Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been used by people for thousands of years to treat wounds, skin infections, burns, and other skin conditions.

However, scientific evidence has shown only proof towards the use of laxative properties of aloe latex for constipation.

From anti-aging perspective, however, the interesting thing is that there is preliminary support from laboratory, animal, and human studies that topical aloe gel has immunomodulatory properties which may improve wound healing and skin inflammation.

Aloe Vera can also be drinked as a health drink.

Manufacturers of such drinks claim that of the 240+ species of Aloe, only four are recognized as having nutritional value, with Aloe barbadensis miller in the lead in nutritional terms.

According to the manufacturers, Aloe Vera gel contains over 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins.

Due to the lack of research on Aloe Vera, however, the safety of Aloe, in any form, is still a concern.

Aloe Vera - Studies

Odes H.S., Madar Z. A double-blind trial of a celandin, aloevera and psyllium laxative preparation in adult patients with constipation. Digestion 49:65-71, 1991.

Brusick D, Mengs U. Assessment of the genotoxic risk from laxative senna products. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 29:1-9, 1997.

Ishii Y, Tanizawa H, Takino Y. Studies of aloe. V. Mechanism of cathartic effect (4). Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 17:651-3, 1994.

Grindlay D, Reynolds T. The Aloe vera phenomenon: A review of the properties and modern uses of the leaf parenchyma gel. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 16(2-3):117-151, 1986.

Davis RH, Leitner MG, Russo JM, Byrne ME. Wound healing. Oral and topical activity of aloe vera. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 79:559-562, 1989.

Agarwal OP. Prevention of atheromatous heart disease. Angiology 36:485-492, 1985.

Ghannam N and others. The antidiabetic activity of aloes: Preliminary clinical and experimental observations. Hormone Research 24:288-294, 1986.

Ajabnoor MA. Effect of aloes on blood glucose levels in normal and alloxan diabetic mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 28:215-220, 1990.

Al-Awadi F, Fatania H, Shamte U. The effect of a plants mixture extract on liver gluconeogenesis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes Research 18:163-168, 1991.

Roman-Ramos R and others. Experimental study of the hypoglycemic effect of some antidiabetic plants. Archivos de Investigacion Medica 22(1):87-93, 1991.


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