This is a document prepared in 2002 by National Research Center for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.
The first detailed discussion of Aloe's medicinal value is probably that which is found in Papyrus ebers, an Egyptian document written about 1550 B.C. This document gives 12 formulas for mixing Aloe with other agents to treat both internal and external human disorders. The first milestone in Western man's detailed understanding of medicinal plants is the work of Hippocrites (460 B.C -375 B.C), the father of modern medicine (doctors today still take the Hippocratic Oath) His Materia Medica makes no direct mention of Aloe, but during the same period, according to Chopra's Indigenous Drugs of India, this plant came into widespread use. Interestingly Chopra writes, "The use of Aloes, the common musabbar, for external application to inflamed painful parts of the body and for causing purgation [internal cleansing] are too well known in India to need any special mention"
At present, Aloe vera has little official standing in the western medical community. In spite of the lack of official promotion, it is among the most widely used substances in the U.S. for the treatment of burns and bruises. Additionally it is used in a plethora of cosmetics, and also consumed as a health drink. While it has not yet won the full endorsement of the medical community, serious examination continues. at moment, it may be taken as an indication of serious nature of such a study that the FDA has approved development aimed at the eventual use of Aloe Vera in the treatment of cancer and AIDS! more and more attention is turning to Aloe's un-examined possibilities as a powerful healing agent.
This crop has rightly been included as one of the mandated crops of NRC for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for in-depth investigations. Package of practices presented in this bulletin is to provide information to the farmers available so far which of course needs refinement on future.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Dr Gautam Kallo, Deputy Director General (Horticulture) and Dr. R.N. Pal, Asstant Director General (Plantation Crops) for the encouragement that I received time to time for this publication. Assistance of Kunal Mandal, Scientist (Plant Pathology) for printing and Mr. Suresh Patelia, for secretarial help is also acknowledged
Anand Feb 7,2002 Satyabrata Maiti
The first detailed discussion of Aloe's medicinal value is probably that which is found in Papyrus ebers, an Egyptian document written about 1550 B.C. This document gives 12 formulas for mixing Aloe with other agents to treat both internal and external human disorders. The first milestone in Western man's detailed understanding of medicinal plants is the work of Hippocrites (460 B.C -375 B.C), the father of modern medicine (doctors today still take the Hippocratic Oath) His Materia Medica makes no direct mention of Aloe, but during the same period, according to Chopra's Indigenous Drugs of India, this plant came into widespread use. Interestingly Chopra writes, "The use of Aloes, the common musabbar, for external application to inflamed painful parts of the body and for causing purgation [internal cleansing] are too well known in India to need any special mention"
At present, Aloe vera has little official standing in the western medical community. In spite of the lack of official promotion, it is among the most widely used substances in the U.S. for the treatment of burns and bruises. Additionally it is used in a plethora of cosmetics, and also consumed as a health drink. While it has not yet won the full endorsement of the medical community, serious examination continues. at moment, it may be taken as an indication of serious nature of such a study that the FDA has approved development aimed at the eventual use of Aloe Vera in the treatment of cancer and AIDS! more and more attention is turning to Aloe's un-examined possibilities as a powerful healing agent.
This crop has rightly been included as one of the mandated crops of NRC for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for in-depth investigations. Package of practices presented in this bulletin is to provide information to the farmers available so far which of course needs refinement on future.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Dr Gautam Kallo, Deputy Director General (Horticulture) and Dr. R.N. Pal, Asstant Director General (Plantation Crops) for the encouragement that I received time to time for this publication. Assistance of Kunal Mandal, Scientist (Plant Pathology) for printing and Mr. Suresh Patelia, for secretarial help is also acknowledged
Anand Feb 7,2002 Satyabrata Maiti
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