History of Aloe Vera
Who is Professor Yagi? Born in 1933 in Fukuoka city, Professor Yagi completed his doctorate in Pharmacy in Kyushu University, and was granted research fellowship in pharmacy in University of Fukuoka and University of Kyushu. In 1983, while as a professor in University of Fukuyama, he took part in studies related to quality of life.
He was active in interacting with overseas organisations. He has spent close to 40 years since 1970s studying Health and Aloe.
He was active in interacting with overseas organisations. He has spent close to 40 years since 1970s studying Health and Aloe.
Mugai: Please tell us the history of Aloe.
Prof Yagi: Aloe Vera was greatly treasured during the period of Alexander the Great. People used it as a first aid to treat injury and as a treatment for sunburn (It was very hot there). Ladies, including Cleopatra, used it to beautify themselves.
Mugai: At that time, Aloe Vera was growing wild in Alexandria and Egypt. Aloe Vera was recorded in the most ancient medical literature journal (Eber Papyrus, around 1550 BC, among the most important medical literature of Egypt).
Prof Yagi: Yes, that was a very long time ago indeed.
Mugai: Then later Aloe Vera was again popular after the second world war. It was put to commercial use by America.
Prof Yagi: America is the strongest in research on Aloe Vera. Research inevitable would lead to commercial use; that is the practical side of business.
Muga: In Japan, Aloe Vera imported from China was recorded in the Kamakura era.
Prof Yagi: The Kamakura era was a time of warring states. Aloe was used as a first aid to treat wounded soldiers. In peace time it was used as a health aid and a herb for youthfulness and longevity. Aloe Vera is very versatile in that it can be used by itself or blended to make a variety of beauty care products that nothing else can match! It is not a medicine but its effectiveness makes it popular for centuries, and I believe, will continue to be popular
forever. It fits very well into what is important to the Japanese society.
Mugai: Before the discovery of penicillin and subsequent medical era, Aloe Vera and other herbs were considered as medicine. There are reasons to believe that Aloe Vera had been used continuously from its more than 3,000 years history. The awareness of the benefits were heightened only in the last few decades. Will people continue using it?
Prof Yagi: Yes, people will continue using it. However the functions are even more varied than those of the old days. Its popularity is due to its efficacy that is proven over a long period of time.
Prof Yagi: Aloe Vera was greatly treasured during the period of Alexander the Great. People used it as a first aid to treat injury and as a treatment for sunburn (It was very hot there). Ladies, including Cleopatra, used it to beautify themselves.
Mugai: At that time, Aloe Vera was growing wild in Alexandria and Egypt. Aloe Vera was recorded in the most ancient medical literature journal (Eber Papyrus, around 1550 BC, among the most important medical literature of Egypt).
Prof Yagi: Yes, that was a very long time ago indeed.
Mugai: Then later Aloe Vera was again popular after the second world war. It was put to commercial use by America.
Prof Yagi: America is the strongest in research on Aloe Vera. Research inevitable would lead to commercial use; that is the practical side of business.
Muga: In Japan, Aloe Vera imported from China was recorded in the Kamakura era.
Prof Yagi: The Kamakura era was a time of warring states. Aloe was used as a first aid to treat wounded soldiers. In peace time it was used as a health aid and a herb for youthfulness and longevity. Aloe Vera is very versatile in that it can be used by itself or blended to make a variety of beauty care products that nothing else can match! It is not a medicine but its effectiveness makes it popular for centuries, and I believe, will continue to be popular
forever. It fits very well into what is important to the Japanese society.
Mugai: Before the discovery of penicillin and subsequent medical era, Aloe Vera and other herbs were considered as medicine. There are reasons to believe that Aloe Vera had been used continuously from its more than 3,000 years history. The awareness of the benefits were heightened only in the last few decades. Will people continue using it?
Prof Yagi: Yes, people will continue using it. However the functions are even more varied than those of the old days. Its popularity is due to its efficacy that is proven over a long period of time.
