Multifarious Importance and Uses of Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in northern Africa. The species does not have any naturally occurring populations, although closely related aloes do occur in northern Africa.The species is frequently citedas being used in herbal medicine since the beginning of the first century AD.Extracts from A. vera are widely used in the cosmetics and alternative medicine industries, being marketed as variously having rejuvenating, healing or soothing properties. There is however , little scientific evidence of the effectiveness or safety of A. vera extracts for either cosmetic or medicinal purposes. Aloe vera is a stemless or very short- stemmed succulent plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in)long. Like other Aloe species, Aloe vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza , a symbiosis that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients in soil. It is in treatment of wound and lesions, in dental care etc.