Ghrit Kumari (Aloe Vera) in Mehsana's Ayurvedic Practice

Ghrit Kumari, the Ayurvedic name for aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), is extensively cultivated and used in traditional medicine across Mehsana district. Local Vaidya families and AYUSH practitioners use fresh aloe gel for peptic ulcer management, liver conditions (kamla), and skin disease treatment. The aloe plant is grown in every courtyard and garden across North Gujarat, providing immediate access to fresh gel year-round. Aloe juice mixed with honey and black pepper is given to children for worm infestations. Aloe rind boiled in sesame oil produces medicated oil for scalp conditions and hair fall. Commercial aloe cultivation has expanded in Mehsana as demand from cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries grows. The Patanjali Ayurved and Himalaya Drug Company source aloe from Mehsana contract farms. Traditional storage of aloe gel using salt or turmeric preserves it for weeks without refrigeration.