Aloe Vera L. Extract
Scientific Names: Aloe vera L.
Forms: Dried leaf latex; dry extract of aloe latex; leaf acemannan hydrogel; aloe gel.
Traditional Usage:
- Anal fissures (latex) - Antibacterial (gel) - Anti-diarrheal (latex) - Antifungal (gel) - Antinflammatory (gel and latex) - Antimicrobial (gel and latex) - Antiretroviral (gel) - Antiviral (gel) - Burns (gel) - Cankers (acemannan hydrogel) - Cellular Regeneration (gel and latex) - Cleansing (gel and latex) - Constipation (latex) - Detoxifying (gel and latex) - Hemorrhoids (latex) - HIV (acemannan hydrogel) - Hyperglycemia (gel) - Laxative (latex) - Pre and Post Operative Cleansing (latex) - Psoriasis (gel) - Skin Wounds and Sores (gel) - Ulcers (gel)
Overview:
The leaf gel of aloe, Aloe ferox MILLER and Aloe barbadensis MILLER (otherwise known as Aloe vera) [Fam. Aloaceae], has been used to soothe burns and heal wounds since ancient times, dating back at least 4000 years. In the New Testament (John 19:39) reference is made to an ointment made of myrrh and aloe to embalm the body of Jesus. Aloe was a secret beauty aid of Egyptian queens including Cleopatra and Nefertiti and was considered a "plant of immortality" in ancient Egypt. Soothing Aloe vera gel comes from the central part of the leaves while bitter laxative latex comes from cells closer to the leaf rind. In addition, a polysaccharide called acemannan from aloe leaf rind has been found to impair the ability of viruses, including retroviruses like HIV, to infect healthy T-cells. Traditional uses of aloe include for treating hives, insect stings and bites, rashes, sunburn, swelling and skin wrinkles. In a clinical trial to test the effect of Aloe vera gel and mild soap versus mild soap alone in preventing skin reactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy, a protective effect of adding aloe to the soap regimen was observed.
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