Aloe Vera Remedies

Aloe Vera Remedies: What are the uses for Aloe Vera?

Keywords: burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant's gall, laxative, aloin, aloe-emodin, barbaloin, abrasions.

Introduction

Here is some basic information about aloe vera and aloe vera remedies. You can learn about this plant's 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.

Aloe Vera Benefits:

1. Traditionally, aloe was used topically to heal wounds and for various skin conditions, and orally as a laxative.
2. 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.
3. Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin products, including lotions and sunblocks. It is very beneficial in the healing of burned tissues.
4. Many people use aloe for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, pain-relieving and anti-aging (skin) effects. (Asa Hershoff, N.D. and Andrea Rotelli, N.D., "Herbal Remedies", p. 120)
5. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aloe vera as a natural food flavoring.

How Aloe Vera Is Used

1. One of the benefits of Aloe vera is that its leaves contain a clear gel that is often used as a topical ointment.
2. 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. According to the Mayo Clinic's web site, "There is strong scientific evidence in support of the laxative properties of aloe latex, based on the well-established cathartic properties of anthroquinone glycosides (found in aloe latex)." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aloe-vera/NS_patient-aloe

What the Science Says and Aloe Vera Remedies

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Aloe gel does not prevent burns from radiation therapy.

Side Effects and Cautions of Using Aloe Vera

1. Use of topical aloe vera is not associated with significant side effects.
2. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea have been reported with oral use of aloe vera.
3. Diarrhea, caused by the laxative effect of oral aloe vera, can decrease the absorption of many drugs.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Additional Sources

1. Aloe. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. June 5, 2007.
2. Aloe (Aloe vera). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed on June 3, 2007. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/aloevera/
3. Latin Names: Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis.