Medicinal Plants

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Lidah Buaya

Asphodelaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Aloe vera (Lidah Buaya) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Aloe vera (Lidah Buaya) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Aloe vera (Lidah Buaya)

Summary

Aloe vera (Aloe vera) is a succulent 30-100 cm tall of the Asphodelaceae family, originating from the Arabian Peninsula and now spread across tropical, semi-tropical, and arid regions worldwide. The clear gel inside its leaves has been used for centuries as a natural skin moisturizer as well as a drink ingredient such as nata de aloe vera. Its polysaccharide enzyme content is also believed to improve digestion and speed up wound healing.

Agroecology

Grows in lowlands to highlands at elevations up to 1,500 m above sea level. However, for best results, it is cultivated at elevations below 1,000 m above sea level. Optimum temperature for growth is 28-32 °C, ideal pH 5.5-6. Soil that is too acidic hinders growth. This plant is drought-tolerant.

Morphology

  • Roots short fibrous roots at the soil surface, 50-100 cm long.
  • Stem short, densely covered with leaves.
  • Leaves long like a sword, tightly coiled around the stem, thick, soft and mucilaginous flesh, tapering tip, watery (succulent), veinless, green in color.
  • Flowers stalked, 60-90 cm long, reddish-yellow (orange) in color, emerging from leaf axils.

Cultivation

Propagation can be done by separating offshoots from the parent plant and by leaf cuttings.

Chemical Content

Aloin, barbaloin, isobarbaloin, aloe-emodin, emodin, aloenin, aloesin, β-barboloin, flavonoids, sterols, anthraquinones, saponins, salicylic acid.

Benefits

Treats constipation, maintains digestive health (stomach acid/ulcers), skin care, treats dizziness/headaches, addresses malnutrition, diabetes, hemorrhoids, promotes hair growth, wound healing, reduces dandruff.

Simplisia

Not yet available 

Local Names

Ilat baya (Java) and Letah buaya (Sunda).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Maintaining Digestive Health (Stomach Acid/Ulcers) from Lidah Buaya

1. Maintaining Digestive Health (Stomach Acid/Ulcers)

  • Prepare 2 medium-sized aloe vera stalks.
  • Take the flesh fiber of the aloe vera and cut into cubes. Put the pieces into a glass of warm water.
  • Drink in the morning before eating when stomach acid is flaring up.
  • To prevent stomach acid from recurring, drink once a month.
Traditional recipe Skin Care from Lidah Buaya

2. Skin Care

  • Wash 2 aloe vera stalks thoroughly and cut into small pieces.
  • Slice with a sharp knife to extract the flesh and place in a bowl.
  • Squeeze 1/2 a lemon and put into a blender. Blend both ingredients for 1 minute then put into the bowl.
  • Apply to the face and leave for 20 minutes.

Reference Sources

  1. Ahmed M, Hussain F. 2013. Chemical composition and biochemical activity of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) leaves. IJCBS. 3: 29-33.
  2. Royal Botanic Gardens. Plant of the World Online: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:530017-1. 06-07-2019.
  3. Dharajiya D, Pagi N, Jasani H, Patel P. 2017. Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller). Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci 6(3): 2152-2162.
  4. Hu Y, Xu J, Hu Q. 2003. Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) extracts. Agric. Food Chem. 51: 7788-7791.