Aloe

Aloe vera has a long history of use as a medicinal plant, with written records of its use going back to 1750 BC. Today it is grown in most subtropical and tropical locations, including the Caribbean, southern United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. Many people also grow a small potted version indoors for use in healing minor burns and cuts.

Plant Description

Aloe vera is a perennial plant with yellow flowers. Its tough, fleshy, spearlike leaves can grow up to 20 inches long, and the whole plant up to 4 feet high. Only the leaves are used for medicine, but different parts of the leaves are used for different purposes. The clear, thick gel that is most commonly associated with aloe vera comes from the inner part of the leaf. Between this gel and the outer skin of the leaf are some special cells that contain a bitter yellow juice. When this juice is dried, it forms aloe latex.

What's It Made Of?

Aloe gel contains glycoproteins, which stop pain and inflammation and speed the healing process, and polysaccharides, which stimulate skin growth and repair. The anthraquinones in aloe latex work as powerful laxatives, and in smaller amounts, these chemicals can help stop kidney stone formation.

Aloe gel can be used to heal both internal and external wounds. It greatly speeds the healing of many skin injuries, including ulcerations, burns, and frostbite. Aloe latex is a powerful laxative, but because it can cause painful cramping, it is not used frequently. In smaller doses, aloe latex can help prevent kidney stones or reduce their size. It is also useful as a stool softener, particularly in people who have painful hemorrhoids.

Aloe juice is a liquid form of aloe gel that you can take internally. Because it has antibacterial properties, aloe juice can be used to treat bacterial infections in the gastro-intestinal tract. It is also effective for healing peptic ulcers because it reduces the stomach acids that aggravate ulcers.

Recent studies have shown that acetylated mannose, an antiviral component of aloe, has important HIV-fighting properties. Acetylated mannose attacks the virus itself, but more important, it greatly enhances the action of AZT, a powerful drug used to treat HIV infection. If taken in conjunction with aloe, the amount of AZT taken for HIV could be reduced by 90 percent, which would greatly reduce the expense and side effects associated with AZT.

Available Forms

Aloe gel is best fresh from an aloe plant, but it is also available commercially in a stabilized gel form. Aloe latex is available in a powdered form or in 500-mg capsules for use as a laxative. Aloe juice is a liquid form of the gel.

How to Take It

Aloe gel is best when taken fresh from the plant. Many people keep an aloe plant in their kitchen to treat minor burns or cuts. It can also be effective for treating hives and poison ivy. To use the gel, slit a leaf lengthwise and remove the gel inside. Apply liberally to affected area.

Aloe latex has been used traditionally as a laxative, but it is used infrequently in the US. Because it can produce painful cramping, other gentler herbal laxatives such as cascara and senna are recommended first.

For kidney stones and as a stool softener, take 0.05 to 0.2 grams of dry aloe extract (latex).

For HIV, take 800 to 1600 mg of acetylated mannose per day. This is equivalent to .5 to 1 liter of aloe vera juice, although amounts of acetylated mannose may vary in different products.

Precautions

Aloe gel is safe for external use, unless it causes a rare allergic reaction. Discontinue use if it irritates the skin. Aloe gel is not useful for treatment of deep wounds. Aloe latex may cause severe intestinal cramps or diarrhea. Pregnant or nursing women should not take aloe latex because it may cause uterine contractions and trigger miscarriage. Aloe latex is not recommended for gastrointestinal illness, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, or stomach pain of unknown cause. It may aggravate ulcers, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, diverticulitis, colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. If it's taken over a long period of time, aloe latex can cause dependence or disturb the electrolyte balance. It may also cause urine to turn a harmless red color. Children under 12 should not use aloe latex.

Possible Interactions

Chronic internal use of aloe could cause potassium deficiency. Low potassium levels can interfere with certain heart medications, like digoxin or other antiarrhythmic medications used to correct irregular heartbeat. The potential for potassium deficiency is greater if you use aloe with licorice, corticosteroid medications, and most diuretics (except potassium-sparing diuretics that do not deplete potassium levels). It is best to avoid taking aloe with any of these medications.

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