Aloe vera, a succulent that has long been used to treat medical conditions ranging from burns to constipation, is available in capsule, cream, gel, juice and dried (called latex) form. One of the most commonly used herbs in the United States, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), aloe vera can also be found as an additive to sunblock lotions and other skin care products. Known to some as a "wonder plant," aloe vera is clinically studied for its health benefits.
Benefits for Minor Skin Irritations
Although not to be used on open wounds, aloe vera's healing properties may be beneficial for sunburns, cuts and burns. Aloe gel obtained from the middle part of aloe leaves contains glycoproteins, compounds which UMMC explains can speed the healing process by decreasing inflammation and pain. Aloe also contains polysaccharides, which stimulate new skin growth and repair. Despite aloe vera's notoriety for relief and treatment of minor skin conditions, UMMC notes that the scientific evidence is conflicting. Some research has found that aloe vera speeds up skin's healing process, while other studies report that aloe actually slows the healing process.
Other Skin Conditions
Studies have shown aloe vera as a beneficial treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, genital herpes and psoriasis. A clinical review published in a 2005 edition of "Herpes" reported that a preparation made from aloe inactivated propagation of HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus-2) in vitro. An additional study in this review found that when aloe extract (0.5 percent) was compounded into a cream, male patients observed shorter healing times than with a topical placebo. Moreover, UMMC states that aloe vera's anti-inflammatory properties surpassed 1 percent hydrocortisone cream and a placebo gel in one study and may prove beneficial for other inflammatory skin conditions.
Gastro-Intestinal Benefits
Aloe vera has been traditionally used to relieve constipation. The aloe latex, or the dried part of the inner lining of the aloe leaf, is comprised of potent laxative components. Although once regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) reports that all OTC aloe laxative products have been removed or reformulated in the United States since 2002 due to safety issues. More gentle aloe laxative products are now available and aloe's anti-inflammatory components still prove helpful in pain and inflammation reduction in the gastro-intestinal tract. In fact, editors of "The Sensitive Gut: A Harvard Medical School Book" recommend aloe for dyspepsia and other forms of indigestion.
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