Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis miller)
Synopsis of aloe vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species (Aloe barbadensis miller) in the Liliaceae family, known worldwide for its gel-filled leaves and extensive use in both traditional and modern herbal medicine. Native to North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, it is now cultivated globally in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant is easily recognized by its thick, fleshy, lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges, which store a clear, mucilaginous gel used for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.
Aloe vera gel contains over 75 active constituents, including vitamins (A, C, E, and B12), minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium), enzymes, amino acids, polysaccharides (like acemannan), saponins, and anthraquinones (like aloin). The gel is best known for its cooling, soothing, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, especially in the treatment of burns, cuts, insect bites, and sunburns. It helps stimulate collagen production, cell regeneration, and hydration when applied topically.
Internally, aloe vera juice (from the inner gel, not the outer leaf) is used in natural medicine to support digestive health, particularly for acid reflux, gastritis, constipation, and irritable bowel conditions. It acts as a demulcent, coating and calming the digestive tract, and has been shown to support gut flora and mucosal healing. However, the outer leaf contains strong laxative anthraquinones like aloin and emodin, which can irritate the gut and are typically removed in commercial preparations.
Aloe is also used in skincare, cosmetics, oral hygiene products, and dietary supplements for its hydrating, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects. Its benefits extend to immune modulation, liver support, and detoxification, though clinical evidence is strongest for topical use.
Historical Use:
Aloe vera has one of the longest documented histories of medicinal use, dating back over 6,000 years. It was known as the “plant of immortality” in ancient Egypt, where it was used in embalming rituals and for healing wounds and skin ailments. Egyptian queens like Cleopatra and Nefertiti reportedly used it as part of their beauty regimens.
In Greek and Roman medicine, aloe was valued for treating ulcers, wounds, and gastrointestinal disorders, as documented by physicians like Dioscorides and Galen. It was carried on long sea voyages by Arab traders and became an important healing plant in Persian, Indian (Ayurvedic), and Chinese medical traditions.
In Ayurveda, aloe (called Kumari) is used as a rejuvenating herb that supports female reproductive health, liver function, skin healing, and bowel regulation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), aloe is classified as a bitter, cold herb used to clear heat, reduce toxins, and purge accumulations, especially in the liver and intestines.
Today, aloe vera remains one of the most popular botanicals globally, bridging ancient herbal wisdom and modern science. It is prized for its ability to heal, hydrate, soothe, and restore, making it a staple in natural medicine cabinets, skincare routines, and wellness protocols.
Aloe vera is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abrasions (Scientific)
Abscesses (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Acne (Scientific)
Age Spots (Traditional)
Anal Fistula or Fissure (Traditional)
Arthritis (Traditional)
Athlete's Foot (Scientific)
Bites and Stings (Scientific)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Blisters (Scientific)
Boils (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Scientific)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Scientific)
Carbuncles (Traditional)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Chicken Pox (Traditional)
Cold Sores (Scientific)
Colds (antiviral) (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Colic (adults) (Traditional)
Colitis (Scientific)
Colon (atonic) (Traditional)
Colon (spastic) (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Traditional)
Conjunctivitis (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Convalescence (Traditional)
Corns (Traditional)
Cough (damp) (Traditional)
Cough (dry) (Traditional)
Cough (general) (Traditional)
Cough (spastic) (Traditional)
Cradle Cap (Traditional)
Crohn's Disease (Traditional)
Cuts (Scientific)
Cysts (Traditional)
Dandruff (Scientific)
Denture Sores (Scientific)
Dermatitis (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Diaper Rash (Scientific)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Duodenal Ulcers (Scientific)
Dysentery (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Eczema (Scientific)
Enteritis (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Foot Odor (Traditional)
Fungal Infections (Scientific)
Gastritis (Scientific)
Gingivitis (Scientific)
Halitosis (Scientific)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Herpes (Scientific)
Hiatal Hernia (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Injuries (Scientific)
Interstitial Cystitis (Traditional)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Traditional)
Itching (Scientific)
Itching (rectal) (Traditional)
Itching Ears (Traditional)
Jaundice (adults) (Traditional)
Jock Itch (Traditional)
Laryngitis (Traditional)
Leaky Gut Syndrome (Traditional)
Leprosy (Traditional)
Lesions (Scientific)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Menopause (Traditional)
Oral Surgery (Scientific)
Overacidity (Traditional)
Poison Ivy or Oak (Traditional)
Psoriasis (Scientific)
Rashes and Hives (Scientific)
Rosacea (Scientific)
Scabies (Scientific)
Scars / Scar Tissue (Scientific)
Scratches and Abrasions (Scientific)
Seborrhea (Scientific)
Shingles (Traditional)
Skin (dry and/or flaky) (Scientific)
Skin (infections) (Scientific)
Skin (oily) (Scientific)
Skin Care (general) (Scientific)
Slivers (Traditional)
Sore or Geographic Tongue (Traditional)
Sore Throat (Traditional)
Staph Infections (Scientific)
Stretch Marks (Traditional)
Stye (Traditional)
Sunburn (Scientific)
Surgery (healing from) (Scientific)
Thrush (Traditional)
Tickle in Throat (Traditional)
Tonsillitis (Traditional)
Tooth Extraction (Scientific)
Toothache (Traditional)
Ulcerations (external) (Scientific)
Ulcers (Scientific)
Urethritis (Traditional)
Urinary Tract Infections (Traditional)
Urination (burning or painful) (Traditional)
Urine (scant) (Traditional)
Vaginal Dryness (Scientific)
Vaginitis (Traditional)
Warts (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Scientific)
Wrinkles (Scientific)
aloe vera is used to support these body systems
Bronchials (Traditional)
Digestive System (Scientific)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Gums (Scientific)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
Small Intestines (Traditional)
Stomach (Scientific)
Vagina (Traditional)
