Production RegionsPrimarily produced in northern Africa and the West Indies of South America.
Macroscopic FeaturesAloe barbadensis Miller: Irregular lumps, often cracked to polygons, uneven size, externally dark reddish-brown or dark brown, not lustrous, light in weight, hard texture, not easily broken, fractured surface is rough or with pitting lines. Hygroscopic. Distinctive odor, very bitter taste. Aloe ferox Miller: Externally dark brown, slightly green, lustrous. Light and loose texture, easily broken, fractured surface is glass-like and layered.
Quality RequirementsSuperior medicinal material is ink-green, lustrous, brittle, with potent odor.
FunctionsClears liver heat, frees stools. Apply to constipation, malnutrition of children, infantile convulsions, externally used to damp tinea.
OriginThe dried concentrated leaf juice of Aloe barbadensis Miller, Aloe ferox Miller or other substance from the same genus. The first is also called ‘old lu hui’, the second is also called ‘new lu hui’.
