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Saturday, July 30, 2011

ALOE VERA

LIDAH BUAYA (Aloe Vera) or locally known as 'LIDAH BUAYA' in Malaysia is a member of the XANTHOREACEAE or Lily family. It is a succulent that looks a lot like a cactus and is known by various names such as the burnt plant, the miracle plant, the natural healer and the medicine plant. Although there are more than two hundred species of Aloe Vera, only a few have medicinal properties, and of these Aloe Vera Barbadensis is the most beneficial. I know this crop since I was young based on the local aloe vera planted in my own village at Gerisek, Muar , Johor. My farmers by the name of Mr Yap once brought a giant species of Aloe vera that he interested to grow commercially in Segamat and Pahang and seeking for huge land. I believe he is a successful Aloe vera  businessmen by today. This article I would like to share my knowledge about this miracle plants based on my observation. 


The Aloe Vera plant reaches maturity at about four years of age. The outer leaf is smooth and rubbery and inside is the gel and sap which is harvested, preserved and bottled to give either a juice or when combined with other ingredients creams, lotions and gels. About 96% of the plant is water. The rest is made up of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium and the antioxidant selenium, vitamins including the antioxidants C, E and beta carotene, 20 of the 22 amino acids required by the body including 7 of the 8 that cannot be manufactured by the body, sugars, enzymes and fatty acids. The combination of these elements has a more powerful effect together than they would individually. This is because each enhances the effect of the other, an occurrence that is known as synergism.


Aloe Vera works in two different areas that was by promoting healing or preventing injury to the epithelial tissues (the skin, the lining of the gut, the bronchial tubes, etc) and by balancing the immune system when its antioxidants fight the free radicals produced by our metabolism and pollutants in the environment. As I visited a shop lot at Plaza Angsana, Johor Bahru, I was surprised when found a shop by the name of 'ALOE VERA SHOP' with so many product based on aloe vera plants. The product such as juices, tablets, creams, health drinks, cosmetics, foods, pills and many others are ready for customers with reasonable price.


When taken internally, Aloe Vera is soothing to digestive tract irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers. The anti-inflammatory fatty acids are also helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It alkalises the digestive juices preventing over acidity – a common cause of indigestion. Amongst many other ailments that have been helped by Aloe Vera are diverticulitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation and haemorrhoids. Conditions that are improved by balancing the immune system are arthritis, asthma, ME (post viral fatigue syndrome) and LE (lupus).When applied to the skin Aloe Vera improves a large variety of skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, burns, stings, acne, bites, scrapes, abrasions, scalp care, sore muscles, cold sores, bruises, sprains and frostbite to name but a few!


More recent studies show Aloe Vera can help prolong survival time and stimulate the immune system of cancer patients. This is partly by fighting free radicals with its antioxidant properties and also by stimulating the white blood cells causing the release of immune-activating and anticancer substances such as interferons, interleukins and tumour necrosis factor. These properties of Aloe Vera have also made it an effective part of a nutrition support program for HIV patients; leading to fewer occurrences of infections such as thrush, fatigue and diarrhoea and an increase in the number of white blood cells meaning a boost to their immune system.


For those who interested to grow aloe vera or Lidah Buaya there are lots of potential in future. Aloe vera are easy to row with proper drainage and simple  agronomic practices. The use of non-chemical or organic management system are better to produce Organic Aloe vera for health product. The use of organic or fertigation practices are suitable for this kind of crop. Aloe vera are planted by cuttings with planting distance from 40 -60 cm depend on varieties. Total area planted with Aloe vera in Malaysia estimated about 150 -200 hectare located mostly in Johor, Pahang (Rompin area) and Negeri Sembilan. 


By,
M Anem
Putrajaya
(Saturday 12.15 pm )

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