Aloe
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Aloe, also written Aloë, is a genus containing about four hundred species of flowering succulent plants.
The genus is native to Africa and is common in South Africa's Cape Province and the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula and the islands off Africa.
The APG II system (2003) placed the genus in the family Asphodelaceae. In the past it has also been assigned to families Aloaceae and Liliaceae. Members of the closely allied genera Gasteria, Haworthia and Kniphofia which have a similar mode of growth, are also popularly known as aloes. Note that the plant sometimes called "American aloe" (Agave americana), belongs to Agavaceae, a different family.
Most Aloes have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, pink or red and are borne on densely clustered, simple or branched leafless stems.
Many species of Aloe are seemingly stemless, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some aloes native to South Africa have large trunks and are called aloe trees. [1]
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[edit] Uses
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Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many Aloe species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. It is claimed to have some medicinal effects which have been supported by scientific and medical research - see references on article on Aloe Vera.
[edit] Historical uses
Humans have used aloe since the era of Ancient Egypt. Cleopatra was said to have used aloe as a beauty tool. The Egyptians discovered the healing powers of aloe and used it as one of the ingredients of embalming fluid. In the 10th Century, the Europeans were introduced, where it became an important ingredient in many herbal medicines. By the 16th Century, aloe arrived in the West Indies, where it is grown and harvested still today.[citation needed]
There are over 300 types of aloe, but only a mere few were used traditionally as an herbal medicine. This includes aloe perryi (found in northeastern Africa) and aloe ferox (found in South Africa). But the one that tops the list of popularity is aloe vera. It was and still is the most commonly used type of aloe. The Greeks and Romans used aloe to treat wounds. In the Middle Ages, the yellowish liquid found inside the leaves was favored as a purgative.[citation needed]
Some species, in particular Aloe vera are used in alternative medicines and in home first aid. Both the translucent inner pulp and the resinous yellow exudate from wounding the Aloe plant are used externally to relieve skin discomforts. Systematic reviews of randomised and controlled clinical trials have provided no evidence that Aloe vera has a strong medicinal effect.[2][3] Other research however suggests Aloe vera can significantly slow wound healing compared to normal protocols of treatment.[4]
Today, the gel found in the leaves is used for soothing minor burns, wounds, and various skin conditions like eczema and ringworm. The use of this herbal medicine was popularized in the 1950's in many Western Countries. The gel's effect is nearly immediate, plus it also applies a layer over wounds that is said to reduce the chance of any infection.[4]
There have been very few properly conducted studies about possible benefits of aloe gel taken internally, since the Aloe extract is toxic, yet apparently anti-carcinogenic. Data also suggests that components of Aloe inhibit tumor growth.[5] There have been some studies in animal models which indicate that extracts of Aloe have a significant anti-hyperglycemic effect, and may be useful in treating Type II diabetes. These studies have not been confirmed in humans.[6]
On May 9, 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule banning the use of aloe and cascara sagrada as laxative ingredients in over-the-counter drug products.[7]
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[edit] Chemical properties
According to W. A. Shenstone, two classes of aloins are to be recognized: (1) nataloins, which yield picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, and do not give a red coloration with nitric acid; and (2) barbaloins, which yield aloetic acid (C7H2N3O5), chrysammic acid (C7H2N2O6), picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, being reddened by the acid. This second group may be divided into a-barbaloins, obtained from Barbadoes aloes, and reddened in the cold, and b-barbaloins, obtained from Socotrine and Zanzibar aloes, reddened by ordinary nitric acid only when warmed or by fuming acid in the cold. Nataloin (2C17H13O7·H2O) forms bright yellow scales. Barbaloin (C17H18O7) prismatic crystals. Aloes also contain a trace of volatile oil, to which its odour is due.[citation needed]
[edit] Popular culture
The aloe plant (A. rubrolutea) occurs as a charge in heraldry, such as in the Civic Heraldry of Namibia.[8]
An aloe tree appeared on stamps issued in 1919 by Batum, a semi-autonomous region of Georgia in the South Caucasus region.
[edit] Species
There are around 400 species in the genus Aloe. For a full list, see List of species of genus Aloe. Species include:
- Aloe arborescens - Aloe Arborescens Miller, used in healthcare
- Aloe aristata - Torch Plant, Lace Aloe
- Aloe dichotoma - quiver tree or kokerboom
- Aloe nyeriensis
- Aloe variegata - Partridge-breasted Aloe, Tiger Aloe
- Aloe vera Barbados Aloe, Common Aloe, Yellow Aloe, Medicinal Aloe. This is the variety used medicinally.
- Aloe wildii
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Images of aloe trees.
- ^ Richardson J, Smith JE, McIntyre M, Thomas R, Pilkington K (2005). "Aloe vera for preventing radiation-induced skin reactions: a systematic literature review". Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 17 (6): 478–84. PMID 16149293.
- ^ Ernst E, Pittler MH, Stevinson C (2002). "Complementary/alternative medicine in dermatology: evidence-assessed efficacy of two diseases and two treatments". Am J Clin Dermatol 3 (5): 341–8. PMID 12069640.
- ^ a b Schmidt JM, Greenspoon JS (1991). "Aloe vera dermal wound gel is associated with a delay in wound healing". Obstet Gynecol 78 (1): 115–7. PMID 2047051.
- ^ "Final report on the safety assessment of aloe andongensis extract, aloe andongensis leaf juice, aloe arborescens leaf extract, aloe arborescens leaf juice, aloe arborescens leaf protoplasts, aloe barbadensis flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, aloe barbadensis leaf polysaccharides, aloe barbadensis leaf water, aloe ferox leaf extract, aloe ferox leaf juice, and aloe ferox leaf juice extract" (2007). Int. J. Toxicol. 26 Suppl 2: 1–50. doi:. PMID 17613130.
- ^ Tanaka M, Misawa E, Ito Y, Habara N, Nomaguchi K, Yamada M, Toida T, Hayasawa H, Takase M, Inagaki M, Higuchi R (2006). "Identification of five phytosterols from Aloe vera gel as anti-diabetic compounds". Biol. Pharm. Bull. 29 (7): 1418–22. PMID 16819181.
- ^ "Status of certain additional over-the-counter drug category II and III active ingredients. Final rule" (2002). Fed Regist 67 (90): 31125–7. PMID 12001972.
- ^ "NAMIBIA - WINDHOEK". Retrieved on 2008-01-24.
[edit] External links
- Etymology of Aloe
- "Aloe in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". Retrieved on 2008-01-24.
[edit] Images
 Aloe saponaria flower |
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