A successful survivor is one who makes good use of the limited resources available and is able to translate them into positive output benefiting the host. Owning one of the strongest survival tactics, desert plants have mastered the art of utilizing the maximum nutrients available in the soil and translate them well as their strength.
Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera Barbadensis) is a fitting a example to the above hypothesis and has the ability to hold 22 amino acids, making it one of the most utilized plant for medicine.
Using the same ability of the plant in surviving in driest conditions, local gatherers in Coimbatore are making good money by selling the plant to traditional medical centres in the nearby State of Kerala.
The plant - locally known as Sottru Katraazhai in Tamil – which had thrived so well in dry areas of the District including Kurumbapalayam, Madukkarai, Ettimadai and other bordering villages, are being sold for a good profit of upto Rs. 50 per kilo.
The gatherers who come in bicycles collect the plants in large bags and sell them to the centres.
According to K. Rajamani, Professor and Head of the Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at Tamil Nadu Agricultural College, the plant is used in various medicinal practices all over the world.
“While the gel from the plant is used as a moisturising agent for dry skins and is also used in the healing of skin borne diseases, the plant is also used for various applications including the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, Ulcer, Bloating, and Indigestion and is also used as an ingredient in energy drinks,” he added.
Making use of its medicinal values, traditional medicines like Ayurvedha and Siddha use it as an important ingredient in their drugs. According to sources, Aloe Vera plays a vital role in Ayurvedha where drugs for inflammation, detoxification, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, eye disease, tumour, spleen enlargement, bronchitis, asthma, jaundice and ulcer.
Medicines including Kumaryasavam, Rajapravarthini vati, murivenna and chanthani thailam use the succulent plant as an essential ingredient.
While they largely procure the plant from local tribals and gatherers in Kerala along with procurement from small farms, gatherers from Coimbatore also cater to their needs by supplying needful quantity.
Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera Barbadensis) is a fitting a example to the above hypothesis and has the ability to hold 22 amino acids, making it one of the most utilized plant for medicine.
Using the same ability of the plant in surviving in driest conditions, local gatherers in Coimbatore are making good money by selling the plant to traditional medical centres in the nearby State of Kerala.
The plant - locally known as Sottru Katraazhai in Tamil – which had thrived so well in dry areas of the District including Kurumbapalayam, Madukkarai, Ettimadai and other bordering villages, are being sold for a good profit of upto Rs. 50 per kilo.
The gatherers who come in bicycles collect the plants in large bags and sell them to the centres.
According to K. Rajamani, Professor and Head of the Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at Tamil Nadu Agricultural College, the plant is used in various medicinal practices all over the world.
“While the gel from the plant is used as a moisturising agent for dry skins and is also used in the healing of skin borne diseases, the plant is also used for various applications including the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, Ulcer, Bloating, and Indigestion and is also used as an ingredient in energy drinks,” he added.
Making use of its medicinal values, traditional medicines like Ayurvedha and Siddha use it as an important ingredient in their drugs. According to sources, Aloe Vera plays a vital role in Ayurvedha where drugs for inflammation, detoxification, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, eye disease, tumour, spleen enlargement, bronchitis, asthma, jaundice and ulcer.
Medicines including Kumaryasavam, Rajapravarthini vati, murivenna and chanthani thailam use the succulent plant as an essential ingredient.
While they largely procure the plant from local tribals and gatherers in Kerala along with procurement from small farms, gatherers from Coimbatore also cater to their needs by supplying needful quantity.