Aloe is a genus containing about four hundred species of flowering succulent plants.
The genus is native to Africa and is common in South Africa's Cape Province and the mountains of tropical
Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula and the islands off Africa.
Many Aloe species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. Some species, in particular
Aloe vera are purported to have medicinal properties.
Aloe vera has a long history of cultivation throughout the drier tropical and subtropical regions of the
world, both as an ornamental plant and for herbal medicine.
External uses:
Aloe vera has been used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and eczema. It is
alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation. Evidence on the effects of A. vera sap
on wound, however, healing is contradictory (Vogler and Ernst, 1999). A study performed in the 1990s showed
that the healing time of a moderate to severe burn was reduced when the wound was treated on a regular basis
with Aloe vera gel, compared to the healing of the wound covered in a gauze bandage (Farrar, 2005). In contrast,
another study suggested wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal (Schmidt and
Greenspoon, 1991).
Aloe vera's beneficial properties may be attributed to mucopolysaccharides present in the inner gel of the
leaf, especially acemannan (acetylated mannans). An injectable form of acemannan manufactured and marketed by
Carrington Laboratories as Acemannan Immunostimulant™ has been approved in the USA for treatment of
fibrosarcoma (a type of cancer) in dogs and cats after clinical trials. It has not been approved for use by
humans, and although it is not a drug its sale is controlled and it can only be obtained through a veterinary doctor.
Cosmetic companies add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, moisturisers, soaps,
sunscreens, shampoos and lotions. Aloe vera gel is also alleged to be useful for dry skin conditions, especially
eczema around the eyes and sensitive facial skin.
An article published in the British Journal of General Practice suggests that Aloe vera is effective at treating
athlete's foot.
Internal uses:
Aloe contains a number of medicinal substances used as a purgative.
Aloes is the expressed juice of the leaves of the plant. When the leaves are cut, the juice that flows out is
collected and evaporated.
There have been very few properly conducted studies about possible benefits of aloe gel taken internally. One
study found improved wound healing in mice. Another found a positive effect of lowering risk factors in patients
with heart disease. Some research has shown decreasing fasting blood sugar in diabetic animals given aloe. None
of these studies can be considered to be definitive.
