Who knew? I sure didn't. All those posts I've done about the Nepalese Kumari. Kumari is aloe vera and also means "goddess" in Sanskrit! (Photo of aloe vera from the indiacenter.com, manufacturers of herbal exports overseas!)
Check it out, from Citizen Times.com:
Herb lore
By Wendy Mullins
published July 28, 2009 10:37 am
Aloe Vera: The healing goddess
The succulent juices of this plant have long been used to counteract the effects of aging and promote beauty. East Indian women associate it with the female gender. Hence this plant's Sanskrit name "kumari", which means "goddess."
Typical of most herbs, Aloe Vera possesses a great many healing attributes, its medicinal properties known since antiquity to the fathers of medicine, Dioscorides, Celsus and Pliny. Aloe is indigenous to East and South Africa, introduced to the tropics and West Indies where it is extensively cultivated.
In the West, the gel of Aloe Vera's fleshy leaves are used externally to relieve a variety of skin disorders. To moisten dryness, relieve irritation, reduce inflammation and infection, apply liquid aloe gel to the affected area. Aloe is considered an effective healing agent for cuts and burns-especially sunburn. I like to chill an aloe leaf for this particular application. The antibacterial, cooling affect of aloe gel is also helpful with eczema, dermatitis, poison ivy, and diaper rash, insect bites and on the gums for dental abscesses, to remedy gingivitis. Aloe is also used to relive conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.
For the internal environment, aloe's bitter action helps to promote liver function and bowl movement and is also useful in treating peptic ulcers. When buying commercial blends, be sure the juice is at least 99 percent pure with less than 1 percent added oxidation and mold inhibitors. Aloe should not be used internally during pregnancy.
For a luxurious spoil, experience aloe as a beauty product. To condition hair and skin, blend the gel with your shampoo, hand lotion or simply apply aloe alone. It feels cool and silky on the skin and is especially enjoyable during hot summer months.
With so many uses, every household should have an aloe plant. Grow in clay pots with plenty of drainage, and expose your plant to lots of sunlight. Aloe is ideally suited to a desert environment, so water sparingly. With proper care, your aloe plant will be there to soothe and spoil year 'round.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Goddess 101: Aloe Vera is - Kumari!
Who knew? I sure didn't. All those posts I've done about the Nepalese Kumari. Kumari is aloe vera and also means "goddess" in Sanskrit! (Photo of aloe vera from the indiacenter.com, manufacturers of herbal exports overseas!)
Check it out, from Citizen Times.com:
Herb lore
By Wendy Mullins
published July 28, 2009 10:37 am
Aloe Vera: The healing goddess
The succulent juices of this plant have long been used to counteract the effects of aging and promote beauty. East Indian women associate it with the female gender. Hence this plant's Sanskrit name "kumari", which means "goddess."
Typical of most herbs, Aloe Vera possesses a great many healing attributes, its medicinal properties known since antiquity to the fathers of medicine, Dioscorides, Celsus and Pliny. Aloe is indigenous to East and South Africa, introduced to the tropics and West Indies where it is extensively cultivated.
In the West, the gel of Aloe Vera's fleshy leaves are used externally to relieve a variety of skin disorders. To moisten dryness, relieve irritation, reduce inflammation and infection, apply liquid aloe gel to the affected area. Aloe is considered an effective healing agent for cuts and burns-especially sunburn. I like to chill an aloe leaf for this particular application. The antibacterial, cooling affect of aloe gel is also helpful with eczema, dermatitis, poison ivy, and diaper rash, insect bites and on the gums for dental abscesses, to remedy gingivitis. Aloe is also used to relive conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.
For the internal environment, aloe's bitter action helps to promote liver function and bowl movement and is also useful in treating peptic ulcers. When buying commercial blends, be sure the juice is at least 99 percent pure with less than 1 percent added oxidation and mold inhibitors. Aloe should not be used internally during pregnancy.
For a luxurious spoil, experience aloe as a beauty product. To condition hair and skin, blend the gel with your shampoo, hand lotion or simply apply aloe alone. It feels cool and silky on the skin and is especially enjoyable during hot summer months.
With so many uses, every household should have an aloe plant. Grow in clay pots with plenty of drainage, and expose your plant to lots of sunlight. Aloe is ideally suited to a desert environment, so water sparingly. With proper care, your aloe plant will be there to soothe and spoil year 'round.
Wish I could bring you some of my aloe cuttings - but I'd get stopped at the border... I have a huge mama and her offspring in four different pots scattered around the apartment... Kumari?! Well who'd a thunk it?!
ReplyDeleteOh Mr. Don, how sweet! I remember that gigantic plant from my last trip to Montreal - it's been too long - June, 2003! We'll just have to make a point to pick one up here when you visit in August or at Christmas.
ReplyDeletesfauthor, no - I'd no idea such books were available on the internet. Thank you very much for the link. Things sure have come a long way since 1999 when Goddesschess first debuted!
ReplyDeleteVery true. Aloe Vera in general has a lot of benefits. its useful in many problems in many ways. May it be for beautiful skin or hair or evn burns, aloe vera is the the solution for it.
ReplyDeleteAloe Vera