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Part used and where grown: The aloe
plant originally came from Africa. The leaves, which are long,
green, fleshy, and have spikes along the edges, are used medicinally.
The fresh leaf gel and latex are used for many purposes. Aloe
latex is the sticky residue left over after the liquid from
cut aloe leaves has evaporated.
Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported
by scientific studies): Aloe has been historically used for
many of the same conditions for which it is used today—particularly
minor cuts and burns.
Topically, it is not yet clear which constituents are responsible
for the wound healing properties of aloe.1 Test tube studies
suggest polysaccharides, such as acemannon, help promote skin
healing by anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-stimulating
actions. Aloe’s effects on the skin may also be enhanced
by its high concentration of amino acids, as well as vitamin
E, vitamin C, zinc, and essential fatty acids.
Aloe has been used to treat minor burns. Stabilized aloe
gel is applied to the affected area of skin three to five
times per day. Older case studies reported that aloe gel applied
topically could help heal radiation burns, and a small clinical
trial found it more effective than a topical petroleum jelly
in treating burns.
For minor burns, the stabilized aloe gel is applied topically
to the affected area of skin three to five times per day.
Treatment of more serious burns should only be done under
the supervision of a healthcare professional
Are there any side effects or interactions? Except in the
rare person who is allergic to aloe, topical application of
the gel is generally safe. For any burn that blisters significantly
or is otherwise severe, medical attention is absolutely essential.
In some severe burns and wounds, aloe gel may actually impede
healing.
Systematic review
Vogler BK, Ernst E. Aloe vera: a systematic review of its
clinical effectiveness. British Journal of General Practice
1999;49:823-828.
Date review completed: May 1998
Number of patients: 17
Control groups: none, standard treatment or placebo.
Inclusion criteria were clinical trial of aloe vera (for
any indication).
Medline, Embase, Biosis and the Cochrane Library were searched
(to May 1998) for published reports. Bibliographies of retrieved
reports were checked for additional citations and no language
restrictions were made. Manufacturers of aloe vera products
and experts were contacted for published and unpublished trials.
Data were extracted in a standardised, predefined manner by
the two reviewers. Methodological quality was rated using
a validated 5-point scale. A descriptive analysis was conducted.
Findings
Wound healing
One nonrandomised, unblinded study assessed wound healing
with polyethylene oxide wound gel or polyethylene oxide wound
gel saturated with aloe vera in 17 patients with acne vulgaris.
Half-face treatments were carried out so that each patient
received both treatments. By day 5, 90% of wounds were healed
(complete re-epithelialisation) with aloe vera compared with
40-50% without aloe vera. Wound healing was 72 hours faster
with aloe vera.
Adverse effects
Tolerability was good and all reported adverse effects were
reversible. No patients withdrew from the trials because of
adverse effects associated with aloe vera.
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