ALOE VERA (Natural Coolant)

ALOE VERA a small plant but it's action speaks more than its size, as it helps in many diseased condition and maintain our skin's health.It not only maintains health of our skin cells but also prevents it from dust and micro-organisms.

During the scorching heat of summers our skin has to face many problems,this plant is a solution to all those.

Aloe vera is one of the most used plant in gynaecological problems.

In tropical therapeutic application aloe gel is used as a purgative.

Aloe gel is also used in pains, itching, ulceration, keratosis.

In this article :-

A) General talk about kumari (aloe vera)

B) Helpful actions

C) Rasa-panchaka (properties)

D) Intake recipes

E) Part used

F) Indications

G) Contra-indications

H) Side effects

I) Formulations

A) General talk about KUMARI (Aloe vera)

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill.) is a natural cosmetic herb that belongs to LILIACAEA family. It consists of succulent fleshy thick leaves with gel present inside them. Many thorns are present at leaves margin. Pinkish red inflorescence is present arising at the top of middle stalk. Aloe vera is mainly found in Africa, India, Spain, China and in many other countries.

Other names of aloe vera according to ayurvedic text are Kumari, Ghritkumari, Grahkanya, Grahkumari.

For the first time kumari was explained by Bhavprakash. Some description of it is also found in amarkosh.

ELUA (secretery part of Aloe)

1) Take some fresh succulent leaves and wash them with water properly.

2) Cut a single leaf into 2-3 pieces.

3) Collect the yellow colour exudate(secretion) secreted from the leaves.

4) The exudate collected solidify when it cools down.

5) Elua is ready.

Four different types of elua are described in British pharmacopoeia.

• Curacao or Barbados aloes

• Socotrine aloes

• Zangibar aloes

• Cape aloes

B) Helpful Actions 

1) Rasayana

2) Helps in skin related problems

3) Prevents hair loses

4) Makes the skin fresh and wrinkle free

5) Relieves heart burn

6) Increases body strength

7) Increases fertility power

8) Kills the dental plague

9) Helps to treat cancer sores

10) Helps in eye maintenance

11) Helps to reduce the body weight

12) Anti-oxidant

13) Anti-bacterial

14) Helps in digestive problems

15) Repairing and healing of a wound

16) Removes toxins 

17) Lowers blood sugar level

Helps in the treatment of :-

1) Fever

2) Skin problems

3) Wounds and injuries

4) Any type of burns

5) Anaemia

6) Jaundice

7) Oligomenorrhea

8) Amenorrhea

9) Swelling

10) Hepatomegaly

11) Splenomegaly

12) Mouth ulcers

13) Blood related disorders

14) Piles

15) Toxicity

C) Rasa-panchaka (Properties)

Swarasa

• Rasa :- Madhur, Tikta

• Guna :- Guru, Snigdha

• Veerya :- Sheeta

• Vipaka :- Madhur

• Prabhava(specific actions) :- Bheden

Elua 

• Rasa :-  Tikta

• Guna :- Laghu, ruksha, tikshna

• Veerya :- Ushna

• Vipaka :- Katu

Doshakarma of aloe vera :- Tridoshaghna

D) Intake Recipes

SWARASA

1) Take some fresh leaves of aloe vera and wash them with water properly.

2) With the help of a knife split the leaves longitudinally.

3) Scrap the leaf gel with the help of spoon and collect in a bowl.

4) Add the collected gel into the grinder and grind it properly to make a juice.

5) Swarasa is ready.

You can directly eat the aloe vera gel (but remember to remove the yellow exudate)and also give massage to your face. Gel application reduces the redness and itching on the skin.

E) Part used

                                  Leaf pulp

F) Indications 

1) Kumari swarasa + haridra churna -

Pain, swelling, wounds, fever, splenomegaly, blood related problems, piles, skin related problems, Netra-abhishiandi.

2) Kumari swarasa - Burns

3) Kumari swarasa + Navsagar -

Fever, Hepatomegaly

4) Kumariyaasava - Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea

5) Aloe gel - local application on the skin

G) Contra-indications 

1) People allergic to Aloe Vera

2) Pregnancy

3) Hemorrhoids

H) Side-effects 

1) Stomach ache and cramps (if overdosed)

2) Hypoglycemia

3) Constipation

4) Acidity

5) Diarrhoea, kidney problems, muscles weakness, heart disturbance ( if overdosed for longer duration)

I) Formulations 

1) Kumariyaasava

2) Raja pravartini vati

3) Kumar vati

4) Kumar paka

                                        

Our skin is like a flower petal. It'll only look beautiful when treated with the correct nutrient.

                                                       - AYUR REALM