Medical Plant of Aloe Vera in Desert Regions of Iran: Greenhouses, Economic Importance, Development, Extension, Processing and Marketing

Medical plants are the best source for getting treatment from various diseases. Using of natural substances with therapeutic properties has been used since ancient times. More than 500 species of Aloe Vera are known. This plant is native to tropical areas, including the north of Africa, Europe and the southern part of the Mediterranean region. Aloe Vera grows widely in the south of Iran and is cultured for the pharmaceutical uses. Aloe Vera is a plant with structural and physiological adaptations that allow it to survive in arid or semiarid regions with erratic rainfall. Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant cultivated for various applications in medical, food and health products. Aloe Vera has been used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. Aloe Vera is a plant that can produce sap and gel. The gel is extracted from the leaves, and this is the most widely used substance as a treatment. Different from traditional treatment modalities, Aloe Vera will great reduce medical cost intended as complementary therapy. Aloe Vera is much more effective and less costly in the prevention and healing the ulcers compared to current treatments. Also, since the revival of traditional medicine is important and the side effects of this drug has been proven to be trivial over the years, it seems Aloe Vera is a good substitute to replace the current methods or to be used as a complementary method for prevention of pressure ulcers and improving community health. In this article, introducing various aspects of cultivating Aloe Vera greenhouses in desert regions of Iran and their economic importance plus approaches for their development, extension, processing and marketing. Main locations of study were greenhouses of Aloe Vera in two provinces in Iran, namely South Khorasan and Semnan provinces in the east and north of the country. For doing this study utilized qualitative approach with its main tools for gathering information such as participatory observation, maps, scientific articles, pictures, documents etc.. In the end present appropriate approaches for improving its economic importance, development, extension, processing and marketing in Iran.

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