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Botanical illustration of Aloe
MedicinalSourced entry

Aloe

Aloe vera

A succulent whose leaf gel is used on burns and skin conditions. Gel on the skin may speed burn healing; aloe taken by mouth carries real risks.

Aloe may interact with some medicines. If you take any medicine, read Interactions with medicines below and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

What is Aloe?

Plant family
Asphodelaceae, the aloe family
Parts used
The leaf: the clear inner gel, the yellow latex under the skin, or the whole crushed leaf
Where it grows
Grown in hot, dry, subtropical regions worldwide, including the southern border areas of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California
Genus
Aloe
Species
vera

Also called

Aloe Vera

Older scientific names

Aloe barbadensis

Traditionally used for

  • Burns
  • Skin conditions
  • Blood sugar

Traditionally described as

    Health topics

    Where Aloe appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.

    Safety

    Interactions with medicines

    • Overusing aloe latex may increase the risk of side effects from heart medicines called cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin. If you take any medicine, talk with your health care provider before using aloe.[1]

    Side effects

    • Aloe gel on the skin is generally well tolerated, though burning, itching, rash and eczema have occasionally been reported. Aloe gel by mouth for up to 42 days appears safe. Aloe latex by mouth can cause belly pain, cramps and diarrhea.[1]

    Pregnancy

    • Aloe gel, latex or whole-leaf extract taken by mouth may be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.[1]

    Toxicity testing

    • Taking aloe leaf extracts by mouth, for as little as 3 weeks or as long as 5 years, has been linked to cases of sudden liver inflammation (acute hepatitis). The International Agency for Research on Cancer classes whole-leaf aloe vera extract that hasn't had its harsh compounds removed (non-decolorized) as a possible cause of cancer in humans, based on gut cancers in rats and mice.[1]

    Depends on how it's prepared

    • In 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration required aloe latex to be removed from over-the-counter laxatives because of a lack of safety data. Products differ a lot: the inner gel, the latex and the whole crushed leaf have different effects and risks.[1]

    What does the research say?

    Traditional use

    These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

    • Aloe was used in ancient Greece, Rome, Babylonia and China, mainly for skin conditions and to help wounds heal, and was thought to prevent early graying of hair. Today the gel is promoted for use on the skin for acne, psoriasis, burns and skin damage from radiation, and aloe taken by mouth is promoted for weight loss, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.[1]

    Research in people

    • Research in people suggests:

      • Burns: aloe gel on the skin may speed healing and reduce pain
      • Acne: two small studies suggest aloe gel, used with other treatments, may help
      • A small amount of research suggests it may help genital herpes, lichen planus (an itchy rash), psoriasis, skin damage from radiation, and mouth sores
      • Diabetes: a small amount of research suggests aloe by mouth may lower blood sugar and HbA1c
      • Weight: in one small study, an aloe gel product taken for 8 weeks slightly reduced weight and body fat in adults with overweight and diabetes or prediabetes

      There isn't enough reliable information on eczema, diabetic foot ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis.[1]

    In short

    Aloe latex and leaf extracts by mouth can cause diarrhea and have been linked to liver injury. Avoid by mouth in pregnancy.

    Sources

    1. [1] Aloe Vera: Usefulness and Safety — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)Government health agency

    This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.