Aloe

Major therapeutic interest

• Treating skin lesions, moderately deep wounds, and first- and second-degree thermal burns (gel used topically);
• Relieving occasional constipation (latex taken orally).

Other therapeutic interest / Traditional Use

• Treating genital herpes (gel used topically);
• Treating desquamation, erythema, and infiltration linked to psoriasis (gel used topically);
• Reducing undesirable effects on skin caused by radiation therapy: erythema, desquamation, and itching (gel used topically);
• Lowering blood glucose levels in diabetics (gel taken orally);
• Treating hyperlipidemia (excess of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood) (gel taken orally).

Cons-indications

Latex (taken orally):

• Children under 12 years of age;
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• Cardiac diseases;
• Abdominal pains of unknown origin;
• Heavy menstruation;
• Intestinal obstruction, acute intestinal inflammation;
• Diarrhea;
• Chronic or severe constipation;
• Hemorrhoids;
• Ulcers;
• Appendicitis;
• Kidney disorders;
• Varicose veins;
• Long-term use (more than 8 to 10 days).

Gel (taken orally):

• Diabetes: Use carefully, under close medical supervision with closely monitored blood glucose levels.

Important Notice

• Although aloe gel is traditionally believed to reduce blood glucose levels when taken orally, no aloe products can replace conventional diabetes medication. Medication prescribed by a physician should never be replaced with an alternative remedy. Self-medication can cause serious problems. Diabetics using aloe as a supplement require strict glycemia monitoring;
• Aloe gel should not be applied to severely infected wounds.

Drug Interactions

Known human interactions

Gel:

• Increases the hypoglycemic effect of Diabeta;

Suspected interactions

Latex (high doses or long-term use):

• May increase potassium loss caused by diuretics (Hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix, Aldactone, etc.) and corticosteroids (Prednisone);
• May increase the effect of Lanoxin;
• May decrease the absorption of oral medications due to accelerated intestinal transit.

Gel: 

• May increase effect of insulin and oral antidiabetics (Actos, Diamicron, Avandia, Glucophage, etc.), requiring dosage adjustments for diabetic patients.

Parts used

Latex (sap) and gel (from the leaves)

Main constituents

• Latex: Anthracenic derivatives (anthraquinones, barboline, isobarboline, aloe-emodine, etc.), bitters;
• Gel: Polysaccharides, pectins.
• Note: The latex and gel act in different ways.

Other names

Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe capensis, Burn Plant