Aloe (Aloe vera)
Overview
Aloe vera (syn. A. barbadensis) is a succulent commonly grown as a potted plant, notable for its thick, fleshy leaves that contain two distinct medicinal components. The inner clear gel is renowned for its soothing and wound-healing properties, while the bitter yellow sap from the leaf base (often called “bitter aloes”) has a strong laxative effect. Historically, aloe vera has been prized for treating skin irritations, burns, and ulcers. It can also be taken internally (as juice) to support digestion and immune function. Whole leaf aloe juice has been used to help fight arthritis, AIDS, cancer, and other chronic conditions, though the outer leaf portion containing anthraquinones is typically filtered out to avoid harsh laxative effects.
Traditional uses & properties
Heals & Soothes: The inner gel is cooling and moistening, relieving burns, sunburns, and various skin irritations. It speeds wound healing and may reduce infection risk. Digestive Aid: Taken internally (with the laxative portion removed), aloe can soothe the digestive tract, help with peptic ulcers, and support bowel health. Laxative & Purgative: The yellow sap (bitter aloes) contains anthraquinones that stimulate bowel movements in 8–12 hours, useful for short-term constipation when used correctly. Anti-inflammatory & Antiseptic: Contains compounds that help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and provide a protective coat on irritated tissues. Immunomodulatory: Certain constituents (like aloectin B) have shown an immune-stimulating effect, which has led to research on aloe’s benefits for chronic conditions.
Preparations & dosage
Tincture made from bitter aloes. Take 3 drops with water before meals.
Break off a leaf and split open to collect the gel. For burns and eczema, apply liberally twice a day.
Safety & precautions
The outer leaf sap contains anthraquinone glycosides (like aloin) that act as a strong stimulant laxative, suitable only for short-term use under supervision. Some herbalists caution that children, pregnant women, and the elderly avoid drinking aloe juice that contains any of the strong cathartic compounds. Do not use the bitter outer leaf extract during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Avoid internal use if suffering from kidney disease or hemorrhoids. Freshly extracted gel from the inner leaf is considered gentle, but concentrated or unfiltered products (containing the outer rind) can be irritating.
Drug & food interactions
Aloe vera may have blood-glucose-lowering properties and may therefore be expected to interact with conventional drugs that have the same effect. Aloe vera appears to enhance the absorption of some vitamins but the clinical significance of this is not clear.
Aloe vera juice reduces blood-glucose levels in patients with diabetes taking glibenclamide. In placebo-controlled clinical studies, aloe vera juice (80%), one tablespoonful twice daily for 42 days, reduced blood-glucose in patients with diabetes, either taking glibenclamide,1 or not taking oral antidiabetic drugs,2 from an average of 14 to 16 mmol/L down to 8 mmol/L over a period of 6 weeks. However, it should be noted that, in the study in patients taking glibenclamide, there was, unexpectedly, no response to the use of glibenclamide alone. In these studies, the aloe vera juice (80%) was prepared from aloe gel and additional flavours and preservatives.
No interactions found.
An isolated case report tentatively attributed increased surgical bleeding to the concurrent use of aloe vera and sevoflurane. A 35-year-old woman, who had taken four aloe vera tablets (exact constituents and dose unknown) daily for 2 weeks before undergoing a procedure to excise a haemangioma from her left thigh, lost more than double the amount of blood estimated before surgery.1 General anaesthesia was induced with propofol 110 mg, fentanyl 100 micrograms and rocuronium 35 mg, followed by tracheal intubation. Sevoflurane 0.5% to 1.3% was used to maintain anaesthesia with nitrous oxide in oxygen, which was supplemented by rocuronium 70 mg and morphine 10.5 mg. The authors suggest that a possible interaction between sevoflurane and aloe vera contributed to the excessive bleeding seen.
Aloe vera might delay, and enhance, the absorption of vitamin C and vitamin E. (a) Vitamin C In a single-dose, randomised study in 8 healthy subjects, aloe vera gel extract 60mL appeared to enhance the absorption of vitamin C 500 mg. The AUC of ascorbate was increased by about threefold. However, this difference was not statistically significant: it was attributed to the large interindividual differences. There was a second maximum plasma ascorbate level at 8 hours with the gel, and plasma ascorbate was still detectable at 24 hours, suggesting that aloe vera gel might delay, as well as enhance, absorption. Conversely, aloe vera whole leaf extract 60mL had no significant effect on the absorption of vitamin C.1 (b) Vitamin E In a single-dose, randomised study in 10 healthy subjects, aloe vera gel extract 60mL increased the AUC of vitamin E 420 mg by 3.7-fold. Aloe vera whole leaf extract 60mL increased the AUC by about twofold. However, the only statistically significant difference was the increase in plasma tocopherol at 8 hours, which occurred with both aloe vera extracts. The time to maximum level was delayed from 4 hours to 8 hours for the gel and to 6 hours for the leaf extract, suggesting that aloe vera might delay, as well as enhance, absorption.
No interactions found.
Habitat
Native to eastern and southern Africa, aloe vera now grows wild in tropical regions worldwide and is extensively cultivated. It thrives in warm, arid climates but also adapts well to indoor pots. The leaves are harvested by cutting and draining them for gel or bitter sap. Commercially, the gel is processed into juices, gels, and topical preparations.
Traditionally used for
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