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CLASSIFICATION

ORDER	: Asparagales
FAMILY	: Xanthoorrhoeaceae
GENUS	: Aloe L.
SPECIES	: vera L.
BOTANICAL NAME	: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
SYNONYMS	: Aloe vulgaris Lam.
COMMON NAME	: Aloe vera, Burn plant.
TAMIL NAME	: Kathalai.
HINDI NAME	: Gheekumari

PLANT DESCRIPTION

HABIT :  Succulent.

STEM :  Very short on which vase like leaves are arranged in rosette manner.

LEAVES :  Radical, very fleshy, broad at base, narrowed from base to apex, pale green with distant horny prickles on the margins.

INFLORESCENCE :  Raceme, 15 - 30 cm long, flowers on scape 60 - 90 cm long, simple or branched.

FLOWERS :  Small, tubular yellowish orange. Perianthabout an inch or more in length, segment 6, concave. Stamens 6 - filaments slender.Anthers versatile. Ovary superior, 3 - celled, ovules many, styles exerted, stigma small.

FRUIT :  Capsule, 3 - angled.

FLOWERING AND FRUITING TIME :  August - December.

MEDICINAL USES

Aloe is used topically (applied to the skin) and orally.

Antioxidants are important for health. Aloe vera gel contains Trusted Source powerful antioxidants belonging to a large family of substances known as polyphenols.

Topical use of aloe is promoted for acne, lichen planus (a very itchy rash on the skin or in the mouth), oral submucous fibrosis, burning mouth syndrome, burns, and radiation-induced skin toxicity.

IMAGES

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