Aloe is a family of tropical plants consisting of more than 400 different species. Aloe grows in warm, dry climates all over the world and has been used for thousands of years as a drink, tonic and topical treatment. Shaman and healers in remote villages throughout the world still use aloe in its various forms to treat a variety of diseases.
Burns
Aloe vera has long been recommended and sold over-the-counter for sunburns. It helps to decrease the pain of sunburn and helps the skin heal faster. A study published June 28, 2008 in Surgery Today, showed that aloe can be used to treat second-degree burns)from fire or chemicals. The study compared the efficacy of aloe vera cream to silver sulfadiazine used topically to help heal the skin. The skin that was treated with aloe vera on average healed three days faster than the skin treated with silver sulfadiazine. Aloe could be a lower-cost and more effective option for treating second-degree burns.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects how well the body can use glucose as an energy source for the body. Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, is responsible for pulling glucose into our cells for energy. Without insulin, glucose will remain unused in the bloodstream. Sometimes our body does not produce enough insulin, or, in the case of type 2 diabetes, the body's cells stop responding to insulin. The body becomes insulin-resistant, much like a key being worn down to the point where it no longer opens the lock to a door. A study published in Phytomedicine in March of 2009 looked at the effects of taking aloe vera gel daily over the course of eight weeks in overweight, diabetic mice. At the end of the eight-week period, the diabetic mice had a reduction in blood sugar levels as well as an increased response to insulin. The ingestion of aloe seemed to decrease the cells' resistance to insulin, thus allowing for better glucose transfer. While the study was done in mice, it is promising for humans.
Cancer
Multiple studies have looked at the anti-cancer properties of aloe. Most recent studies have tested cancers that affect mucosa linings such as the mouth and the nose. Anticancer Research published an article in November 2009 that examined a main component in aloe vera, aloe-emodin, and its effects on squamous cell cancer of the tongue. When the cancer cells were treated with aloe-emodin, the cells' mitochondria (energy producers) started to fall apart, thus causing cell death. More research will need to be done to determine if this can be a novel and low-cost approach to cancer treatment.
References
- Surgery Today; Aloe vs. Silver sulfadiazine creams for second-degree burns: A randomized control study.; Khorasani G, et. al.; June 28, 2009
- Phytomedicine; Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of processed aloe vera gel in a mouse model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.; Kim K, et. al.; March 19, 2009
- Anticancer Research; Aloe-emodin induces cell death through S-phase arrest and caspase-dependent pathways in human tongue squamous cancer SCC-4 cells.; Chiu, TH, et. al.; Nov. 29, 2009
