Aloe Vera Plant
Botanical Description / Habitat
Aloe vera
Family
Liliaceae
Common Names
Barbados aloe
Curacao aloe
Habitat
Wild in southern and eastern Africa and the shores of the Red Sea; it is cultivated in the West Indies, Italy, Malta, Sicily; it has been naturalized in Barbados and been found in the Zapata area of Texas.
It was carried to the New World by the Spanish conquistadors.
Description
The name "aloe" derives from the Arabic "Alloeh" for "bitter, shiny substance". The Egyptians called it the "plant of immortality" and provided it as an offering in tombs of the pharaohs.
The plant has a thick, fibrous root which produces large basal leaves. The leaves are 1-2 feet long and 2-3 feet wide, gradually tapering to a point. They are whitish-green on both sides, bearing spiny teeth on the margins. Red, yellow, purple, or pale-striped flowers are present most of the year, growing in a long raceme at the top of the flower stalk, which originates from the center of the basal leaves. The flower stalk can grow up to 4-1/2 feet in height. Its fruit is a triangular capsule containing numerous seeds.
Medicinal Parts
Juice of the fresh leaves
Historical Properties & Uses
Aloe vera is fetaured on the walls of Egyptian temples, 6,000 years ago.
Aloe vera has an ancient reputation as a remedy for skin conditions and a tonic for the digestive system. In the tropical and subtropical regions, aloe is used to treat skin disorders, wounds, bites, stings, and burns.
Although sometimes exaggerated, the properties of the aloe are remarkable. In experimental and clinical trials, its juice has accelerated the healing of burns, cuts, abrasions, dermatitis, and other skin injuries. Aloe displays effective antibiotic action and, taken internally, promotes gastrointestinal stability.
The jellylike sap of the plant, unlike the juice, is purgative in nature, and proprietary products for internal consumption should contain the juice only. Avoid any products not clearly labeled; they may contain some sap as well.
Different cultures use aloe in much the same way. The fresh leaves of the plant are split open and the juice is applied to burns, sunburns, insect bites, skin irritations, cuts, and abrasions to relieve pain and to speed the healing process. Wounds, including surgical incisions, are treated with aloe to help prevent infection or to help draw it out, and to prevent or minimize scarring.
Some slimming and weight loss programs capitalize upon aloe vera's laxative properties. Pregnant women are often warned not to use aloe because it could cause miscarriage during the first trimester. Herbalists are currently split on whether aloe helps hemorrhoids heal or makes them worse.
Aloe is classified by the German Commission E as a laxative. This refers to a preparation made from the inner leaf. It is not the Aloe gel most of us use and consume.
Method of Action
Aloe Vera Has Cholagogue Action
The cholagogue property of Aloe has been verified to some extent, though more research in this area is needed.
Aloe Vera Is Effective In Treating Skin Problems
Whole leaf or macerated inner gel was successfully used to treat a case of dermatitis enfoliativa over a 5-week period, after other standard treatments failed to produce results.
Although several cases of radiation burns and radiation ulcers have been successfully treated with aloe vera, the herb has never been effective against radium telangiectasia.
Under laboratory conditions, white rats were irradiated in two places to produce severe third degree burns. Areas treated with aloe vera gel showed twice the improvement of saline controls. In another experiment by the same researcher, aloe vera treated rats showed significantly better improvement over controls. In the second study, fresh pulp, partially decomposed pulp or rind were effective. Many other studies have found aloe vera products are effective treatments for burns of various kinds. What is not clear is how these products compare to modern burn treatments. There is a paucity of recent research.
The use of aloe vera products to treat wounds and abrasions has received some support in the experimental literature. Surgically inflicted wounds and sandpaper-abraded skin have responded well to the treatment.
Aloe Vera Has Antibiotic Properties
The antibiotic effects of Aloe have been demonstrated in some cases, but totally absent in other tests, even on the same micro-organisms. The conditions under which one might expect some antibiotic activity have not been clearly determined.
Aloe Vera Has Some Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Some indication of anti-inflammatory activity is available in the literature, but clearly more work is needed to validate this claim.
Aloe Vera Has Other Pharmacological Properties
Oral administration for 6 months was effective against chronic bronchial asthma. To be effective, the extract had to be stored in the dark at 4 degrees centigrade for 7 days prior to administration. Glycoprotein and polysaccharide produced during storage were responsible for the extract's protective effect and the augmentation of resistance against infection.
A couple of studies on aloe extract have shown good prophylactic and therapeutic effects on leukopenia caused by exposure to cobalt 60, and its anti-tumor activity against sarcoma 180 and Ehrich ascites.
Scientific literature yields little to substantiate claims of usefulness for high blood pressure, or diabetes. Technically, the active principles in the plant are currently thought to be mucopolysaccharide in combination with sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Aloe emodins, chrysophanic acid, barbaloin, and anthraquinones probably contribute to the laxative effect but have little to do with other properties.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Aloe vera, due to its cathartic activity, may potentiate anticoagulant therapy by reducing absorption of vitamin K from the gut.
Loss of serum potassium also potentiates cardiac glycosides and antiarrhythmic agents.
Aloes may also inhibit absorption of dextrose from the intestines.
As aloe vera is a cathartic herb, it may increase the intestinal transit time of digitalis glycosides, thereby inhibiting absorption and cardiac action. It should be noted cathartic-induced hypokalemia increases the toxicity and potency of absorbed digitalis as well as potentiating muscle relaxants.
In addition to the specific interactions listed, the cathartic action of aloe vera tends to hasten the passage of all oral medications through the gut, thus inhibiting their action.
Possible Interactions
Laxative-induced diarrhea caused by aloe vera may result in the decreased absorption of isoniazid; the same is true of sulfisoxazole, however this appears to be a clinically unimportant interaction effect.
Comments
Laxative-induced increased speed of intestinal emptying caused by aloes may result in decreased absorption of vitamin K and/or anticoagulants.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Aloe Vera is regarded as safe by the FDA. However, it would be wise to respect the purgative ability of this herb, and it use it internally with caution.
Some herbalist maintain aloes should not be taken during pregnancy. This belief is based on two assumptions: a strong purgative will cause abortion, as it tends to cause everything in the body to be expelled, including the fetus; and second, aloe is an emmenagogue (an agent promoting menstruation) and will therefore tend to promote the aborting of the fetus from the uterus.
Research to support the connection between purgation and abortion is lacking. Research to support the emmenagogue property of the herb is scanty and contradictory.
Until the issue has been defined by further research, caution should be used.
The following statement by medical authorities should be noted:
"Aloe is a very irritating cathartic which produce considerable gripping and pelvic congestion; also may cause kidney damage (nephritis) in the mother and fetus. In addition, increased intestinal peristalsis is elicited in the fetus resulting in meconium release into the amniotic fluid."
Adverse reactions from topical application have been described after dermabrasion and chemical peel. (Hunter, 1991)
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E.
The German Commission E recommends a limited duration for the use of this herb of 1 - 2 weeks, without medical advice.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Juice of leaf
applied locally every 2-3 hours
Internal use
5-10 ml three times a day
Dried aqueous extract of leaf
250 mg three times a day
The German Commission E recommends using aloe for a limited duration of 1 - 2 weeks, without medical advice.
In Germany, the smallest dosage to maintain a soft stool is used, 20 - 30 mg calculated as anhydrous aloin.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
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