Aloe Vera
This fact sheet provides basic information about aloe vera—common names,
uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Aloe vera’s use
can be traced back 6,000 years to early Egypt, where the plant was depicted on
stone carvings. Known as the “plant of immortality,” aloe was presented as a
burial gift to deceased pharaohs.
Common Names—aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall
Latin Names—Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis
What It Is Used For
• Traditionally, aloe was used topically to heal wounds and for various skin
conditions, and orally as a laxative.
• Today, in addition to traditional uses, people take aloe orally to treat a variety
of conditions, including diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and osteoarthritis. People
use aloe topically for osteoarthritis, burns, and sunburns.
• Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin products, including lotions
and sunblocks.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aloe vera as a
natural food flavoring.
How It Is Used
• Aloe leaves contain a clear gel that is often used as a topical ointment.
• The green part of the leaf that surrounds the gel can be used to produce a
juice or a dried substance (called latex) that is taken by mouth.
What the Science Says
• Aloe latex contains strong laxative compounds. Products made with various
components of aloe (aloin, aloe-emodin, and barbaloin) were at one time
regulated by the FDA as oral over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives. In 2002, the
FDA required that all OTC aloe laxative products be removed from the U.S.
market or reformulated because the companies that manufactured them did
not provide the necessary safety data.
• Early studies show that topical aloe gel may help heal burns and abrasions.
One study, however, showed that aloe gel inhibits healing of deep surgical
wounds. Aloe gel does not prevent burns from radiation therapy.
• There is not enough scientific evidence to support aloe vera for any of its
other uses.
Side Effects and Cautions
• Use of topical aloe vera is not associated with significant side effects.
• Abdominal cramps and diarrhea have been reported with oral use of aloe vera.
• Diarrhea, caused by the laxative effect of oral aloe vera, can decrease the absorption of
many drugs.
• People with diabetes who use glucose-lowering medication should be cautious if also taking
aloe by mouth because preliminary studies suggest aloe may lower blood glucose levels.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you
use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure
coordinated and safe care.
Sources
Aloe. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on
June 5, 2007.
Aloe (Aloe vera). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on June 3, 2007.
For More Information
Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view:
• What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/
• Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/
NCCAM Clearinghouse
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
CAM on PubMed
Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov
NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus
Aloe Vera Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-aloe.html
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute
for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage
you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The
mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.
National Institutes of Health
♦♦♦
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Created December 2006
Updated April 2008
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