Ethnomedical uses
Aloe vera is used in folkloric medicine to treat dermatitis, thermal and sunburns, cystic ache, peptic ulcer, colds, tuberculosis, gonorrhea,
asthma, dysentery, headache, fungal infections, and diabetes (Sample et al., 2001; WHO, 1991; Ali et al., 1990).
Biological and Pharmacological activities
Biological and chemical investigations have confirmed the wound-healing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe vera (Davis, 1994; Udupa et al., 1994, Bruce, 1967; Lorenzettet al., 1964). Aloe-emodin is responsible for the antiviral and antifungal properties of the plant (Van Zyl and Viljoen, 2001).