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Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a common houseplant that has traditionally been used topically to alleviate burns and pain on the skin. Oral ingestion helps speed up intestinal motility (and has been used against constipation) and aloe vera contains a large amount of antioxidants.

Our evidence-based analysis on aloe vera features 19 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Aloe vera

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Aloe vera is a herb traditionally used to ease digestion as a folk remedy, and to alleviate pain from burns when used topically. It has recently gained popularity as an anti-obesity agent.

Preliminary studies show benefit with aloe vera in controlling weight, but the mechanisms do not seem as potent as other anti-obesity supplements. Aloe vera is also a generally healthy compound, but has been implicated in multiple cases of liver problems (which are not too common, although resurgent) and has a lower toxicity threshold than other herbal supplements.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

The only human study on aloe vera used 300 mg twice daily. There is no evidence to suggest whether this is the best dose, but benefit was seen at this dosage.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Aloe vera has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-c
Canker Sores
Minor Very High See 2 studies
Appears to be more effective than control, but less effective than the reference drug of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Other Functions:

Also Known As

Aloe Barbadensis

Goes Well With

Caution Notice

Aloe at normal supplementation doses has been shown to cause liver problems in some people, possibly due to a genetic susceptibility. The symptoms are reversible if the supplement is stopped.

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This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 19 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Aloe vera.

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