Medicinal benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe plant on my north facing windowsill.

Aloe Vera's miraculous list of benefits are many and mankind has been using this plant for both internal and external applications for over 5000 years. The bulk of the Aloe Vera leaf is filled with a clear gel-like substance, which is approximately 99% water.

Aloe contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, poly-saccharides and fatty acids. No wonder it’s used for such a wide range of remedies.

Using Aloe in treating the eyes is from the Sunnah.

Aloe Vera  is particularly good for the eyes and the optical nerve, particularly if the patient is suffering from inflammation of the eyes:

A Muhrim (someone who is in the state of Ihram) being permitted to use Aloe to treat an illness of the eyes -
Nubaih bin Wahb said ‘Umar bin ‘Ubaid Allah bin Ma’mar (radhi Allahu anhu) had a complaint in his eyes. He sent (someone) to Aban bin ‘Uthman - the narrator Sufyan said that he was the chief of pilgrims during the season of Hajj – asking him what he should do with them. He said Apply aloes to them, for I heard ‘Uthaman (radhi Allahu anhu) narrating this on the authority of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
Classed as Sahih from Sunan Abi Dawood Book 10, Hadith 1834

Most people will know Aloe Vera for its skin healing properties or its digestive benefits. In addition to this, Ibn al Qayyim (rahimullah) said it also helps to clear the stomach of excess bile and phlegm if two tablespoons of its freshly pressed juice are taken with some water [perhaps half a cup or so].

Juice from fresh leaves is vastly superior to that which is bought in a bottle from the market and there are a number of ways of preparing the juice, the simplest of which is to take the largest and fattest mature leaf from the plant and cut it into chunks. the juice from these chunks can be left to drain naturally into a bowl placed under a colander. If not much juice is coming out, you can press it gently with the back of a spoon.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very painful condition which leads to deformities in the joints as well as severe stiffness. Research published in the Journal of the American Union of Podiatrists in 1985 showed how, due to its anti inflammatory properties, Aloe Vera applied topically to the inflamed joints of mice was able to reduce the swelling in 88% of cases.

I would highly recommend everyone who is keen about the Cures from the Sunnah to grow an Indian Aloe (Sabir) plant at home, particularly if you have kids. It may well become invaluable for applying the juice to cuts and grazes. If you live in a cold climate, Aloes will do best indoors in a shady but well lit spot. They only need to be watered around once every two weeks (even less in the winter time). When you can see roots popping out of the bottom of the plant pot, its time to repot your Aloe and and since Aloes have a long life, in sha'Allah your plant will reward you with plenty of leaves to come.

Costus: Indian Aloe Wood

Anas, Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah's Messenger, may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him, said: " Some of the best treatments lie in cupping and Kistroot." 
Reported in Sahih Muslim and Sahih Al Bukhaaree, Cf. Cauterization and Cupping, VI; Venesection and Cauterization , VII

Narrated Umm Qais, Allah be pleased with her: 

I went to Allah's Apostle along with a a son of mine whose palate and tonsils I had pressed with my finger as a treatment for a (throat and tonsil) disease. The Prophet said, "Why do you pain your children by pressing their throats! Use Oud Al-Hindi ( Indian aloe wood) for it cures seven diseases, one of which is pleurisy. It is used as a snuff for treating throat and tonsil disease and it is inserted into one side of the mouth of one suffering from pleurisy." 
Sahih Al Bukhaaree, Book of Medicine  no. 5343

There are two kinds of Qust-roots ( Arb. Qust/Kist): 1. the white root of medicinal plant known as the common inula, Arb. Raasin Tibbi; and 2. the aromatic root of Indian aloe tree ( Arb. 'Oud Hindi), commonly known as aloe. 

Qust/'Oud al Hindi/Indian Aloe Wood

 Pictures courtesy of

Yunus Bin Shaddaad Al-Azdi

Inula/Rasin Tibbi/Qust

Kust-roots or costus, commonly known as Indian aloe have hot and dry temperaments in the third degree and provide extra heat. While the white variety, known as the common inula is balmier. Both provide considerable medicinal effects.

•  Both roots dry out excess phlegm, and help remedy head cold, or acute nasal congestion (catarrh; Arb. zukaam). 
• Drinking an infusion of costus helps weakness of the liver, weakness of digestion, slackness of the stomach, stomach flu, diarrhea of the liver; and helps as an antipyretic to abate febris recurrence, quells quartan phlegmonous fever.
• An ointment of it helps backache, or rheumatic pain in the lumbar region (lumbago); also kills ringworm, and to remove dry scales shed by the skin, including dandruff.
• Costus also can help spasmodic contractions and rigidity of voluntary muscles (tetanus).
• Costus is used in the treatment of pleurisy.  
• Costus roots also help asthmatic symptoms and heaviness of the chest. 
• An inunction of costus mixed with water and honey helps to control skin discoloration on the face and the chest resulting from pregnancy or malnutrition. Also helps the removal of scars, surgical or otherwise. 
• Be sure to look for costus in shops which sell Indian foods and spices. Some herbal shops might carry this medicinal plant  as well. If not available in your area, search the internet for more information as to how you can obtain it. 

May the Creator give you the best of health and well-being.