Aloe Vera Cultivation and Folk Medicine in Jhalawar

Jhalawar district has emerged as one of Rajasthan's significant aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) cultivation zones, capitalising on the plant's drought tolerance and the region's warm climate. Aloe is grown on marginal land and hillside slopes unsuitable for food crops, with commercial plantations established since 2000. The gel extracted from mature aloe leaves is sold to cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies in Jaipur and Udaipur. Traditional uses of aloe in the region predate commercial cultivation: fresh gel is applied to sunburn, cuts, and skin rashes; aloe juice is consumed as a liver tonic; dried aloe latex (musabbar) was used in traditional Unani and Ayurvedic preparations for constipation. Women in rural Jhalawar keep aloe plants in kitchen gardens for household medicinal use. Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) have begun processing aloe gel into packaged products including face packs and shampoos, capturing more value in the district.