Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera

Asphodelaceae/Liliaceae family

Who hasn’t heard of aloe vera for burns?  But did you know that it’s also proven useful in relieving stomach ulcers and reducing blood glucose levels in type-2 diabetics? 

Of course, aloe vera may be the first herbal medicine most modern Americans have used.  It’s widely recognized as a premier treatment for burns, ready to serve at a moment’s notice without any special preparation involved.  Pharmaceutical and supplement packagers tout it as an active ingredient in their formulations.  Thrifty consumers grow their own at home.

One small study found that a 0.5% cream with aloe vera healed burns faster than sulfadiazine.  Another showed that a 70% aloe cream worked as well as 0.1% triamcinolone for psoriasis.[1]

Long promoted just for treating minor burns, aloe vera is now a primary ingredient in health drinks. 

Aloe prefers growing in desert environments in full sun.  It requires little water.  Propagate new plants by removing the offsets at the base and start them in a separate pot. [2] 

HARVEST

Snip a leaf from the plant.  Slice down the center of the leaf and peel back the edges.  Then scrape out the gel with a butter knife.[3]   Or if you don’t need the whole leaf, just snip off the tip of the leaf.

EFFECTIVE AGAINST

• Bacteria
• Gram positive
• Mycobacterium spp. [4]
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis[5]
• Staphylococcus aureus[6]
• Streptococcus pyogenes[7]
• Streptococcus faecalis[8]
• Gram negative
• Escherichia coli[9]
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa[10]
• Salmonella typhi[11]
• Shigella[12]
• Fungi
• Candida albicans[13]
• Viruses
• Cytomegalovirus[14]
• Herpes simplex 1 and 2[15]
• Influenza[16]
• Pseudorabies[17]
• Varicella zoster[18]

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

• Analgesic[19]
• Anthelmintic[20]
• Antibacterial[21]
• Antidiabetic (type-2) [22]
• Antifungal[23]
• Anti-inflammatory[24] [25] [26]
• Antioxidant[27]
• Antiseptic[28] [29]
• Astringent[30]
• Carminative[31]
• Cholagogue[32]
• Demulcent[33]
• Diuretic[34]
• Emmenagogue[35]
• Emollient[36] [37] [38] [39]
• Hemostatic[40]
• Laxative[41] [42]
• Purgative[43] [44] [45] [46]
• Soothing[47]
• Stomachic[48]
• Vulnerary[49] [50] [51] [52]

PREPARATIONS

Gel

1.     Scoop directly from the fresh leaves, avoiding the skin and outermost layer of the leaves (this is where the laxative properties lie). [53]  Repeat applications several times per day. [54]

2.     Leave the gel in the leaf, cutting off only as much as needed for each application.  If any gel remains in the cut off portion, wrap it in plastic to keep it fresh and prevent the gel from leaking out. [55]

Most herbalists recommend commercial preparations for creams and lotions, since the fresh gel spoils quickly.  If, however, making your own, ascorbic acid or 500 IU of vitamin C can be added to act as a natural preservative. [56]

Juice.  Dilute the gel in water.

• CARDIOVASCULAR
• Varicose veins[57]
• DENTAL/ORAL
• Mouth ulcers[58]
• Sore tongue[59]
• ENDOCRINE
• Blood glucose levels
• Internal usage[60]
• 1 tablespoon per day[61]
• Splenopathy[62]
• GASTROINTESTINAL  
• (Herbalists disagree as to whether aloe vera is appropriate for usage with colic, colitis, irritable bowel, and ulcerative colitis.  If these conditions are of concern to you, research them in greater depth.)
• Colic[63]
• Colitis
• Internal usage[64]
• 2 tablespoons, 2x per day[65]
• Dyspepsia
• Juice[66]
• Gastric ulcers[67]
• Internal usage[68] [69]
• 2.5  tablespoons, 3x per day[70]
• Hemorrhoids
• Internal usage[71]
• Irritable bowel
• Internal usage[72] [73]
• Constipation[74] [75]
• Internal usage[76]
• The bitter yellow liquid secreted by the leaves, as opposed to the gel within the leaves[77]
• Peptic ulcers
• Internal usage
• 1 ounce juice in 2 ounces of water before each meal[78]
• Stomach disorders
• Internal usage[79]
• Ulcerative colitis
• Gel[80]
• HEPATIC
• Hepatopathy[81]
• Jaundice[82]
• MUSCULOSKELETAL
• Arthritis[83]
• Internal or external usage[84] [85]
• Liniment[86]
• Whole leaf juice[87]
• Bursitis
• Liniment[88]
• Internal or external usage[89]
• Lumbago
• Juice[90]
• Sciatica
• Juice[91]
• NEUROLOGICAL
• Headaches
• Internal usage[92]
• Topical[93]
• Insomnia
• Internal usage[94]
• RESPIRATORY
• Asthma
• Internal usage[95]
• Cough[96]
• SKIN
• Abrasions
• External usage[97] [98] [99]
• Acne[100] [101]
• Anal fissure[102]
• Bedsores[103]
• Gel[104]
• Boils[105]
• Burns[106] [107] [108] [109]
• External usage[110] [111] [112]
• Excellent dressing when combined with St. John’s wort[113]
• First, second, and third degree[114]
• Carbuncles
• Juice[115]
• Contact dermatitis[116]
• External usage[117]
• Especially if mixed with essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, peppermint, chamomile, or geranium[118]
• Cracked nipples
• Gel[119]
• Cysts[120]
• Eczema[121] [122]
• Apply gel liberally, 2x per day[123]
• Frostbite[124]
• Herpes sores[125]
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• External usage[126]
• Hyperadenosis[127]
• Impetigo[128]
• Insect bites and stings[129]
• Lacerations[130]
• External usage[131] [132]
• Psoriasis[133]
• External usage[134]
• Radiation burns[135] [136] [137]
• Rashes[138] [139]
• Skin ulcers[140] [141]
• Sunburn[142]
• External usage[143] [144] [145] [146]
• Wounds[147] [148] [149]
• External usage[150] [151]
• Especially in type-2 diabetics[152]
• UROGENITAL
• Amenorrhea
• Juice[153]
• Edema
• Juice[154]
• Genital herpes
• External usage[155]
• Kidney ailments
• Internal usage[156]
• OTHER
• AIDS
• Whole leaf juice[157]
• Cancer[158]
• Whole leaf juice[159]
• Skin cancer[160]
• Natural sunscreen[161]

CAUTIONS:  Should not be used internally by pregnant or nursing women or children under 10 years of age.. [163] [164] Do not use in topical treatments for staph or staph-related infections like impetigo.  Aloe seals in the staph bacteria, creating ideal conditions in which they multiply. [165]  Do not administer to patients with inflammatory intestinal diseases including appendicitis, Crohn’s, diverticulitis, irritable bowel, or ulcerative colitis. 

---

[1] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[2] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[3] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 42.

[4] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[5] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[6] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[7] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[8] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[9] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[10] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[11] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[12] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[13] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[14] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[15] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[16] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[17] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[18] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[19] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[20] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[21] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[22] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[23] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[24] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[25] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[26] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[27] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[28] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[29] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[30] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[31] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[32] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[33] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[34] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[35] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[36] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[37] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[38] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[39] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[40] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[41] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[42] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[43] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[44] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[45] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[46] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[47] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[48] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[49] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[50] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[51] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[52] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[53] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[54] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 173.

[55] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[56] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[57] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[58] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[59] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[60] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[61] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 193.

[62] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[63] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[64] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[65] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 193.

[66] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[67] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[68] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[69] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[70] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[71] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[72] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[73] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[74] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[75] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[76] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[77] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[78] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 81.

[79] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[80] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[81] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[82] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[83] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[84] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[85] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[86] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[87] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 172.

[88] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[89] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[90] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[91] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[92] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[93] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[94] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[95] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[96] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[97] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[98] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[99] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[100] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[101] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[102] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[103] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[104] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[105] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[106] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[107] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 81.

[108] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[109] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[110] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[111] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[112] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 445-6.

[113] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 284.

[114] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[115] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[116] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[117] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[118] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 81.

[119] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[120] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[121] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[122] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 81.

[123] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[124] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[125] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[126] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 81.

[127] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[128] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[129] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[130] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[131] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[132] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 81.

[133] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/

[134] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[135] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[136] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[137] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[138] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[139] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 81.

[140] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[141] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[142] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[143] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[144] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[145] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[146] Joseph Alton, et al., Survival Medicine Handbook, 2021, 445-6.

[147] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[148] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 64.

[149] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[150] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[151] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 89.

[152] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[153] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[154] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[155] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[156] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 191.

[157] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 172.

[158] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[159] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 172.

[160] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e9ca/6b5440addd5545217498bcdd4c6fb91fd76f.pdf

[161] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[162] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[163] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103

[164] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2014, 193.

[165] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, 103