✵The article gives records of the herb Aloes, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source three plant species, ①.Aloe vera L., ②.Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger., ③.Aloe ferox Mill., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three plants, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three plants, the features of the herb Aloes, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Aloe(Aloes).
Pin Yin Name: Lú Huì.
English Name: Aloes.
Latin Name: Aloe.
Property and flavor: cold nature, tastes bitter.
Brief introduction: The herb Aloe is the dried leaf juice of Aloe barbadensis Mill., Aloe ferox Mill., or related species, used (1).as a purgative for constipation, (2).to clear the liver for treating liver fire with dizziness, headache and irritability, and (3).to kill intestinal parasitic worms. The herb is commonly known as Aloe, Lú Huì.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Aloes(Lu Hui) as the dried juice of the plant species (1).Aloe vera L.， or (2).Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger., or (3).Aloe ferox Mill. They are plant species of the Aloe L. genus, the Liliaceae family (lily family) of the Liliflorae order. Some other classification systems classified them into the Xanthorrhoeaceae family. These 3 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Aloe vera L.
Botanical description: The plant, Aloe vera L is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Aloe genus, it is commonly known as Aloe barbadensis miller, or Curacao aloe, Kù Lā Suǒ Lú Huì (means Aloe of Curacao). A perennial herb. The stems are very short. Leaves are clustered on the tip of the stem, upright or nearly upright, hypertrophic and juicy; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 15~36 cm long, 2~6 cm wide, the front tip is long acuminate, the base is wide and broad, pinkish green, edges are spiny denticular.
Scapes (flower stalks) are solitary or slightly branched, 60 ~ 90 cm tall; racemes are sparse; flowers are pendulous, about 2.5 cm long, yellow or have red spots; perianth is tubular, 6-lobed, lobes are slightly excurved (curved outward); six stamens, anther is inserted in T-shape; one pistil, 3-loculed, each cell has many ovules.
Capsularfruit, triangular, loculicidal dehiscent. Its flowering period is from February to March.
Ecological environment: Aloe vera grows in the forest edge, thickets, or sparse forest, also found in meadows on hillsides or meadows, bush wood and sandy land. Geographical distribution: This species was native to the northern part of Africa and is currently widely cultivated in the western indies islands of South America, and it now grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated in many countries for agricultural and medicinal uses, also cultivated in China. There are 2 varietas of Aloe Vera L. in China, one is Aloe chinensis Baker, and another is Shangnong Big-leaf Aloe.
The species is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. It is found in many consumer products including beverages, skin lotion, cosmetics, or ointments for minor burns and sunburns.
Characters of herbs: The herb is in irregular blocks (irregular lumpy), often broken into polygonal shapes of different sizes. The surface of old aloe herb is brown, dark reddish-brown, or dark brown, dull. The herb is light, the texture of the herb is firm and hard, not easily broken, the fracture surface is raceous (waxy), not glossy, and not easy to dissolve when it is heated. The surface of the new aloe herb is brownish-black in color and green, glossy, strong viscidity, and easily dissolves when it is heated; the texture of the herb is crisp and friable, easily broken, the broken surface is smooth and has hyaloid glossy (vitroclastic glossy); has an obvious sour flavor, and it tastes extremely bitter.
(2).Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger.
Botanical description: The plant, Aloe vera L.var.chinensis (Haw.) Berger is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Aloe genus, it is also known as Aloe barbadensis Mill.var.chinensis Haw., or Aloe chinensis (Haw.) Bak., commonly known as Aloe chinensis Baker, or Aloe chinensis Berger, Zebra Aloe, Bān Wén Lú Huì (means Aloe with markings), is one varietas of Aloe vera L. A perennial succulent herb. The root system is whisker-like (whisker-shaped). Stems are short or acaulescent (stemless). Leaves are tufty, spirally arranged, upright, and hypertrophic; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 10~20 cm long, 1.5~2.5 cm wide, 5-8 mm thick, the front tip is acuminate, the base is broad and amplexicaular (stem-clasping), edges are spiny denticular, the under surface has markings.
Scapes (flower stalks) are solitary or branched, 60~90 cm tall; racemes are sparse; pedicles are about 2.5 cm long; flowers are yellow or have purple spots, has membraneous bracts; perianth is tubular (tube-like), 6-lobed, lobes are slightly excurved (curved outward); 6 stamens, sometimes are protuberant, anthers are 2-loculed, inserted on back; ovary is superior, 3-loculed, style is linear (filate).
Capsularfruit is triangular, about 8 mm long. Its flowering period is from July to August.
Ecological environment: The plant grows in the sunny grass and wild sunny hillside. Geographical distribution: It is mainly cultivated in Yuanjiang of Yunnan province, the Zhujiang river area, and the southwest area of China, also cultivated in Southeast Asian countries, mainly in areas with overseas Chinese.
Growth characteristics: Aloe chinensis Baker grows in well-drained soils that are well-drained and hard to compact. In general, some gravel ash can be added to the soil. It is better to add some turfgrass ash. Poor permeability of the soil will block the roots from breathing, and rot, but sandy soil with many sands often causes the loss of water and nutrients, making the aloe poor growth.
Temperature: Aloe chinensis Baker is afraid of the cold. It grows in a frost-free environment throughout the year. The growth is stopped at about 5 °C (Celsius, or 41 degrees Fahrenheit). At 0 °C (Celsius, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit), the life process is disturbed. If the temperature is below 0 °C (Celsius, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit), it would cause frostbite. The most suitable temperature for growth is 15~35 °C (Celsius, or 59~95 degrees Fahrenheit) and the humidity is 45-85%.
Moisture: Like all plants, Aloe chinensis Baker also needs water, but it is afraid of waterlogging. In the rainy and humid season or when the drainage is not good, the leaves will easily shrivel and the roots will rot and die.
Sunshine: Aloe chinensis Baker needs sufficient sunlight to grow. It should be noted that the newly planted aloe is not suitable for the sun. It is better to be exposed to the sunlight only in the morning. The plant will slowly adapt to thrive in the sun in the next ten days and a half months.
Fertilizer: Fertilizer is indispensable for any plant. Aloe chinensis Baker not only needs NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) but also some trace elements. To ensure that aloe vera is a green natural plant, it is necessary to use fermented organic fertilizer as much as possible. Cake fertilizer, chicken manure, and compost can be used. Manure is more suitable for planting aloe vera.
(3).Aloe ferox Mill.
Botanical description: The plant, Aloe ferox Mill is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Aloe genus, it is commonly known as Aloe ferox, bitter aloe, Cape Aloe, Giant Aloe, Spiny Aloe, Hǎo Wàng Jiǎo Lú Huì (means Aloe of the Cape of Good Hope), stems are upright, 3~6 meters high, 30~50 leaves, clustered on the tip of stem; leaf blades are lanceolate, 60~80 cm long, width is about 12 cm, spiny, dark green to cyan (blue-green), glaucous (covered with white powder).
Panicles are about 60 cm long; peduncles are about 3 cm long; tepals are tubular (tube-like), 6-lobed, the apical tip of lobes is slightly excurved, faint red to yellowish-green, has green stripes; 6 stamens, anthers and styles are exposed. Capsularfruit.
Ecological environment: Aloe ferox Mill grows in rocky areas-on hills, in grassy fynbos, and on the edges of the Karoo (karroo). Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in Southern Africa, across the southern Cape, from Swellendam and the Overberg district in the west, throughout almost the whole extent of the Eastern Cape, eastwards as far as southern KwaZulu-Natal, and northwards into the southern parts of the Free State and Lesotho.
Growth characteristics: The plant prefers a warm environment, afraid of cold, should be planted throughout frost-free areas, if frosted, winter temperature should not be lower than 5 °C (Celsius, or 41 degrees Fahrenheit). Aloes are happy and drought-tolerant, require soil moisture, fertility, and loose air, and avoid clay.
Characters of herbs: The surface of the herb is dark brown, slightly green, and glossy. The herb is light, the texture of the herb is loose, and fragile, the fracture surface is hyaloid (glass-like) and has layered patterns.
Pharmacological actions: ①.purgative effect; ②.liver protection effect; ③.protective effect of the stomach; ④. bacteriostasic activity: Aloe water extract has an inhibitory effect on a variety of dermatophytes and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis; ⑤.anti-cancer effect.
Medicinal efficacy: Relieving constipation by purgation, clear liver and purging fire, clear heat, kill parasites and treat malntrition. It is indicated for heat accumulation and constipation, liver-fire headache, convulsive epilepsy and hyperspasmia, women's amenorrhea, red eyes and infantile convulsion, infantile malnutritional stagnation, infantile convulsive epilepsy, infatile malnutrition with fever and parasitic malnutrition, parasitic malnutrition and abdominal pain, atrophic rhinitis, scrofula (lymphoid tuberculosis); detoxify poisoning of croton seed, externally for tinea sore, hemorrhoid and fistula, etc.
Administration of Aloe (Lú Huì):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Aloe (Lú Huì)
TCM Books:
①.Internally: 2~5 grams, better prepare to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount, prepare to finely ground herb powder, apply stick at affected area; ②.Internally:prepare to pill, powder, 0.5~1.5 qian (about 1.5~4.5 grams). Externally:prepare to finely ground herb powder, apply stick at affected area; ③.Internally:prepare to pill, powder,or prepare to finely ground herb powder and pack in capsule, 0.6~1.5 grams;not prepare to decoction. Externally:proper amount, prepare to finely ground herb powder, apply stick at affected area.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions:the herb Aloe should avoid using during pregnancy.
✵The article gives records of the herb Aloes, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source three plant species, ①.Aloe vera L., ②.Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger., ③.Aloe ferox Mill., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three plants, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three plants, the features of the herb Aloes, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Lú Huì.
Botanical description: The plant, Aloe vera L is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Aloe genus, it is commonly known as Aloe barbadensis miller, or Curacao aloe, Kù Lā Suǒ Lú Huì (means Aloe of Curacao). A perennial herb. The stems are very short. Leaves are clustered on the tip of the stem, upright or nearly upright, hypertrophic and juicy; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 15~36 cm long, 2~6 cm wide, the front tip is long acuminate, the base is wide and broad, pinkish green, edges are spiny denticular.
Ecological environment: Aloe vera grows in the forest edge, thickets, or sparse forest, also found in meadows on hillsides or meadows, bush wood and sandy land. Geographical distribution: This species was native to the northern part of Africa and is currently widely cultivated in the western indies islands of South America, and it now grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated in many countries for agricultural and medicinal uses, also cultivated in China. There are 2 varietas of Aloe Vera L. in China, one is Aloe chinensis Baker, and another is Shangnong Big-leaf Aloe.
The species is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. It is found in many consumer products including beverages, skin lotion, cosmetics, or ointments for minor burns and sunburns.
Botanical description: The plant, Aloe vera L.var.chinensis (Haw.) Berger is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Aloe genus, it is also known as Aloe barbadensis Mill.var.chinensis Haw., or Aloe chinensis (Haw.) Bak., commonly known as Aloe chinensis Baker, or Aloe chinensis Berger, Zebra Aloe, Bān Wén Lú Huì (means Aloe with markings), is one varietas of Aloe vera L. A perennial succulent herb. The root system is whisker-like (whisker-shaped). Stems are short or acaulescent (stemless). Leaves are tufty, spirally arranged, upright, and hypertrophic; leaf blades are narrowly lanceolate, 10~20 cm long, 1.5~2.5 cm wide, 5-8 mm thick, the front tip is acuminate, the base is broad and amplexicaular (stem-clasping), edges are spiny denticular, the under surface has markings.
Growth characteristics: Aloe chinensis Baker grows in well-drained soils that are well-drained and hard to compact. In general, some gravel ash can be added to the soil. It is better to add some turfgrass ash. Poor permeability of the soil will block the roots from breathing, and rot, but sandy soil with many sands often causes the loss of water and nutrients, making the aloe poor growth.
Moisture: Like all plants, Aloe chinensis Baker also needs water, but it is afraid of waterlogging. In the rainy and humid season or when the drainage is not good, the leaves will easily shrivel and the roots will rot and die.
Botanical description: The plant, Aloe ferox Mill is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Aloe genus, it is commonly known as Aloe ferox, bitter aloe, Cape Aloe, Giant Aloe, Spiny Aloe, Hǎo Wàng Jiǎo Lú Huì (means Aloe of the Cape of Good Hope), stems are upright, 3~6 meters high, 30~50 leaves, clustered on the tip of stem; leaf blades are lanceolate, 60~80 cm long, width is about 12 cm, spiny, dark green to cyan (blue-green), glaucous (covered with white powder).
Ecological environment: Aloe ferox Mill grows in rocky areas-on hills, in grassy fynbos, and on the edges of the Karoo (karroo). Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in Southern Africa, across the southern Cape, from Swellendam and the Overberg district in the west, throughout almost the whole extent of the Eastern Cape, eastwards as far as southern KwaZulu-Natal, and northwards into the southern parts of the Free State and Lesotho.
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