The Aloe vera plant has been used for thousands of
years to heal a variety of conditions ranging from skin lesions to constipation.
It is grown in most subtropical and tropical locations, including South Africa,
Latin America, and the Caribbean. Aloe was one of the most frequently prescribed
medicines throughout most of the 18th and 19th centuries and it remains one of
the most commonly used herbs in the United States today.
Burns
Aloe gel, made from the central part of the aloe leaf, is a common household
remedy for minor cuts and burns as well as sunburns. It can be found in many
commercial skin lotions and cosmetics. Aloe contains active compounds that stop
pain and inflammation and stimulate skin growth and repair. For this reason,
aloe vera gel has gained tremendous popularity for relief of burns, with
individual success in helping minor burns. In fact, preliminary research, in
both animals and people, suggests that this folkloric use has some scientific
validity. These results seem encouraging, but studies comparing aloe gel with
standard medication may help determine whether the herb is as effective for the
treatment of burns as more customary therapies.
Herpes and Skin Conditions
Preliminary evidence also suggests that aloe gel may improve symptoms of genital
herpes and certain skin conditions such as psoriasis. Additional studies would
be helpful to confirm these findings.
Constipation
Aloe gel is often confused with another part of the aloe plant known as aloe
juice, but the two substances are quite different. Aloe juice (also known as
aloe latex or aloe sap) is a yellow, bitter liquid derived from the outer layer
of the aloe leaf. It contains substances that, when taken by mouth, have very
strong laxative effects. For example, in a study of 35 men and women with
constipation, those who received capsules containing aloe latex, and other
laxatives including psyllium (a natural substance high in fiber) experienced
softer and more frequent stools compared to those who received placebo.
Although aloe latex is a powerful laxative, it is not used
frequently because it can cause painful cramping. Other gentler, herbal
laxatives from the same plant family as aloe (such as cascara and senna) are
generally recommended first.
Diabetes
Preliminary studies suggest that aloe juice may help lower blood sugar levels in
people with type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. Although further studies are need to
fully assess the safety and effectiveness of aloe in the treatment of diabetes,
it seems possible that the herb may prove to be a useful addition to the diet,
exercise, and medication program for type 2 diabetics.
Other
Studies in test tubes and animals suggest that active substances in aloe leaf
extracts (which contain both aloe gel and aloe latex) may have immunostimulant
and anti-cancer effects. This information has inspired the production of a
substance for people with cancer combining aloe leaf, honey, and gin. However,
studies of the use of this substance in people are lacking and, therefore, the
safety and effectiveness of this substance is not known.
Use of aloe may enhance the effectiveness of some medications
used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but well-designed research
trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Aloe is also being evaluated for use in treating asthma.
