Aloe Vera
(Aloe barbadensis, Aloe capensis)

General Info

Active Forms

Absorption

Dietary Sources

Dosage Info

Dosage Range
Leaf gel: Apply topically as needed to affected areas. Aloe vera gel may be taken internally at doses of 1-3 tablespoons, up to 3 times daily; recommended to use aloin and aloe-emodin free products if using internally.

Latex: 20-30mg hydroxyantracene derivatives daily.

Most Common Dosage
Leaf gel: Apply topically as needed to affected areas. Internally: 2 tablespoons, 3 times a day; recommended to use aloin and aloe-emodin free products if using internally.

Latex: 20mg hydroxyanthracene derivatives daily.

Dosage Forms

Adult RDI

Adult ODA

Overview

Interactions

Drug/Herb Interactions
•	Oral medications
•	Diabetic / Hypoglycemic medications

Aloe, a genus with over 150 species, is mostly native to East and South Africa. Aloe is a succulent plant that has been used medicinally for centuries. Records of its use date back to 1750 BC. The plant has a variety of uses, including topical application for wounds, burns and rashes. Aloe can also be used internally as a laxative and cathartic. The mucilaginous gel from the aloe leaf is an effective wound healing agent and is now found in many commercial skin-care products, shampoos, and conditioners.(1) The bitter, yellow latex from the plant contains hydroxyanthracene derivatives, which act as bowel stimulants and are used commercially as laxatives.

Toxicities & Precautions

General
Aloe is reported safe in recommended dosages. But, based on pharmacology, long term use or higher than recommended dosages may cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances.(2)

As aloe is a laxative, products should not be taken long-term unless aloin and aloe-emodin free products are used.

If used in wound healing and wound has not improved in five to seven days, seek further medical attention.

Side Effects
Discontinue topical use if rash or irritation develops.(3)

Pregnancy/Breast-Feeding
Do not use in pregnancy and lactation. (4)

Age Limitations
Do not use in children under 2 years of age unless recommended by a physician.

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Footnotes

¹ Salcido R. Complementary and alternative medicine in wound healing. Adv Wound Care. Nov1999;12(9):438
² Ishii Y, et al. Studies of aloe. III. Mechanism of cathartic effect. (2). Chem Pharm Bull. Tokyo. Jan1990;38(1):197-200.
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³ Ernst E. Adverse effects of herbal drugs in dermatology. Br J Dermatol. Nov2000;143(5):923-9.
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⁴ Telefo PB, et al. Effects of an aqueous extract of Aloe buettneri, Justicia insularis, Hibiscus macranthus, Dicliptera verticillata on some physiological and biochemical parameters of reproduction in immature female rats. J Ethnopharmacol. Dec1998;63(3):193-200.
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Aloe Vera(Aloe barbadensis, Aloe capensis)

Aloe Vera
(Aloe barbadensis, Aloe capensis)