The leaves of the aloe plant contain a clear gel that can be used to treat some conditions and the leaves themselves can be crushed or chewed to extract the juice inside, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Although aloe has been used for many conditions, the science proving the effectiveness and safety of aloe has not been fully established in most conditions. Patients should discuss the use of aloe with a physician.
Treatment of Burns
The aloe plant can be used to assist in the healing of burns. According to the MayoClinic.com, some early studies demonstrate that aloe gel may help in the healing of mild to moderate burns. A 2009 study by G. Khorasani and colleagues published in the "Surgery Today" journal showed that aloe cream proved more effective at treating second-degree burns than the more-commonly used silver sulfadiazine cream. However, more standardized and larger studies looking at the effect and safety of aloe for burns are needed. Patients should not use aloe on serious burns without the advice of a physician.
Wound Healing
Studies focusing on the aloe plant's use for wound healing report positive and negative outcomes, according to the MayoClinic.com. One study by J. Fulton Jr. from a 1990 issue of the "Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology" showed that aloe vera accelerated the healing of a dermabrasion wound. However, another study from 1991 by J.M. Schmidt and J.S. Greenspoon published in "Obstetrics and Gynecology" demonstrated that aloe vera delayed the healing of surgical wounds. The evidence does not prove yet that aloe is beneficial in the treatment of wound healing.
Skin Conditions
Aloe may provide benefits in the treatment of certain skin conditions such as psoriasis and genital herpes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website. In a 2005 "The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology" study, E. Paulsen and colleagues found that an aloe cream can be an effective treatment for psoriasis. A study in the "Journal of Dermatological Treatment" by T.A. Syed and colleagues from 1997 found that aloe cream reduced the time needed for the healing of genital lesions. Both of these studies were small; larger studies are needed for confirmation of these results.
Laxative Properties
The dried portion of the aloe plant leaves can be used as a laxative to treat constipation. One study by H.S. Odes and colleagues in a 1991 issue of "Digestion" found that a preparation of aloe vera was effective in the treatment of constipation; however, there were other ingredients in the treatment so the researchers were not sure that the effect was from the aloe portion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, the aloe plant can cause painful and powerful cramping when taken by mouth; other laxatives from the same family of plants are often recommended first.
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