The aloe vera plant is indigenous to tropical and subtropical areas, such as Central and South America, the Caribbean and southern Africa. Its worldwide use as an herbal remedy dates back millennia. Evidence for the health benefits of aloe vera is sometimes contradictory, and much of it is based on animal and test tube studies. Always consult your doctor before supplementing or treating a condition with an herbal treatment like aloe vera.
Skin Healing
Topical application of gel from the aloe vera plant may help heal burns, sunburns and various types of skin abrasions. This is one of only two uses for aloe supported by adequate scientific evidence in the eyes of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Among other mechanisms of action, aloe vera gel is believed to inhibit the formation of the lipid thromboxane, which interferes with the skin's healing process, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Compounds in aloe vera gel may also help soothe superficial pain and heal skin damage related to inflammation, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. In this respect, aloe offers potential benefits to people with inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and eczema, and to those with genital herpes and ultraviolet-induced erythema. It may also treat lichen planus, an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the mouth, adds MayoClinic.com.
In addition, it is possible that aloe vera gel helps treat canker sore pain and inhibit recurrence, helps mend skin ulcers and moisturizes dry skin, according to MayoClinic.com.
Laxative Effect
The juice and latex derived from the inner lining of aloe vera plant leaves have a laxative effect, the second use for aloe adequately supported by scientific evidence, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. While aloe was long used to treat constipation, this use has fallen out of favor in recent years because of fairly common, severe side effects, such as painful cramping, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Cascara and senna, two plants in the aloe family, are recommended as gentler herbal laxatives.
Other Possible Benefits
In patients with Type 2 diabetes, consumption of aloe vera may lower blood sugar levels, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.
The anti-cancer properties of the aloe vera plant are currently being studied. Specifically, MayoClinic.com says aloe may help prevent lung cancer. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that aloe may help treat liver cancer and that it may offer benefits to people whose cancer is spreading when used in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Aloe vera is believed to have antioxidant benefits to protect the body against damage caused by free radicals, notes Sloan-Kettering.
Aloe is sometimes taken orally by people with asthma, osteoarthritis and epilepsy, though these uses are based primarily on tradition, not scientific evidence, explains the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Member Comments