According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, aloe vera was used 6,000 years ago in Egypt, where it was called "the plant of immortality." Known as burn plant, aloe, elephant's gall and lily of the desert, the gel of the aloe vera plant is used as an extract for a wide variety of remedies throughout the world.
Medicinal Uses
According to the National Institutes of Health, there is good scientific evidence that fresh aloe vera gel taken orally is beneficial as a laxative, although further studies are under way. There is some weak evidence that aloe vera gel has some effect when used on canker sores, radiation dermatitis, diabetes or for colitis, but further studies must be completed to verify this information.
Topical Uses
Likewise, according to the National Institutes of Health, early studies show that aloe may be effective in treating herpes, psoriasis vulgaris and seborrheic dermatitis. Aloe vera gel has been used for centuries to treat mild to moderate burns, cuts and scrapes and can be bought over the counter as a topical gel for this purpose. Aloe vera gel is a popular ingredient in cosmetics, shampoos and lotions, and it is believed to be beneficial to the skin and hair.
Traditional Uses
Traditions and folklore suggest aloe vera gel is beneficial in treating arthritis, bacterial skin infections, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, bowel disorders, high cholesterol, kidney stones, parasitic worm infections, Alzheimer's disease, leukemia and a myriad number of other conditions and diseases. None of these have yet been substantiated by scientific studies.
Warnings
According to the American Cancer Society, there is no proof that aloe vera gel is effective in the treatment of cancer. The makers of a cancer drug promoting aloe as its main ingredient have been indicted by the U.S. attorney and the FDA for making false claims and misleading cancer patients as to the benefits of their aloe vera drug. Likewise, there is no evidence that aloe gel is effective in the treatment of mouth sores that are associated with radiation treatment, HIV or pressure ulcers. Aloe injections are not legal in the United States.
Member Comments