Aloe Vera
Keywords: burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant's gall,
laxative, aloin, aloe-emodin, barbaloin, abrasions
 © Steven Foster
Introduction
This fact sheet provides basic information about aloe
vera—common names, uses, potential side effects, and
resources for more information. Aloe
vera's use can be traced back 6,000 years to
early Egypt, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings.
Known as the "plant of immortality,"
aloe was presented as a burial gift to
deceased pharaohs.
Common Names—aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert,
elephant's gall
Latin Names—Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis
What It Is Used
For
- Traditionally, aloe was used topically to heal
wounds and for various skin conditions, and orally as a
laxative.
- Today, in addition to traditional uses, people take
aloe orally to treat a variety of conditions, including
diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and osteoarthritis. People use
aloe topically for osteoarthritis, burns, and
sunburns.
- Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin
products, including lotions and sunblocks.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved
aloe vera as a natural food flavoring.
How It Is Used
- Aloe leaves contain a clear gel that is often used as a
topical ointment.
- The green part of the leaf that surrounds the gel can
be used to produce a juice or a dried substance (called
latex) that is taken by mouth.
What the Science
Says
- Aloe latex contains strong laxative compounds. Products
made with various components of aloe (aloin, aloe-emodin,
and barbaloin) were at one time regulated by the FDA as
oral over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives. In 2002, the FDA
required that all OTC aloe laxative products be removed
from the U.S. market or reformulated because the companies
that manufactured them did not provide the necessary safety
data.
- Early studies show that topical aloe gel may help heal
burns and abrasions. One study, however, showed that aloe
gel inhibits healing of deep surgical wounds. Aloe gel does
not prevent burns from radiation therapy.
- There is not enough scientific evidence to support aloe
vera for any of its other uses.
Side Effects and
Cautions
- Use of topical aloe vera is not associated with
significant side effects.
- Abdominal cramps and diarrhea have been reported with
oral use of aloe vera.
- Diarrhea, caused by the laxative effect of oral aloe
vera, can decrease the absorption of many drugs.
- People with diabetes who use glucose-lowering
medication should be cautious if also taking aloe by mouth
because preliminary studies suggest aloe may lower blood
glucose levels.
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary
and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture
of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure
coordinated and safe care.
Sources
• Aloe. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. June
5, 2007.
• Aloe (Aloe vera). Natural Standard Database Web site.
Accessed on June 3, 2007.
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