Aloe Vera: Uses, Benefits, Safety, and Dosage

Medical Uses And ethnopharmacological profile of Aloe Vera

Traditional Uses

In sub-Saharan Africa, there are reports of aloe being used as a purgative, stimulant, and tonic due to its exertion on the small intestines to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

The aloe vera gel has also been used as a treatment for skin conditions such as rashes, burns, and wounds to promote healing. In high doses, it was also used as an abortifacient, but in low doses, it was used to stimulate blood flow to the pelvic muscle and promote menses in women with menstrual problems (an emmenagogue).

Clinical studies and Uses

• Used as topical medication for acne, psoriasis, cold sores, dry skin, and rashes. Formulated as skin cosmetics in soap, body gels, and lotions. The topical gel hydroethanolic extract of 0.5% showed activity against psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis when applied thrice a day in 60 patients. This was via inhibition of thromboxane A2 and the moisturizing effect of aloesin and flavones.

• In vitro studies with cats and dogs via topical application elicited faster wound shrinkage, reduced healing time, and better scarring compared to silver sulfadiazine.
• In pre-diabetes: Inner leaf aqueous extract administered at 300 or 500 mg for 8 weeks reduced fasting blood glucose by 15%. Acemannan and phytosterols were identified to have insulin reduction effects via PPAR-γ activation.

• As a relief for constipation. Aloe contains anthraquinones that increase water content and stimulate peristalsis, thus promoting bowel emptying and relieving symptoms of constipation. This was proven with in vivo studies.
• In gastroesophageal reflux: In 90 patients with GERD, inner leaf syrup given as 10 ml over 4 weeks reduced symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation when compared with the drug ranitidine. Polysaccharides acted by buffering gastric acid.(Cheung 2015)
• As a vermifuge and repellent. Aloe has shown activity against Conchorca onchengi when ingested through polyphenol oxidative stress and improves tungiasis outcome when mixed with coconut-based oil repellent. M. Thieleke 2013
• As an antibacterial. When formulated in a mouthwash by reduction of dental plaque. It works just as well as chlorhexidine with the advantage of not staining teeth.
• Use as an anti-inflammatory agent. In ulcerative colitis, it has been proven to reduce associated pain and bloating. The study used 100 ml of aloe vera gel twice daily over 4 weeks.
• In irritable bowel syndrome: In 30 patients with IBS, inner leaf aqueous juice extract given twice daily as 30 ml over 4 weeks was able to improve only flatulence and pain. This was through reduction in prostaglandins and TNF alpha via glucomannan. (Hong 2018)

• The gel emulsion has also been reported to alleviate symptoms of peptic ulcers in a small rat model study. The extract containing allantoin has also been reported to reduce lesions associated with aphthous stomatitis.

• As a hepatoprotective. In rats, administration of aloe vera has been reported to combat ALT levels in chronic hepatitis and also protects the liver from chemical injury.

Safety and Dosing profile of Aloe Vera

Forms and dosing

Aloe can be used as:

A gel– cut and applied directly on the skin. Or gel extracted and heated to a concentrate.

Resin– the dried part that can be ingested and acts as a cathartic in small doses.

Powder– dried extract ground into powder and reconstituted as a supplement capsule (alongside other ingredients) or put in tea bags/muslin bags and used as infusions.

Tablets and capsules– powder compressed into standardized capsules

Cosmetics– soaps, lip balms, jellies, and lotions.

• 500 mg twice daily in metabolic syndrome for 8 weeks.
• Applied after every 6 hours for frostbite and generally thrice or twice daily for skin conditions such as psoriasis.
• Aloe gel/mouthwash to be used twice or thrice daily (spat out afterwards).
• 100 ml of aloe gel twice daily for inflammatory problems (over a duration of 4 weeks and monitored by a physician).
• Used directly, small powders (100 grams) are boiled and drained twice or thrice a week.

Aloe vera Side effects, Interactions and Contraindications

Not recommended in:

• Old people with bowel obstruction.
• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Children younger than 12 years.

Aloe vera side effects include:

• Diarrhea and vomiting.
• Skin allergies in some people.
• Interference with menstrual symptoms/cycle.
• Kidney toxicity in high doses

NB– Aloe vera is not recommended to be taken alongside antidiabetic and antiplatelet medication due to potential hypoglycemic effects.