Dating back to ancient Egypt, the aloe vera plant has provided medical relief in two different ways. The gel of the leaves helps heal skin---it's used for everything from wound treatment to sunburn relief. The plant also produces latex in the lining of its leaves, and that's taken orally as a laxative. Science supports these traditional uses, according to the National Institutes of Health, but other uses haven't been proved yet---for instance, in asthma and diabetes treatment.
Burns and Wounds
You can use the transparent gel from aloe vera leaves on wounds, insect bites and burns, including sunburns. The aloe vera helps in the healing process and at the same time soothes pain or itching. Only apply the gel topically---ingesting it can upset your stomach and play havoc with your electrolytes. You can apply the gel directly from the plant by cutting into a leaf, or you can purchase an over-the-counter ointment that contains aloe vera. The percentage of aloe varies from one ointment to the next; for the greatest effect, buy the product with the highest percentage you can find.
Skin Conditions
Aloe gel is also effective in alleviating skin conditions such as eczema. This painfully itchy condition is associated with dry skin, and you can use aloe in several forms to provide moisture. Apply an aloe ointment or the gel from the plant to affected areas twice a day; regularly use moisturizing lotions that contain aloe; and buy soap and shampoo with aloe listed among their ingredients. Aloe gel may not eliminate a skin condition altogether, but rather it reduces inflammation and provides symptom relief.
Oral Laxative
A green substance surrounds the clear gel in the aloe vera leaf; when that substance is dried, it's called latex. Taken orally, aloe latex serves as a laxative. The Mayo Clinic reports the laxative properties are well-documented, but comparisons with other laxatives have yet to be established. Aloe latex is available in powdered and capsule form on websites and in stores that sell vitamins and supplements.
Other Uses
Even without established scientific evidence, aloe is used in various forms to treat everything from diabetes and epilepsy to asthma and osteoarthritis. However, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center recommends caution in uncharted territory because misuse of aloe vera has been connected to issues such as thyroid problems and hepatitis.
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