Aloe commanly known as Kumari or Kanya which means Virgrin Girl" perhaps has been named so as it gives tenderness, softness and juvenility of a young girl and makes you look young than your age.
Aloe has been used in medicines and cosmetics since the time of Greeks & Egyptians, and believed to have been used by Cleopatra to keep her complexion clear and soft. The Aloe, vera Linn (Family : Liliaceae) is a very tall, strikingly attractive perennial plant which grows wild in the tropics, mainly in Africa & South Africa. Now it has been cultivated widely for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The plant is xerophytic and bears a rosette of leaves which are thick, fleshy, sessile and spiny, Flowers are red or yellow. The Aloe contains anthraglycosides as its active principles. The other consitituents are polysaccharies steroids, organic acid, enzymes, antibiotic principles, amino acids, biogenic stimulators, wound healing hormones, saponins and minerals.
Aloe is reported to have various pharmacological activities like cathartic, purgative, anticancer & antiviral, immunomodulator, analgesic, anti - inflammatory, wound healing and antiaging. Fresh aloe vera gel is well known as a domestic medicine and the fresh gel has the property of relieving thermal burns and sunburn as well as promotring wound healing. It also has moisturising & emollient properties. One of the most valuable cosmetic properties of aloe is its ability to stimulate the circulation of the skin and remove dead skin so giving freshness and younger appearance to skin. It also clear away blemishes, protects, the skin against infection and reduces wrinkles.
Aloe vera shampoo helps to combat dry brittle hair and used in shampoo for dry & damaged hair. Aloe vera gel is soothing healing & astringent and when used externally it helps to keep the skin healthy.
Aloe vera has been shown to have antiaging properties. Oil in water extracts of aloe when used externally claimed to significantly increase the soluble collagen level suggesting to topical antiaging effects.