Chemical components of aloe vera may reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate skin repair, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Aloe vera gel is commonly used topically to soothe skin irritation, and many skin care products contain aloe. Aloe gel may have beneficial uses when taken orally as well. Consult a qualified health care provider before using aloe for anti-inflammatory purposes.
Sunburn
A study published in a 2008 issue of "Skin Pharmacology and Physiology" investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of a highly concentrated aloe vera gel on skin redness, or erythema, caused by ultraviolet light. Volunteers were subjected to ultraviolet light irradiation on skin test areas and then treated for two days with aloe vera gel or other substances. Aloe vera gel was more effective than a 1 percent hydrocortisone gel in reducing the erythema, but less effective than a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone cream is a standard treatment for sunburn, recommended by health institutions such as the University of Rochester Medical Center. The medical center also recommends aloe gel for sunburn.
Burns
Studies on using aloe vera gel for treating burns have found conflicting results, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Researchers conducting a review of the literature found that individuals treated with aloe healed nearly nine days earlier on average than those not treated with this substance, reports the medical center. Some research has not found benefits for using aloe for burns, however.
Psoriasis
MedlinePlus, a website provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, rates aloe as "possibly effective" for treating psoriasis, an inflammatory autoimmune skin condition. Using a 0.5 percent aloe cream for four weeks appears to decrease psoriasis skin plaques, which are raised areas that are typically red and covered with scaly patches.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, consume aloe vera gel as therapy for this condition, according to an article published in the March 1, 2004 issue of "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics." Researchers in this laboratory study determined that the anti-inflammatory activity of aloe vera gel supports its use for IBD. An animal study published in the March 14, 2011 issue of "Life Sciences" found that chemical components of aloe had anti-inflammatory effects in rats with ulcerative colitis. The compound aloesin had the most potent anti-inflammatory effect.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Aloe
- MedlinePlus: Aloe
- University of Rochester Medical Center: Facts About Sunburn
- "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aloe Vera Gel in Human Colorectal Mucosa in Vitro; L. Langmead, et al.; March 1, 2004
- "Life Sciences"; Dietary Aloin, Aloesin, Or Aloe-Gel Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Activity In A Rat Colitis Model; M.Y. Park, et al.; March 14, 2011
- "Skin Pharmacology and Physiology"; Investigation Of The Anti-Inflammatory Potential Of Aloe Vera Gel (97.5%) In The Ultraviolet Erythema Test; J. Reuter, et al.; 2008
