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Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
Materia Medica
Family: Asphodelaceae
Botanical name: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
Common names: Aloe Vera, True Aloe, Barbados Aloe
Parts used: Inner leaf gel, leaf latex
Growth habit: Succulent perennial
Primary traditions: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and global topical use
Actions & Energetics
Historical materia medica distinguishes the clear inner gel from the yellow latex. The gel is recorded as demulcent, vulnerary, and emollient for topical use. The latex is recorded as a strong cathartic.
Botanical Description
Aloe vera is a stemless or short-stemmed succulent with thick, fleshy, lanceolate leaves that have serrated margins and contain a clear mucilaginous gel. The yellow latex is found in the leaf skin just under the epidermis. Flowering stalks bear tubular yellow or orange flowers.
Traditional Indications
The clear inner gel has a long record for topical application to burns, wounds, and irritated skin. Historical sources also note the latex for constipation. The two materials are distinct and should not be confused.
Preparations & Dosage
Inner Gel (Topical)
The clear gel is applied directly to intact or minor skin irritation. Commercial preparations of the gel are widely available.
Latex
The yellow latex is a strong cathartic. Historical and modern sources note that internal use of latex-containing preparations is not appropriate for ordinary self-care.
Constituents
The gel contains polysaccharides (including acemannan), amino acids, and enzymes. The latex contains anthraquinone glycosides, principally aloin.
Modern Research
Research on the gel has examined topical wound-healing and skin effects. The latex is studied for its purgative action and is subject to regulatory restrictions in some jurisdictions for internal use.
Adverse Effects
Topical gel is generally well-tolerated. Latex-containing products can cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Prolonged internal use of latex has been associated with electrolyte imbalance and melanosis coli.
Interactions & Contraindications
Latex preparations may interact with drugs that affect electrolyte balance. The clear gel is the material traditionally used on the skin.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Internal use of latex is not recommended in pregnancy. Topical use of the clear gel is the traditional application.
Habitat & Cultivation
- Native range: Arabian Peninsula
- Habitat: Arid and semi-arid regions
- Cultivation: Widely grown in tropical and subtropical climates for gel and latex
Harvesting & Drying
Leaves are cut at the base. The clear gel is separated from the yellow latex for different uses. Gel is used fresh or in processed preparations.
History, Folklore & Spiritual Use
Aloe has been used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern traditions for skin care and as a cathartic for centuries. Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sources record both the gel and the bitter latex. The plant remains one of the most widely cultivated medicinal succulents.
Materia Medica Summary
Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) is a succulent whose clear inner gel is traditionally applied topically for burns and skin irritation, while the yellow latex is a strong cathartic. The two materials are distinct. Ordinary traditional use centers on the topical gel.