✵The article records the herb Aloes, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Aloe vera L., (2) Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger, and (3) Aloe ferox Mill. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these three plants; the characteristics of the herb Aloes; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Aloe (Aloes)
Pinyin Name: Lú Huì
English Name: Aloes
Latin Name:Aloe Properties and Flavor: Cold in nature, bitter in taste
Brief Introduction: The herb Aloe is the dried leaf juice of Aloe barbadensis Mill., Aloe ferox Mill., or related species. It is used (1) as a purgative for constipation, (2) to clear liver fire—treating dizziness, headache, and irritability—and (3) to expel intestinal parasitic worms. The herb is commonly known as Aloe or Lú Huì.
Botanical Source: Common classical herbal works define the herb Aloes (Lú Huì) as the dried juice of (1) Aloe vera L., (2) Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger, or (3) Aloe ferox Mill. These are species of the genus Aloe L., family Asphodelaceae (formerly classified under Liliaceae or Xanthorrhoeaceae), order Asparagales (formerly in order Liliflorae). Some modern classification systems place them in the Asphodelaceae family. These three commonly used species are described below:
(1) Aloe vera L.
Botanical Description:Aloe vera L. is a perennial succulent herb of the family Asphodelaceae and genus Aloe. It is commonly known as Aloe barbadensis Miller or Curacao aloe (Kù Lā Suǒ Lú Huì, meaning “Aloe of Curacao”). Stems are very short. Leaves are clustered at the stem apex, upright or nearly so, thick and succulent; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 15–36 cm long and 2–6 cm wide, with a long-acuminate apex and broad base; color is pinkish-green; margins bear spiny teeth.
Flower stalks (scapes) are solitary or slightly branched, 60–90 cm tall; racemes are sparse; flowers are pendulous, ~2.5 cm long, yellow or with red spots; perianth is tubular and 6-lobed, lobes are slightly excurved; six stamens, anthers inserted in a T-shaped manner; one pistil, 3-locular, each locule containing numerous ovules.
Fruit is a loculicidal capsule, triangular in shape. Flowering occurs from February to March.
Ecological Environment:Aloe vera grows on forest edges, in thickets or open woodlands, and on sunny hillsides—including meadows and sandy soils.
It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant and thrives indoors as a potted plant. It appears in many consumer products, such as beverages, skin lotions, cosmetics, and ointments for minor burns and sunburns.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb occurs as irregular lumps, often broken into polygonal fragments of varying sizes. The surface of aged aloes is brown, dark reddish-brown, or dark brown and dull. It is lightweight, firm and hard, not easily broken; the fracture surface is waxy (racemose), non-glossy, and poorly soluble upon heating. Fresh aloes is brownish-black to greenish, glossy, highly viscous, and readily soluble when heated; its texture is crisp and friable, breaking smoothly with a vitreous (glassy) luster on the fracture surface; it has a distinct sour odor and an intensely bitter taste.
(2) Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger
Botanical Description:Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger is a perennial succulent herb of the family Asphodelaceae and genus Aloe. It is also known as Aloe barbadensis Mill. var. chinensis Haw. or Aloe chinensis (Haw.) Bak., commonly called Zebra Aloe or Bān Wén Lú Huì ("Aloe with markings"). It is a variety of Aloe vera L. The root system is filamentous (whisker-like). Stems are short or absent (acaulescent). Leaves are tufted, spirally arranged, upright, and succulent; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 10–20 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, and 5–8 mm thick, with an acuminate apex and broad, amplexicaul (stem-clasping) base; margins are spiny-denticulate; the lower surface bears characteristic markings.
Flower stalks (scapes) are solitary or branched, 60–90 cm tall; racemes are sparse; pedicels are ~2.5 cm long; flowers are yellow or spotted with purple, subtended by membranous bracts; perianth is tubular and 6-lobed, lobes are slightly excurved; six stamens (sometimes exserted), anthers are bilocular and dorsally inserted; ovary is superior and 3-locular; style is linear.
Fruit is a triangular capsule, ~8 mm long. Flowering occurs from July to August.
Ecological Environment: This plant grows in sunny grasslands and on wild, sun-exposed hillside slopes.
Growth Characteristics:Aloe chinensis Baker grows in well-drained, non-compacting soils. Small amounts of gravel or turfgrass ash may be added to improve drainage. Poorly permeable (clayey) soil impedes root respiration and may cause rot; conversely, excessively sandy soil leads to rapid loss of water and nutrients, resulting in stunted growth.
Temperature: Aloe chinensis Baker is cold-sensitive and requires a frost-free environment year-round. Growth ceases at approximately 5 °C (41 °F); physiological processes are disrupted at 0 °C (32 °F); temperatures below 0 °C cause frost damage. The optimal growth temperature range is 15–35 °C (59–95 °F), with relative humidity of 45–85%.
Moisture: Like all plants, Aloe chinensis Baker requires water but is highly susceptible to waterlogging. During rainy or humid seasons—or when drainage is inadequate—leaves may shrivel and roots may rot and die.
Sunshine: Aloe chinensis Baker requires abundant sunlight for healthy growth. However, newly transplanted plants should be acclimated gradually: morning sun only for the first 10 days, followed by progressively increased exposure over the next 1.5 months until full sun tolerance is achieved.
Fertilizer: Fertilization is essential for all plants. Aloe chinensis Baker requires not only macronutrients (NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) but also trace elements. To maintain its status as a green, natural plant, fermented organic fertilizers are strongly recommended. Suitable options include oilcake fertilizer, chicken manure, and composted manure—of which well-rotted manure is particularly suitable for cultivation.
(3) Aloe ferox Mill.
Botanical Description:Aloe ferox Mill. is a perennial succulent herb of the family Asphodelaceae (formerly placed in Liliaceae) and genus Aloe. It is commonly known as bitter aloe, Cape aloe, giant aloe, or spiny aloe (Hǎo Wàng Jiǎo Lú Huì, meaning "Aloe of the Cape of Good Hope"). Stems are erect, 3–6 m tall; leaves (30–50 per plant) are clustered at the stem apex; leaf blades are lanceolate, 60–80 cm long and ~12 cm wide, spiny-edged, dark green to bluish-green (cyan), and glaucous (covered with a whitish bloom).
Inflorescences are panicles, ~60 cm long; peduncles are ~3 cm long; tepals are tubular and 6-lobed, with slightly excurved apices; color ranges from faint red to yellowish-green, often with green longitudinal stripes; six stamens, with exserted anthers and styles. Fruit is a capsule.
Ecological Environment:Aloe ferox Mill. grows in rocky hill slopes, grassy fynbos vegetation, and along the margins of the Karoo biome.
Growth Characteristics: This species prefers warm climates and is frost-intolerant; it must be cultivated in frost-free regions. If exposed to frost, winter temperatures should remain above 5 °C (41 °F). Aloes are drought-tolerant and thrive in well-aerated, moisture-retentive, fertile soils—avoiding heavy clay.
Characteristics of the Herb: The dried herb has a dark brown to slightly greenish surface with a glossy sheen. It is lightweight, friable, and loosely textured; the fracture surface is vitreous (glassy) and exhibits laminated patterns.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Purgative effect; (2) Hepatoprotective effect; (3) Gastric protective effect; (4) Antibacterial activity: aqueous extracts of Aloe inhibit various dermatophytes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis; (5) Anticancer effect.
Medicinal Efficacy: Promotes bowel movement via purgation; clears liver fire; eliminates heat; expels intestinal parasites; treats infantile malnutrition (dān jī, "spleen-stomach stagnation"). Indications include: constipation due to heat accumulation; headache and dizziness from liver-fire; convulsive disorders (e.g., epilepsy, infantile spasms); amenorrhea; red, painful eyes; infantile convulsions; infantile malnutrition with fever; infantile convulsive epilepsy; infatile malnutrition with fever and parasitic malnutrition; parasitic infestation with abdominal distension and pain; atrophic rhinitis; scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis); detoxification of croton seed (Bà Dòu) poisoning. Externally indicated for tinea, hemorrhoids, and fistulas.
Administration of Aloe (Lú Huì):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Aloe (Lú Huì)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 2–5 grams, preferably formulated as pills or powder. Externally: apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb to the affected area. (2) Internally: formulate as pills or powder, 0.5–1.5 qián (~1.5–4.5 grams). Externally: apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb to the affected area. (3) Internally: formulate as pills, powder, or encapsulated powder, 0.6–1.5 grams; decoction is not recommended. Externally: apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb to the affected area.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Contraindicated during pregnancy, should not be used.
✵The article records the herb Aloes, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Aloe vera L., (2) Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger, and (3) Aloe ferox Mill. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these three plants; the characteristics of the herb Aloes; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Lú Huì
Botanical Description: Aloe vera L. is a perennial succulent herb of the family Asphodelaceae and genus Aloe. It is commonly known as Aloe barbadensis Miller or Curacao aloe (Kù Lā Suǒ Lú Huì, meaning “Aloe of Curacao”). Stems are very short. Leaves are clustered at the stem apex, upright or nearly so, thick and succulent; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 15–36 cm long and 2–6 cm wide, with a long-acuminate apex and broad base; color is pinkish-green; margins bear spiny teeth.
Ecological Environment: Aloe vera grows on forest edges, in thickets or open woodlands, and on sunny hillsides—including meadows and sandy soils.
It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant and thrives indoors as a potted plant. It appears in many consumer products, such as beverages, skin lotions, cosmetics, and ointments for minor burns and sunburns.
Botanical Description: Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger is a perennial succulent herb of the family Asphodelaceae and genus Aloe. It is also known as Aloe barbadensis Mill. var. chinensis Haw. or Aloe chinensis (Haw.) Bak., commonly called Zebra Aloe or Bān Wén Lú Huì ("Aloe with markings"). It is a variety of Aloe vera L. The root system is filamentous (whisker-like). Stems are short or absent (acaulescent). Leaves are tufted, spirally arranged, upright, and succulent; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 10–20 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, and 5–8 mm thick, with an acuminate apex and broad, amplexicaul (stem-clasping) base; margins are spiny-denticulate; the lower surface bears characteristic markings.
Growth Characteristics: Aloe chinensis Baker grows in well-drained, non-compacting soils. Small amounts of gravel or turfgrass ash may be added to improve drainage. Poorly permeable (clayey) soil impedes root respiration and may cause rot; conversely, excessively sandy soil leads to rapid loss of water and nutrients, resulting in stunted growth.
Moisture: Like all plants, Aloe chinensis Baker requires water but is highly susceptible to waterlogging. During rainy or humid seasons—or when drainage is inadequate—leaves may shrivel and roots may rot and die.
Botanical Description: Aloe ferox Mill. is a perennial succulent herb of the family Asphodelaceae (formerly placed in Liliaceae) and genus Aloe. It is commonly known as bitter aloe, Cape aloe, giant aloe, or spiny aloe (Hǎo Wàng Jiǎo Lú Huì, meaning "Aloe of the Cape of Good Hope"). Stems are erect, 3–6 m tall; leaves (30–50 per plant) are clustered at the stem apex; leaf blades are lanceolate, 60–80 cm long and ~12 cm wide, spiny-edged, dark green to bluish-green (cyan), and glaucous (covered with a whitish bloom).
Ecological Environment: Aloe ferox Mill. grows in rocky hill slopes, grassy fynbos vegetation, and along the margins of the Karoo biome.
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