Aloe Vera Aloe Barbadensis Mill. By Matthew Matrongolo

Endemic areas Originally only found in certain regions of Africa and Asia Southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, Arabian Peninsula, and various islands of the Indian Ocean However, due to its tremendous economic and medical value, is much more widespread Today is found in all of the continents with the exception on Antarctica

Role in the ecosystem Provide a food source for many African mammals such as certain species of monkeys Reduce land and soil erosion By absorbing massive quantities of water, it prevents runoff from eroding soil and contributing to erosion

Treatments Aloe Vera is one of the most versatile medicinal plants, serving many purposes Aloe Vera acts as a… Cathartic Laxative Emmanogogue Digestive Stimulant Burn Relief Anti Irritant Moisturizer Immune System Stimulant Latex of plant Gel of plant

Chemical compounds and how they affect the body Wound Healing: Glucomannan, a polysaccharide, and gibberellin a growth hormone, interact with the growth factor receptors on fibroblasts, causing the increased proliferation of fibroblasts, increasing the rate of wound healing Burn Prevention: Mechanism is not very well understood, but following the application of aloe gel, the skin produces metallothionein, an antioxidant protein. This in turn reduces the production and release of skin keratinocyte-derived immunosuppressive cytokines such as interleukin-10. Thus, UV induced suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity is prevented Moisturizer: Mucopolysaccharides help in binding moisture and water into the skin, keeping the skin moist

Cont. Anti-Inflammatory: C-glucosyl inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid, reducing inflammation Immune System Stimulant: Acemannan, a mucopolysaccharide stimulates the synthesis and release of Interleukin 1, which attacks cancerous cells Laxative: Anthraquinones increase intestinal water content, stimulates mucus secretions, and increases intestinal peristalsis

Parts of the plant Two main components of the plant are used for medicinal reasons Gel Latex

Preparation Gel: The gel is fairly easy to extract. One must first slit one end of the leaf. Then, a spoon could be used to remove the gel from the leaf The gel is most often used as is, however it can often be combined with antiseptic, or prepared as a drink by being combined with a fruit juice Latex: Once all of the gel is removed from the leaf, the latex can be removed by scraping the inside of the rind to remove the yellowish, sap looking material The latex is often eaten or applied directly to the skin

propagation Aloe vera, like most other plants in the succulent family, reproduce best through a process known as rooting Rooting consists of taking clipping or pieces of the plant and burying it under moist, nutrient rich soil After some time, a new aloe vera plant will grow