Kalakantala, Kantala, Ketaki (WOA, 1998).

Common Name: American aloe, Century plant

Botanical Name: Agave americana L.

Family: Agavaceae

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Medicinal Uses

The roots have diuretic and antisyphilitic properties. It is used with sarsaparilla in the form of decoction. The juice from cut roots and leaves is especially useful in syphilis. The sap is laxative, diuretic and emmenagogue; it is found very useful in scurvy. The fresh juice has very good external application to bruises and contusions. The gum exuding from the leaves and roots is used as a cure for toothache. The popular way to treat Gonorrhoea is by using leaf pulp mixed with sugar (Vedavathy et al., 1997). The leaves are used to purify blood, wounds and inflammations. Dried powdered of the leaves is used against tuberculosis of the lungs. The infusion of this plant with the addition of a teaspoonful of honey can be used to soothe irritated edges. Leaves of Agave americana and vilvam fruits are powdered and boiled to form a paste and applied in the fractured area.

Veterinary Uses

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