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Traditional uses:
Master militarist that he was, Alexander the Great knew the value of wound-healing herbs: he once had his troops seize an island for its abundance of aloe plants. This traditional use for aloe, a cactus-like member (Aloe vera and other species) of the lily family, is still responsible for much of the plant's modern reputation. The transparent gel from aloe's inner leaf is a traditional topical remedy for minor burns and sunburn, skin irritations and rashes, poison ivy, vaginal dryness, athlete's foot and ringworm, and insect bites.

Modern perspective:

• Wounds. In animal experiments, Aloe vera gel promotes healing of superficial wounds, burns, frostbite, electrical injury, etc., and arterial damage.
• Digestive/laxative. Herbal companies also process the gel or the whole leaf into juice and capsule products taken internally as a tonic or for alleged gastrointestinal benefits. Another part of the plant, the bitter latex, is a potent laxative. Certain sugar derivatives in the latex produce laxative effects.
• Moisturizing/antimicrobial. The gel contains enzymes, nutrients, and other compounds that may be responsible for its ability to moisturize the skin, counter bacteria and fungi, reduce inflammation, and encourage wound healing (e.g., glycoproteins, polysaccharides, fatty acids (GLA), prostaglandins, lecithinlectins, carboxypeptidase, salicylates, steroids, saponins, glutathione peroxidase, organic acids, and amino acids).
• Immunity. Aloe products containing forms of mannana and glucomannans (e.g., acemannan), compounds found in the gel, have shown clinical promise for their ability to stimulate the immune system in cases of HIV and AIDS, and improve the healing time of mouth ulcers. Acemannan (ACM) acts as an anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral agent. In clinical trials against HIV, ACM produced significant increases in circulating monocytes and macrophages, significant improvements MWR scoring, absolute T-4 and T-8 counts, and p24 antigen, and possible expansion of cytotoxic CD8 lymphocyte populations. When combined in vitro with suboptimal doses of AZT or acyclovir, ACM helps to inhibit replication of HIV and herpes simplex type 1. Unidentified compounds inhibit release of free oxygen radicals by immune cells (PMNs), and a supernatant from fresh A. vera leaf has produced benefit in bronchial asthma. Novel lectins from Aloe vera promote hemagglutination and lymphocyte mitogenesis in vivo, and display anti-arthritic effects. Lectins (Aloctin A) and carboxypeptidase display anti-inflammatory effects, in vitro. Injectable ACM has been approved for veterinary use in sarcomas, fibrosarcomas, and feline leukemia.

Types of products: For topical use, aloe is sold in gels (look for products containing 95 to 100 percent pure aloe), ointments, and sprays; the gel is also a common ingredient in first-aid skin creams, shampoos, and natural and conventional body care products. Aloe for internal use comes in liquids, tablets, and capsules; check product labels for dosage recommendations.

Safety: Latex products taken internally can cause side effects common to the stimulant laxatives, such as intestinal cramps; also avoid aloe-derived laxatives during pregnancy. Gel preparations used topically have not been associated with side effects. Aloe juice products for oral consumption are generally considered safe, although consuming more than a pint per day may lead to diarrhea. In a recent incident of irresponsible use, Aloe vera preparations injected directly into cancer patients' stomachs were associated with several fatalities.

References

• Fulton, J.E., "The stimulation of postdermabrasion wound healing with stabilized aloe vera gel-polyethylene oxide dressing," J Dermatol Surg Oncol (1990), 16(5):460-7
• Lee, C.K., et al., "Prevention of ultraviolet radiation-induced suppression of accessory cell function of Langerhans cells by Aloe vera gel components," Immunopharmacology (1997), 37(2-3):153-62.
• Miller, M.B., and Koltai, P.J., "Treatment of experimental frostbite with pentoxifylline and aloe vera cream," Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg (1995), 121(6):678-80.
• Plemons, J.M., et al., "Evaluation of acemannan in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis," Wounds (1994), 6,2:40-45.
• Syed, T.A., et al., "Management of psoriasis with Aloe vera extract in a hydrophilic cream: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study," Trop Med Int Health (1996), 1(4):505-9.
• Visuthikosol, V., et al., "Effect of aloe vera gel to healing of burn wound a clinical and histologic study," J Med Assoc Thai (1995), 78(8):403-9.

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