Aloe Vera: The Science Behind Its Benefits and What You Should Know About Its Safety
Common Names: Aloe
Latin Names: Aloe vera, Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis
Background
Aloe vera, a succulent plant often mistaken for a cactus due to its arid climate adaptation, thrives in hot, dry environments. This hardy plant is cultivated across subtropical regions globally, including southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Historically, aloe has been valued for its potential benefits in treating skin conditions, promoting wound healing, and addressing issues like baldness.
Aloe vera is utilized in two main forms: topically and orally. Topical applications are commonly used for conditions such as acne, lichen planus (a persistent itchy rash), oral submucous fibrosis, burning mouth syndrome, burns, and radiation-induced skin toxicity. Oral consumption of aloe is promoted for weight loss, diabetes management, hepatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated the removal of aloe from over-the-counter laxative products due to insufficient safety data.
How Much Do We Know?
Research into aloe’s efficacy as a dietary supplement and topical treatment is ongoing. Clinical studies have explored its impact on various health conditions.
What Have We Learned?
- Acne Treatment: Clinical research suggests that applying an aloe-based gel twice daily, along with medical soap and tretinoin gel, may improve acne.
- Burn Healing: Evidence indicates that topical aloe gel may accelerate the healing process for burns and reduce associated pain.
- Skin Conditions: Topical aloe may be beneficial for individuals with herpes simplex, lichen planus, or psoriasis.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Three trials involving 236 adults have assessed oral aloe vera for IBS symptoms. One trial reported a benefit, while the other two found no advantage over placebo.
- Ulcerative Colitis: A European study involving 44 adults with ulcerative colitis compared aloe vera gel to a placebo. Nearly half of the aloe vera recipients responded to treatment, compared to 14% of those receiving the placebo.
- Other Uses: Aloe vera has been investigated for diabetic foot ulcers and dental plaque. However, scientific evidence is insufficient to confirm its effectiveness for these conditions. A 2009 review of various studies concluded that more research is needed to determine aloe’s clinical effectiveness for different skin conditions.
What Do We Know About Safety?
- Topical Use: Aloe gel is generally well tolerated but can occasionally cause burning, itching, and eczema.
- Oral Use: Aloe latex can lead to abdominal pain and cramps. Long-term oral consumption of aloe leaf extracts has been linked to cases of acute hepatitis.
- Cancer Concerns: Animal studies have shown a potential association between oral aloe vera leaf extract and gastrointestinal cancer. However, these findings involve products not commonly used by consumers, highlighting the need for further research to understand its relevance to human health.
- Interactions and Risks: Overuse of aloe latex may increase the risk of adverse effects from the heart medication digoxin. Aloe, whether in gel or latex form, may be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Keep in Mind
Take an active role in managing your health by discussing any complementary health approaches with your healthcare providers. Collaborative decision-making ensures that you make informed choices about your health and wellness.
