Aloe vera, known as the Medicinal Aloe belongs to the Kingdom Plantae, Division, Magnoliophyta, Class Liliopsida, Order Asparagales, Family Asphodelaceae, Genus Aloe and Species A. vera.
The initial place of the development of this plant is located in the northern part of Africa with its evidence of being of medicinal use in the New Testament dating back to the first century AD.
Aloe Vera has been a part of herbal medicine of both the eastern and western civilizations and has been used in countless remedies and now commercial products. The active ingredients in the leaves of Aloe Vera include acetylated mannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, polymannans, anthrones and anthraquinones as well as various lectins. These compounds are said to be of value in diminishing the effects of many metabolic and systemic disorders including perhaps the most anticipated diseases of this century hypertension and diabetes.
There have also been rejuvenating uses of this plant as well as other healing and soothing effects. The chemical extracts from the plant have been use for cosmetic purposes by many companies promising fresher skin.
It is used in many moisturizing creams as well as other beauty treatment products which are marketed by the several cosmetic lines all over the world although their scientific implications have not been approved by all. The aloe vera gel is used in many commercial products such as yogurt, beverages and some desserts.
