ALOES (Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.) (Inner leaf or Dried Leaf Juice)

ALOES (Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.) (Inner leaf or Dried Leaf Juice) +

Synonyms — A. barbadensis Mill., A. perfoliata var. vera L., A. vulgaris Lam.
Activities (Aloes) — Antiallergic (f; PED); Anticancer (1; CAN; PNC); Bitter (f; PED); Cell-
Proliferant (f; PED); Demulcent (f; PED); Emmenagogue (f; CRC; PNC); Gastrotonic (f; AAB);
Hepatotonic (f; AAB); Hypoglycemic (1; CAN); Laxative (2; AAB; CRC; KOM; PNC; SHT;
WHO); Nephrotonic (f; AAB); Pancreatonic (f; AAB); Stomachic (f; CRC); Sunscreen (f; PNC);
Vermifuge (1; MPI; PHR).
Indications (Aloes; inner leaf only, powdered) — Abrasion (f; CRC); Allergy (f; PED); Amenorrhea
(f; CAN; PHR); Atherosclerosis (f; PHR); Cancer (1; CAN; FNF; PNC); Colic (f; PHR);
Constipation (2; KOM; SHT; WOI); Dermatosis (f; CRC; PHR; WHO); Diabetes (1; CAN; PHR);
Dysmenorrhea (f; CAN; PHR); Fungus (1; FNF; JAD); Gastrosis (f; PHR; WOI); Hepatosis (f;
APA); Hyperglycemia (1; CAN; WHO); Infection (f; PHR); Mycosis (1; APA; WHO); Seborrhea
(f; WHO); Tuberculosis (f; WHO); Tumor (1; FNF; PHR); Ulcer (f; PED; WHO); Worm (1; FNF;
JAD; MPI; PHR).
Indications (Aloes) — Amenorrhea (f; CAN; PHR); Atherosclerosis (f; PHR); Colic (f; PHR);
Constipation (2; KOM; SHT; WOI); Dermatosis (f; PHR; WHO); Diabetes (f; PHR); Dysmenorrhea
(f; CAN; PHR); Gastrosis (f; PHR; WOI); Hepatosis (f; APA); Hyperglycemia (f; WHO); Infection
(f; PHR); Mycosis (1; APA; WHO); Seborrhea (f; WHO); Tuberculosis (f; WHO); Tumor (f; PHR);
Ulcer (f; WHO); Worm (f; PHR).
Dosages (Aloes) — 50–300 mg at bedtime (AHP); 50–200 mg dried juice or equivalent per day
(KOM); 50–200 mg dried juice or equivalent 3 ×/day (CAN); 1 (250 mg) capsule at bedtime
(NH); 100–300 mg (PNC); 1 tsp juice after meals (SF). As a laxative for adults and children
over 10 years old, 0.04–0.11 g of the dry juice of Barbados or Curaçao aloe or 0.06–0.17 g Cape
aloe corresponding to 10–30 mg hydroxyanthraquinones/day (or 0.1 g juice as single dose in the
p.m.) (WHO).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Aloes) — Dermatosis, diarrhea, intestinal
cramps, ulcers. Also contraindicated in hemorrhoids, ileus, and nephropathy (BIS; CAN;
KOM), intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown causes, any enteritis (appendicitis,
colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome), and menstruation (AHP). Commission E
reports contraindications, adverse effects, and interactions of anthranoid laxatives (AEH).
Naturopaths Yarnell and Meserole (1996) state that people allergic to aloe may develop a
severe rash following its application. Anthraquinones may be purgative, and GI tract irritant
(CAN). Because of its laxative and reputed abortifacient actions, its use in pregnancy and
lactation is to be avoided. “Anthraquinones may be secreted into breast milk” (AHP). Do not
use more than 8–10 days (AHP). “Do not use in cases of abdominal pain or diarrhea. Discontinue
use if diarrhea or watery stools occur. Consult a health care provider prior to use in
pregnancy or nursing. Not for long-term use or overdosage (AHP). Speaking of Aloe spicata,
“Because of its drastic laxative action it is not commonly employed in the United States

Research on the long-term toxicity and pharmacokinetics of aloe is still incomplete” (AHP).
Risks are not conclusive based on the available information (SHT).
Clinical (Aloes) — A nondialysable fraction (with mixed polysaccharides) enhances phagocytosis
in adult bronchial asthma (perhaps due to endogenous cyclooxygenase synthesizing prostaglandins
especially PGE-2, with some TXB-2, PGD-2, PGF-2, and 6 keto-PGF-1b). PGE-2 has been
associated with the beneficial effect on asthma.

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