Aloe Vera

Last Updated: September 28 2022

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.

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Aloe Vera is most often used for

Summary

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.

What else is Aloe Vera known as?
Note that Aloe Vera is also known as:
  • Aloe Barbadensis
Dosage information

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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References
1.^Vinson JA, Al Kharrat H, Andreoli LEffect of Aloe vera preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and EPhytomedicine.(2005 Nov)
4.^Nema NK, Maity N, Sarkar BK, Mukherjee PKDetermination of trace and heavy metals in some commonly used medicinal herbs in AyurvedaToxicol Ind Health.(2012 Dec 6)
6.^Fanali S, Aturki Z, D'Orazio G, Rocco A, Ferranti A, Mercolini L, Raggi MAAnalysis of Aloe-based phytotherapeutic products by using nano-LC-MSJ Sep Sci.(2010 Sep)
7.^Kuzuya H, Tamai I, Beppu H, Shimpo K, Chihara TDetermination of aloenin, barbaloin and isobarbaloin in aloe species by micellar electrokinetic chromatographyJ Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl.(2001 Mar 5)
10.^Rodríguez Rodríguez E, Darias Martín J, Díaz Romero CAloe vera as a functional ingredient in foodsCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr.(2010 Apr)
11.^Shin E, Shin S, Kong H, Lee S, Do SG, Jo TH, Park YI, Lee CK, Hwang IK, Kim KDietary Aloe Reduces Adipogenesis via the Activation of AMPK and Suppresses Obesity-related Inflammation in Obese MiceImmune Netw.(2011 Apr)
12.^Yagi A, Kabash A, Okamura N, Haraguchi H, Moustafa SM, Khalifa TIAntioxidant, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects of aloesin derivatives in Aloe veraPlanta Med.(2002 Nov)
14.^Bhalang K, Thunyakitpisal P, Rungsirisatean NAcemannan, a Polysaccharide Extracted from Aloe vera, Is Effective in the Treatment of Oral Aphthous UlcerationJ Altern Complement Med.(2012 Dec 16)
15.^Babaee N, Zabihi E, Mohseni S, Moghadamnia AAEvaluation of the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitisDent Res J (Isfahan).(2012 Jul)
16.^Saito M, Tanaka M, Misawa E, Yamada M, Yamauchi K, Iwatsuki KAloe vera Gel Extract Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Lipid Accumulation by Suppressing the Expression of Lipogenic Genes in MiceBiosci Biotechnol Biochem.(2012 Nov 23)
17.^Bottenberg MM, Wall GC, Harvey RL, Habib SOral aloe vera-induced hepatitisAnn Pharmacother.(2007 Oct)
18.^Yang HN, Kim DJ, Kim YM, Kim BH, Sohn KM, Choi MJ, Choi YHAloe-induced toxic hepatitisJ Korean Med Sci.(2010 Mar)
19.^Jiménez-Encarnación E, Ríos G, Muñoz-Mirabal A, Vilá LMEuforia-induced acute hepatitis in a patient with sclerodermaBMJ Case Rep.(2012 Dec 19)