Aloe vera gel comes from the pulp of the fat leaves on the aloe vera plant. It's a transparent, thick fluid that has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes referred to simply as aloe, the gel continues to be an integral part of modern healing practices.
History
The history of the aloe vera plant traces back to ancient Egypt, when the plant was venerated in stone carvings and buried with the pharaohs. It was called the plant of immortality, report researchers at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Uses
Aloe typically is used to treat burns, skin infections and other skin wounds. Dried, the inner part of aloe vera leaves has been used as an oral laxative to treat constipation.
Properties
Anthroquinone glycosides are the ingredients in the aloe plant that work as a laxative and are supported by scientific evidence, report Mayo Clinic doctors. The immunomodulatory properties of aloe vera gel also have been proven to improve dermatological conditions, such as rashes, dry skin, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Reactions
The aloe vera plant is in the Liliaceae family, which includes garlic, tulips, lilies and onions. People with known allergies to these plants should avoid aloe. Allergic reactions include rash and hives.
Warning
While aloe vera gel has been found to increase healing of minor topical wounds and burns, it can reduce healing of surgical wounds. Aloe vera gel does not seem to produce any results when used to treat radiation burns, which are similar to chemical burns and common after cancer patients receive radiation therapy.
Availability
Aloe vera is widely available in hundreds of over-the-counter creams and sunscreen products. The gel also can be used directly from the plant's leaves and squeezed on the skin.
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