What are the effects of aloe vera and other types of aloe?
Two types of aloe in particular are used medicinally – aloe vera (or aloe barbadensis, true aloe) and aloe ferox (Cape aloe):
The bitter-tasting dry extract of the outer leaf layers of both types of aloe is used to treat constipation. This effect is recognized in medicine.
The non-bitter-tasting plant juice of Aloe vera and A. ferox (and the gel produced from it) is said to support wound healing when applied externally. So far, there are not enough high-quality studies to prove this effect.
There are indications that products made from aloe vera and A. ferox could alleviate the symptoms of certain skin diseases such as psoriasis when applied externally.
Aloe vera is also often advertised as a “miracle cure” for the treatment of a variety of ailments and diseases, including cancer (this often applies to the species Aloe arborescens). However, there is no medical proof of this.
Aloe extract from the outer leaf layers
The outer leaf layers of Aloe vera and A. ferox provide the medicinally recognized dry extract (Extractum aloes), which contains so-called anthranoids (including aloin) as active ingredients. The dry extract obtained from Aloe vera is called “Curaçao aloe”, that of A. ferox “Cape aloe” (or bitter aloe).
Aloe juice or gel from the inside of the leaf
The traditionally used juice and gel (= the thickened juice) come from the non-bitter, mucilaginous tissue inside the aloe leaf. Both are offered by the food industry as food supplements. The cosmetics industry also recommends aloe vera for pimples and other skin blemishes, for example in the form of aloe vera cream. Aloe vera shampoo is also available. It is said to help with itchy, dry scalps.
The effectiveness of the gels for inflammatory skin conditions, wounds, burns, sunburn, frostbite, acne and insect bites has not yet been sufficiently scientifically proven, but is plausible. The polysaccharides, glycoproteins, amino acids, minerals and salicylic acid they contain appear to accelerate wound healing. For this reason, retailers offer appropriate products such as aloe vera spray. However, further scientific studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of the plant in the areas of application mentioned.
The juice for drinking is usually offered as a dietary supplement. It has a mild laxative effect and should therefore not be drunk over a longer period of time.
How is aloe vera used?
The juice from the freshly cut leaves of the plant (also from Aloe capensis) can help with the initial treatment of cuts, 1st degree burns and sunburn. Cut open the leaves and drizzle the juice directly onto the affected area. Alternatively, ointments based on the medicinal plant from the pharmacy can help.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What side effects can aloe vera cause?
There are reports of cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints with the internal use of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox products. In this case, please reduce the dose. A slight red coloration of the urine during treatment with aloe is harmless.
Due to their laxative effect, Aloe vera and A. ferox could impair the absorption and thus the effectiveness of medications that are also taken orally.
Diabetics who are taking blood sugar-lowering medication should be careful: preparations made from aloe vera and A. ferox taken orally can also lower blood sugar levels.
The external application of aloe vera and A. ferox appears to be harmless.
What you should bear in mind when using aloe vera
Aloe preparations for internal use should not be taken for longer than two weeks – otherwise there is a risk that the intestinal mucosa will be overstimulated and the intestinal sluggishness will reappear or worsen.
The additional intake of heart-active medication can dangerously increase the loss of mineral salts. Therefore, discuss the combined use with your doctor in advance.
Aloe preparations should not be taken with certain illnesses. These include
- Intestinal obstruction
- appendicitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Abdominal pain of unknown cause
- severe symptoms of dehydration
To be on the safe side, aloe preparations should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is also not recommended for children under the age of 12.
If the medicinal plant is offered as a dietary supplement or in cosmetic products, the Medicines and Foods Act states that no disease-related statements may be made on the label.
How to obtain aloe vera and its products
Food supplements and cosmetic products containing aloe (such as aloe vera face cream or aloe vera oil for skin care) are available in drugstores and health food shops.
Interesting facts about aloe vera and other types of aloe
Aloe is a genus of the affodil family (Asphodelaceae), of which there are almost 450 wild species in Africa, India and the Mediterranean region. Well-known species are Aloe vera and Aloe ferox, both of which are used to make medicinal preparations.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is an ancient cultivated plant that probably originated in North Africa or the Arabian Peninsula. Today it is cultivated in many tropical-subtropical regions. The plant, which is around 40 to 50 centimetres tall, forms one or more rosettes of fleshy, non-spined leaves. From May to June, upright inflorescences up to 90 centimetres high with yellow flowers rise from these.
The botanically correct name of Aloe vera is actually Aloe barbadensis MILLER. Manufacturers often offer preparations containing A. barbadensis MILLER under the name “aloe vera” (e.g. as aloe vera gel) in order to circumvent pharmaceutical legislation, which only recognizes A. barbadensis for the treatment of constipation. The declaration of other effects is therefore prohibited.
