1. Aliases
Nuhui, Transparent Aloe Vera, Elephant Gallbladder, Lu Hui, Nehui, Nuhui, and Lao Wei.
2. Plant morphology
Perennial fleshy herbaceous plant. The stem is extremely short. Leaves clustered at the top of the stem, nearly upright, thick and juicy; The leaves are narrow lanceolate, with a gradually pointed tip and a wide base, pink green in color. The edges have spiky small teeth. The flower stem is solitary or slightly branched; The raceme is scattered, and the flowers located at the lower part of the inflorescence droop, with yellow or red spots; Perianth tubular, apex 6-lobed, lobes slightly outward curved; 6 stamens, anthers inserted in a "D" shape; 1 pistil, 3-loculed, with multiple ovules per locule. Capsule, triangular, loculicidal.
3. Origin distribution
Native to northern Africa, currently widely cultivated in South America and the West Indies; Large scale cultivation in the United States. Some areas in southern China have introduced and cultivated varieties.
4. Harvesting and processing
It can be harvested all year round. Cut the leaves from the base, collect the flowing liquid in a container, evaporate and concentrate to an appropriate concentration, and let it gradually cool and solidify to obtain.
5. Characteristics of medicinal herbs
Irregular block shaped, often broken into polygons of varying sizes. The surface appears dark reddish brown or dark brown, with no luster. Lightweight, hard in texture, not easily broken, with rough or juicy cross-sections. Rich in moisture absorption. It has a special odor and an extremely bitter taste.
6. Nature, taste, and meridian tropism
Cold in nature and bitter in taste. Return to the Large Intestine Meridian, Stomach Meridian, and Liver Meridian.
7. Effect and function
Clearing liver heat, promoting bowel movements, and killing insects to treat chancre. Offensive drugs belonging to the subcategory of laxatives.
8. Clinical applications
Dosage 2-5 grams, decoct and take; Apply an appropriate amount externally, grind and apply to the affected area. Used to treat constipation, infantile chancre, and convulsions; External treatment for damp tinea.
9. Pharmacological research
Has laxative, antibacterial, and anti-tumor effects, and can prolong the survival period of sarcoma mice; It has hepatoprotective and anti gastric damage effects, and increases intestinal water content after use, leading to diarrhea; Has a therapeutic effect on tissue damage and a protective effect on the skin; Can stimulate the growth of fibroblasts; Affects the function of the immune system, etc; It can promote wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and enhance immunity.
10. Chemical composition
It mainly contains ingredients such as aloe emodin, isoaloe emodin, aloin, lauric acid, and aloe vera extract.
11. Taboos for use
Pregnant women should avoid taking it. Prohibited for those who suffer from spleen and stomach deficiency, cold, diarrhea, and lack of appetite.
12. Compatibility prescription
① Treating tinea: Aloe vera and rhubarb are the last to apply. (The Essential Principles of Danxi Governance)
② Difficulty in treating bowel movements: 21g of aloe vera (finely ground), 15g of cinnabar (ground like flying noodles), add good wine and pills, take 9g per serving, and swallow the wine. (The Classic of Materia Medica)
③ Treatment for active phase chronic hepatitis and hepatogenic low fever: 1.5g of aloe vera, 1.5g of Huhuanglian, and 3g of Huangbai. Water turns into pills, take 3 grams each time, twice a day. (Zhejiang Medicinal Flora)
④ Treating headache caused by cerebral obstruction: Aloe vera (research), borneol (research), Guati (pounding), and talcum (research). Divide the four flavors equally into the end. Every time you use a bean, it will be a godly experience. ("Saint Ji Zonglu" Blowing Nose Powder)
⑤ Treating infantile chancre and killing insects: 15 grams each of aloe vera, wumao, magnolia, and crane lice. Above is the end. Water soaked pancakes, balls as big as yellow rice. Take ten pills and drink rice. (Puji Formula: Aloe Vera Pills)