Aloe vera has been one of the most important plants used in folk medicine. Aloe vera, or ghrita kumara in Sanskrit, is a member of the lily family and looks very cactus-like. It’s one to two feet tall, and its leaves are succulent — broad at the base and pointed at the tips, with spines along the edges. These fat leaves contain the clear healing gel that is 96% water. The other four percent contains 75 known substances including Vitamins A, B, C, and E; calcium; amino acids for protein building; and enzymes used in the digestive system. It’s a revitalizing herb that belongs to the Rasayana class of Ayurvedic herbs. Rasayana herbs are anti-aging, immune-system-building, and healing agents that protect your body from the normal wear and tear of daily life and stress. It is traditionally used to balance PITTA, to help heal wounds, burns, and irritated skin, as well as internally to balance digestion, support liver function, and much more.
