Aloe vera nutritiuous, say experts
Nov 03, 2003
Many people are excited about Aloe vera, a succulent medicinal plant and many are rushing to grow it
By Immaculate Tumwesigye
Many people are excited about Aloe vera, a succulent medicinal plant and many are rushing to grow it.
However, an expert on medicinal plants has warned that not all that looks like Aloe vera is real. Corn Alele Amai, a senior researcher with Natural Chemotherapeutics Laboratory (NCTL), says some people had been duped to plant fake Aloe vera and were disappointed at the time of marketing when they were told that what they had planted was not Aloe vera.
Amai says there are many species of the plant and it is difficult for a lay person to distinguish it from the rest. He advises people to verify it with experts before it.
“One has to start by identifying the right plant because the various Aloe species look similar. One can get a taxonomist from NCTL or Makerere University in the department of Botany,†Amai said.
In Uganda, Aloe vera has been used to treat skin infections and smoothening the skin. its juice is used as food supplement and its toothpaste is said to protect the teeth. Its fresh juice is used to treat wounds.
“The plant has highly nutritious values that is why it is used as a food supplement and can be of high economic value if cultivated for export,†Amai adds. According to Joel Lugolobi, the programme director of Buso Foundation, the liquid extracted can also be used to treat malaria and stomach upsets.
Aloe vera products are found in most of the leading pharmacies in Kampala.
One of the pharmacists at Wandegeya says bottled Aloe vera juice is used to boost immunity and helps improve appetite.
Many people are excited about Aloe vera, a succulent medicinal plant and many are rushing to grow it.
However, an expert on medicinal plants has warned that not all that looks like Aloe vera is real. Corn Alele Amai, a senior researcher with Natural Chemotherapeutics Laboratory (NCTL), says some people had been duped to plant fake Aloe vera and were disappointed at the time of marketing when they were told that what they had planted was not Aloe vera.
Amai says there are many species of the plant and it is difficult for a lay person to distinguish it from the rest. He advises people to verify it with experts before it.
“One has to start by identifying the right plant because the various Aloe species look similar. One can get a taxonomist from NCTL or Makerere University in the department of Botany,†Amai said.
In Uganda, Aloe vera has been used to treat skin infections and smoothening the skin. its juice is used as food supplement and its toothpaste is said to protect the teeth. Its fresh juice is used to treat wounds.
“The plant has highly nutritious values that is why it is used as a food supplement and can be of high economic value if cultivated for export,†Amai adds. According to Joel Lugolobi, the programme director of Buso Foundation, the liquid extracted can also be used to treat malaria and stomach upsets.
Aloe vera products are found in most of the leading pharmacies in Kampala.
One of the pharmacists at Wandegeya says bottled Aloe vera juice is used to boost immunity and helps improve appetite.