Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera Farming Practice India - Soil

2012-02-01T10:17:00.000-08:00

Soil
Aloe vera is grown successfully in marginal to submarginal soils having low fertilty. The plants have tendency to tolerate high pH with high Na and K salts. however, it is observed that its growth was faster under medium fertile heavier soil such as black cotton soil from central india. though well drained loam to coarse sandy soil with moderate fertility and pH upto 8.5 (alkaline) are preferred for its commercial cultivation.

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Aloe Vera Farming Practice India - Climate

2012-02-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

Aloe vera is grown in almost all parts of India, even under constant drought conditions. However crops grow well in entire tropical and sub-tropical regions. Since its water requirements is very low, it is best suited for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions specially in Rajasthan, Gujarat,Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

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Aloe Vera Farming Practice India - Introduction

2012-02-01T09:48:00.000-08:00

Introduction:

Aloe barbadensis Mill. popularly known as Aloe Vera originated in the warm, dry climates of Africa. However, because of its wide adaptability as well as its importance as medicinal plants, it is well distributed.

The virtues of the plant have been recorded by many great civilizations, from those of Persia and Egypt in the Middle East, to those of Greece and Italy in Europe, to those of India and the African continent. The plant is widely known in Asia and the Pacific, and is found in the folklore of the Japanese, the Philippines and the Hawaiians. The Spanish used Aloe, and carried it with them to their new world colonies in South America and the Caribbean. In each age, on each continent, in each culture, Aloe vera has drawn the attention of the most sophisticated minds.

In India, it is grown commercially for its high demand in cosmetic industries as well as in Indian System of MEdicines. The succulent leaves are economic part of this plant. Aloe is known by several names in India as Ghrit Kumari, Kunvar pathu and Indian Aloe. Its multifarious uses as medicinal plants, vegetable, pickle making etc. has inspired growers for commercial cultivation in many parts of the country. The gel produced from its mature leaves is used in cosmetic industry for preparation of shampoo, face creams and moisturising agents.

The characteristic bitter taste of Aloe vera leaves possesses many medicinal properties. the leaves are alterative, stomachic, aphordisiac, cathartic, emmenagogic, astringent, antidotal, anthelminitic and hepatic stimulant. After removing the skin of leaves, they are given in fevers, enlargement of liver, spleen and other glands, skin diseases, gonorrhoea, constipation, menstrual suppression, piles, jaundice, rheumatic diseases and for treatment of burns and bruises.

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Aloe Vera Farming Practice India - Preface

2012-02-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

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 Inda, 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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Aloe Vera Farming Practice India.

2012-02-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

This is a document prepared in 2002 by National Research Center for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

1. Preface
2. Introduction
3. Climate
4. Soil
5. Land Preparation
6. Planting Time
7. Varieties/genotypes
8. Planting Material
9. Spacing and Planting
10. Manuring
11. Irrigation
12. Inter-culture
13. Inter-cropping
14. Insect pests and disease
15. Harvesting and Yield
16. Marketing
17. Processing
18. Chemical Composition
19. Economics

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Aloe Vera: Aloe Barbadensis, Ghikawar, Gwarpatha, Ghritakumari

2012-01-06T23:10:00.000-08:00

Aloe Barbadensis also well known as "Aloe Vera" is a well known indigenous medicinal herb in India. In local language Aloe is also called "Ghikawar" , "Gwarpatha","Ghritakumari" and Musabbar"
In the "Ayurveda" system of medicine aloe vera is prescribed for skin related ailments, diabetes, blood pressure, remove toxins and for laxative purpose. The largest variety and quantity of Aloe is found in Madagascar. 77 species and all 77 species are endemic.

Aloe Vera is a mandated crop for in-depth investigation in India.