Ø Rejuvenates each and every part of the body

Ø Ensures proper nutrition to every cell of the body

Ø Useful in enlargement of spleen and liver

Ø Useful in all skin diseases

Ø Supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns

Ø Reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis

Common Name:

Indian Aloe

Sanskrit Name:

Kumari

Gruhakanya

Ghrutakumarika: As its leaf marrow is of the consistency of Ghruta (Clarified Indian butter)

Gheekunwar

Gwarpatha

Dhekawar 

Lt. Name:

Aloe Vera - Lilliaceae

Bio energetics:

Rasa (Taste) – Katu (Pungent)

Guna (Characteristics) – Guru (Heavy); Snigdha (Unctuous); Pichchhilia (Slimy)

Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold)

Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent) 

Chemical composition:

The aloe plant, being a cactus plant, is between 99 and 99.5 per cent water, with an average pH of 4.5. The remaining solid material contains over 75 different ingredients including vitamins (vitamins A, C and F; Vitamins B - thiamine, niacin, vitamin B₂ - riboflavin, choline and folic acid), minerals (Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium and iron), enzymes (amylase and lipase), sugars (mono- and polysaccharides), anthraquinones or phenolic compounds (Barbaloin-lO- (1151— anhydroglucosyl) — aloe-emodin-9-anthrone), lsobarbaloin, Anthrone-C-glycosides and chromones.), lignin, saponins, sterols (Campesterol, f3 Sitosterol and Lupeol), amino acids (Aloe vera gel provides 20 of the 22 necessary amino acids required by the human body and seven of the eight essential amino acids which the body cannot synthesize) and salicylic acid. 

Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):

Ghrutkumari pacifies Kapha and Pitta so it is useful in all diseases which originate from Kapha aggravation/ Pitta aggravation or Kapha Pitta aggravation.

Actions according to Ayurveda:

• Bhedani: Ghrutkumari is softens the impacted and hardened stool.
  
• Netrya: Ghrutkumari is rejuvenating tonic for eyes.
  
• Rasayani : Ghrutkumari rejuvenates each and every part of the body
  
• Bruhamni: Ghrutkumari ensures proper nutrition to every cell of the body
  
• Balya: Ghrutkumari enhances strength of the body.
  
• Vrushya: Ghrutkumari specially nourishes the genital organs; so even an old person also enjoys his sexual life like a young fellow when he is taking Ghrutkumari.
  
• Pleeha- Yakrut Vruddhi Haret: Ghrutkumari is useful in enlargement of spleen and liver of any origin.
  
• Kushthsghni: Ghrutkumari is useful in all skin diseases.
  
• Kasa Shwas Hara: Ghrutkumari is useful in management of respiratory discomfort and all types of cough.
  
• Pushpu Janano: Ghrutkumari stimulates menstrual bleeding.
  
• Garbha Patana: Ghrutkumari induces abortion so it should e taken carefully.
  

Medicinal value:

• A review (2007) concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns.
  
• Maenthaisong R, Chaiyakunapruk N, Niruntraporn S et al. (2007). "The efficacy of aloe vera for burn wound healing: a systematic review.” Burns.
• In addition to topical use in wound or burn healing, internal intake of Aloe vera has been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, and with lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients, but also with acute hepatitis (liver disease). 
  
• Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Bunyapraphatsara N, Chokechaijaroenporn O. (1996) Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine 3: 241–243.
• Bunyapraphatsara N, Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Chokechaijaroenporn O. (1996) Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. II. Clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide. Phytomedicine 3: 245–248.
• Nassiff HA, Fajardo F, Velez F. (1993) Effecto del aloe sobre la hiperlipidemia en pacientes refractarios a la dieta. Rev Cuba Med Gen Integr 9:43–51
• Bottenberg MM, Wall GC, Harvey RL, Habib S (October 2007). "Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis". The Annals of pharmacotherapy 41 (10): 1740–3. doi:10.1345/aph.1K132. PMID 17726067.
• Preliminary studies have suggested oral Aloe vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis.
  
• Langmead L, Feakins RM, Goldthorpe S, et al. (April 2004). "Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis". Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 19 (7): 739–47. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01902.x. PMID 15043514.

Useful part:

Leaves

Doses:

Juice of leaves: 10- 15 ml; Powder: 1-3 gm

Some combinations with:

Kumaryasava; Kumarika Vati; Rajah Pravarttani Vati; Kumari Paka

Contraindications:

Ghruta Kumari should not be taken for a long period as prolonged use of Ghruta Kumari may cause hemorrhoids. It should also not be taken during pregnancy and in condition where there is too much menstrual bleeding. 

Known Interactions

Aloe vera, due to its cathartic activity, may potentiate anticoagulant therapy by reducing absorption of Vitamin K from the gut. This herb may also inhibit absorption of dextrose from the intestines. As it is a cathartic herb, aloe vera may increase the intestinal transit time of digitalis glycosides, thereby inhibiting absorption and cardiac action. It should also be noted that cathartic induce hypokalemia increase the toxicity and potency of absorbed digitalis as well as potentiating muscle relaxants. In addition to the specific interactions listed, the cathartic action of aloe vera tends to hasten the passage of all oral medications through the gut, thus inhibiting their action.

Possible Interactions