Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera
This monograph compiles 5 pharmacological actions, 10 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 19 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from analgesic action
more plants for back pain →detailed sources →inferred from vulnerary action
more plants for bruising →detailed sources →inferred from emollient action
more plants for eczema →detailed sources →inferred from analgesic action
more plants for headache →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Topical use of aloe gel is generally safe for most people. Oral use of aloe latex as a laxative is potentially unsafe with prolonged use due to risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and potential kidney damage. Aloe latex contains anthraquinone glycosides which may cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. May interact with diabetes medications, diuretics, and laxatives. Oral aloe gel at typical doses appears safe short-term but long-term safety is unclear. Allergic reactions possible in sensitive individuals.
Duke (2002) reports clinical evidence (score 2/3) supporting aloe gel's use in psoriasis, constipation (in adults), and as a vulnerary. Gel preparations have been clinically validated for peptic ulcers (excluding stress-induced), radiation burns, and skin ulcers. Dose: 1 tablespoon gel three times daily or 50–200 mg dried juice equivalent per day as a laxative. An important safety distinction is made: the gel (inner leaf mucilage) is AHPA Class 1 (safe), while the inner leaf juice or dried latex is Class 2b due to anthraquinone content and is contraindicated in intestinal inflammation, colitis, Crohn's disease, appendicitis, and during menstruation (Duke, 2002).
References
REF-2234, REF-2235, REF-2236, REF-2237, REF-2238, REF-2239, REF-2240, REF-2241, REF-2242, REF-2243, REF-2244References & Sources
- Sanchez, M., Gonzalez-Burgos, E., Iglesias, I. and Gomez-Serranillos, M.P (2020) 'Pharmacological update properties of Aloe vera and its major active constituents', Molecules, 25(6), pp. 1324. doi:10.3390/molecules25061324 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25061324 - Kaur, S. and Bains, K (2023) 'Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera)', International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research, 94(3-4), pp. 308-321. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000797 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831/a000797 - Catalano, A., Ceramella, J., Iacopetta, D., Marra, M., Conforti, F., Lupi, F.R., Gabriele, D., Borges, F. and Sinicropi, M.S (2024) 'Aloe vera - an extensive review focused on recent studies', Foods, 13(13), pp. 2155. doi:10.3390/foods13132155 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13132155 - Surjushe, A., Vasani, R. and Saple, D.G (2008) 'Aloe vera: a short review', Indian Journal of Dermatology, 53(4), pp. 163-166. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.44785 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.44785 - Liang, J., Cui, L., Li, J., Guan, S., Zhang, K. and Li, J (2020) 'Aloe vera: a medicinal plant used in skin wound healing', Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews, 27(5), pp. 455-474. doi:10.1089/ten.TEB.2020.0236 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.TEB.2020.0236 - Guo, X. and Mei, N (2016) 'Aloe vera: a review of toxicity and adverse clinical effects', Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part C, 34(2), pp. 77-96. doi:10.1080/10590501.2016.1166826 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10590501.2016.1166826 - Boyapati, R., Peeta, J., Dhulipalla, R., Kolaparthy, L., Adurty, C. and Cheruvu, R.N.S (2024) 'Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of probiotic, Aloe vera, povidine-iodine, and chlorhexidine mouthwashes in the treatment of gingival inflammation: a randomized controlled trial', Dental and Medical Problems, 61(2), pp. 181-190. doi:10.17219/dmp/156425 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.17219/dmp/156425 - Hekmatpou, D., Mehrabi, F., Rahzani, K. and Aminiyan, A (2019) 'The effect of Aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review', Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 44(1), pp. 1-9. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Gao, Y., Kuok, K.I., Jin, Y. and Wang, R (2018) 'Biomedical applications of Aloe vera', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 59(sup1), pp. S244-S256. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1496320 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1496320 - Feily, A. and Namazi, M.R (2009) 'Aloe vera in dermatology: a brief review', Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia, 144(1), pp. 85-91. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Sierra-Garcia, G.D., Castro-Rios, R., Gonzalez-Horta, A., Lara-Arias, J. and Chavez-Montes, A (2014) 'Acemannan, an extracted polysaccharide from Aloe vera: a literature review', Natural Product Communications, 9(8), pp. 1217-1221. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Catalano A, Iacopetta D, Ceramella J, et al. Aloe vera - An extensive review focused on recent studies. Foods. 2024;13 (2024) ';13(13):2155', 13(13). Traditional / reference
Find this source - Femenia A, Sánchez ES, Simal S, Rosselló C. Compositional features of polysaccharides from Aloe vera (1999) ';39(2):109-117', 39(2). Traditional / reference
Find this source - Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The effect of Aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: A systematic review. Iran J Med Sci. 2019;44 (2019) ';44(1):1-9', 44(1). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/ - National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Aloe vera. NIH. 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera (2020) 'https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera'. Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera Traditional / reference
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera - Sahu PK, Giri DD, Singh R, et al. Therapeutic and medicinal uses of Aloe vera: A review. Pharmacol Pharm. 2013;4:599-610 (2013) ';4:599-610'. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Sánchez M, González-Burgos E, Iglesias I, Gómez-Serranillos MP. Pharmacological update properties of Aloe vera and its major active constituents. Molecules. 2020;25 (2020) ';25(6):1324', 25(6). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7144722/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7144722/ - Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. Aloe vera: A short review. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53 (2008) ';53(4):163-166', 53(4). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2763764/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2763764/ - Ulbricht C, Armstrong J, Basch E, et al. An evidence-based systematic review of Aloe vera by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Herb Pharmacother. 2008;7 (2008) ';7(3-4):279-323'. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/ Traditional / reference
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio