Aloe

How You May Benefit:

Aid digestion
Soothe intestinal irritation and fight bacteria and viruses
Strengthen connective tissue
Stimulate cell regeneration and connective-tissue formation to help heal wounds and burns
Fight infections
Increase immune functioning by stimulating activity of white blood cells
Nourish the skin
Replenish lost moisturize and heal dry, damaged skin

Overview

Aloe has a great reputation for helping heal damaged tissues and is probably most well-known for its healing properties for burns. So it's worth a try if you've been out on a beach revealing the hard work you've put into your body and need a little relief from too much sun. It also appears to be effective for helping heal insect bites, cuts, welts, bruises, and even acne.

The Full Story

Usage

Amount and Timing: Aloe gels can be applied topically throughout the day on an as-needed basis.

Two to six ounces of aloe juice per day can be consumed in two divided dosages. (No more than one quart should be consumed per day.) Or, 100-mg capsules of aloe may be used up to 3 times a day.

Tips: The gel can be taken directly from the plant—just cut off part of a leaf and apply the oozing gel to the irritation. If there's extra gel, wrap the leaf and store it in the fridge for later use. Commercial preparations can also be purchased. If going with the store-bought variety, search for those that are at least 97% pure aloe for the highest quality products.

If you fall off your mountain bike and get some scrapes or sunburn your skin during an afternoon run or a day at the beach, you may want to reach for this well-known plant. Best known for helping soothe burns and minor wounds, aloe may also help speed healing. Research is also finding that when aloe is taken orally, it may help fight viruses, fungi, and bacteria, while boosting immune functioning.

Safety Information

Safety:

While not common, allergies to aloe are not unheard of, so experts recommend applying small amounts to the skin to make sure no stinging or rash occurs with use.
If you are pregnant or nursing, aloe consumption is not recommended. (It may still be applied topically.)
Aloe has actually been shown to slow the healing of deep, vertical wounds (think surgery) and is therefore not recommended in these cases.
When consuming aloe, use over two weeks is not recommended without the care of a physician because it may lead to a potassium deficiency.

Known drug interactions:
The risk for a potassium deficiency may increase if aloe is taken (by mouth, not topically) with thiazide diuretics, cortico-steroids, and licorice root.

Toxicity:
None known with topical use. When amounts over a quart are consumed for over two weeks, it may lead to electrolyte and fluid imbalances.

Bans and Restrictions:
None reported.

References

Bruce, W., "Investigations of the Antibacterial Activity in the Aloe," S Afr Med J 41.38 (1967) : 984.

Davis, R.H., et al., "Isolation of a Stimulatory System in an Aloe Extract," J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 81.9 (1991) : 473-8.

Schmidt, J.M., and Greenspoon, J.S., "Aloe vera Dermal Wound Gel Is Associated with a Delay in Wound Healing," Obstet Gynecol 78.1 (1991) : 115-7.

Syed, T.A., et al., "Management of Psoriasis with Aloe vera Extract in a Hydrophilic Cream: A Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study," Trop Med Int Health 1.4 (1996) : 505-9.

Visuthikosol, V., et al., "Effect of Aloe vera Gel to Healing of Burn Wound a Clinical and Histologic Study," J Med Assoc Thai 78.8 (1995) : 403-9.

Reynolds, T., and Dweck, A.C., "Aloe vera Leaf Gel: A Review Update," J Ethnopharmacol 68.1-3 (1999) : 3-37.

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