The genus Aloe belongs to family
Xanthorrhoeaceae and comprises over 500 different species. Aloe
barbadensis also called Aloe vera is the most
well-known and widely used species of genus Aloe. Aloe contains a
plethora of pharmacologically active ingredients such as aloins, barbaloins,
antiseptic agents like lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid,
phenols and sulphur associated with diverse biological activities. It contains
at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids, cholesterol, campesterol and
β-sitosterol. These are highly effective in treatment of burns, cuts, scrapes,
abrasions, allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, acid
indigestion, ulcers, plus many inflammatory conditions of the digestive system
and other internal organs, including the stomach, small intestine, colon,
liver, kidney and pancreas. β-sitosterol is also a powerful anti-cholesterol
which helps to lower harmful cholesterol levels, helping to explain its many
benefits for heart patients. Polypeptides present in Aloe juice helps to
control a broad spectrum of immune system diseases and disorders.
It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation.
Its antiseptic and antibiotic properties make it highly valuable in treating
cuts and abrasions. It can also be used as a hair styling gel, for making
makeup, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, shampoos and lotions. It is useful for
dry skin conditions, especially eczema around the eyes and sensitive facial
skin. Its juice may help some people with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory
bowel disease. Pharmacologically it is an immunity booster and detoxifies the
system. Due to these beneficial effects, Aloe vera production
has been an emerging industry for making laxative drugs, cosmetics, and
functional food.
Health benefits
- Drinking Aloe
vera juice naturally allows the body to cleanse the digestive system. It
encourages the bowels to move and helps with elimination if a person is
constipated.
- Aloe vera juice ensures a
greater feeling of well-being, allowing energy levels to increase and also
helps maintain a healthy body weight.
- It is especially great for
those people who have chronic immune disorders like polysaccharides or
fibromyalgia since the polysaccharides in Aloe vera juice stimulate
macrophages, the white blood cells that fight viruses.
- With our stressful lives, the
pollution around us and the junk foods we eat, we all need to cleanse our
systems from time to time. Drinking Aloe vera juice provides a
fantastically rich cocktail of vitamins, minerals and trace elements to
help our bodies deal with these stresses and strains every day.
- It improves joint flexibility
and helps in the regeneration of body cells. It strengthens joint muscles,
which therefore reduces pain and inflammation in weakened or aged joints.
Although Aloe vera has long been considered as
a safe functional food material that can be used orally and topically, on many
occasions it has not been as safe as commonly thought.
Side Effects
- Topical: It may
cause redness, burning, stinging sensation and rarely generalized dermatitis
in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions are mostly due to
anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin. It is best to apply it to a
small area first to test for possible allergic reaction.
- Oral: Abdominal cramps,
diarrhea, red urine, hepatitis, dependency or worsening of constipation.
Prolonged use has been reported to increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Laxative effect may cause electrolyte imbalances.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Oral aloe is not recommended during pregnancy due to theoretical
stimulation of uterine contractions, and in breastfeeding mothers, it may
sometime causes gastrointestinal distress in the nursing infant.
- Interactions:
Application of aloe to skin may increase the absorption of steroid creams
such as hydrocortisone. It reduces the effectiveness and may increases the
adverse effects of digoxin and digitoxin, due to its potassium lowering
effect. Combined use of Aloe vera and furosemide may increase the risk of
potassium depletion.
- It decreases the blood sugar
levels and thus may interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin.
- Renal or Cardiac Disease:
Prolonged use of Aloe Vera latex has been associated with watery diarrhea
resulting in electrolyte imbalance and anecdotal reports suggest that the
increasing loss of potassium may lead to hypokalemia. Therefore, the Aloe
Vera latex is contraindicated in patients with a history of renal or
cardiac disorders.
- Liver dysfunction after
ingestion of Cape Aloes is also reported by researchers, hepatotoxicity is
considered one of the most reported adverse effects caused by herbal
dietary supplements.
The International Aloe Science Council standard suggests that
the maximum allowable aloin content in Aloe-derived material for oral
consumption is less than 10 ppm (parts per million); for nonmedical use the
recommended limit is 50 ppm or lower.
Source
Mangaiyarkarasi SP, Manigandan T, Elumalai M,
Cholan PK, Kaur RP. Benefits of Aloe vera in dentistry. J Pharm Bioallied Sci.
2015 Apr;7(Suppl 1):S255-9. doi: 10.4103/0975-7406.155943. PMID: 26015726;
PMCID: PMC4439686.
R. Rajeswari, M. Umadevi, C. Sharmila Rahale, R.Pushpa, S.
Selvavenkadesh, K. P. Sampath Kumar, Debjit Bhowmik. Aloe Vera: The
Miracle Plant Its Medicinal and Traditional Uses in India. J Pharmacogn
Phytochem 2012;1(4):118-124.