Aloe vera
Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) · 芦荟
Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, African, Caribbean and Latin American & Amazon.
Also called Aloe, Sabila, Ghritakumari, Lu hui
Pinyin: Lú Huì
Spanish: Sábila
Sanskrit: घृतकुमारी (Ghritakumari)
Oral latex can cause harmA spiky succulent whose clear gel is used on skin, and whose yellow sap is a strong laxative.
Did you know? The yellow sap just under the leaf skin is a strong laxative. In 2002, US regulators moved to pull aloe laxatives from shelves unless makers reformulated them.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Wounds, burns & bites. Gel may help minor burns and wounds heal in small trials. Evidence is mixed, and serious burns need medical care.Early proof
- Skin. Gel may soothe sunburn and irritated skin, and some small trials support use for psoriasis.Early proof
- Constipation. Aloe latex (the yellow sap) works as a laxative, but it can cause cramps and harm. It is not a safe long-term choice.Early proof
- Blood sugar. A few small studies of aloe taken by mouth report lower blood sugar. Results are weak.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Used for skin and burns in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. In Ayurveda, aloe (kumari) is used for skin and digestion. In Chinese medicine, aloe (lu hui) is used to purge constipation and clear heat from the liver.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Vulnerary, Demulcent, Laxative, Anti-inflammatory. Energy: cooling.
- Ayurveda
- Calms Pitta. Taste (rasa): bitter. Energy (virya): cooling. After digestion (vipaka): pungent. Rechana (laxative).
- Chinese medicine
- 芦荟 Purge. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter. Enters the Liver, Stomach and Large Intestine channels.
How people take it
Gel is applied to skin for minor burns, sunburn or irritation. Oral aloe juice is used in some traditions for constipation or blood sugar, but oral latex and leaf extracts carry real risks.
Gel, topical, juice and capsule.
Where to get it
A succulent grown in warm, dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, India, the Caribbean and the Americas. Gel comes from the inner leaf, and latex is the yellow sap from the leaf rind. Sold as gel, juice, capsules and creams.
Be careful
Topical gel is safe for most people, though it can cause a skin rash. Oral aloe latex and leaf extracts can cause diarrhea, cramps, kidney problems and loss of electrolytes such as potassium. In a US government study, a whole-leaf extract caused large-bowel tumors in rats at high doses, so long-term oral use is not advised.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; kidney disease; intestinal blockage; children under 12.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Often combined in soothing skin products for minor burns and irritation.
- Works well together
Both are common in soothing skin creams.
- Works well together
Both are gels used on minor skin wounds in folk care.
- Don't mixWater pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
Aloe latex can cause potassium loss, which adds to the effects of diuretics.
- Use cautionDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Oral aloe may lower blood sugar, which can add to diabetes medicines.
- Use cautionHeart rhythm medicine (digoxin, amiodarone)
Potassium loss from aloe latex can raise the risk of heart rhythm problems with heart drugs such as digoxin.
Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.
The honest take
Gel on minor burns and skin irritation has some trial support, but the trials are small. Aloe latex works as a laxative, but it can harm the kidneys and electrolytes, and US regulators pulled many aloe laxatives. Many aloe drinks contain little active gel, and claims that they detox the body are not supported.