Picture courtesy of
Plants of Hawaii, "Forest &
Kim Starr (USGS)".
Authors: Lana Dvorkin PharmD, Julia
Whelan MS
Overview
Liliaceae Family. From North
Africa. Cultivated in Central America
and southern U.S. where it is the basis
of a large industry. Also grows in India
and the Middle East. The gel is non-bitter,
slimy leaf pulp and the main product.
Obtained by cutting away outer leaf
layers. (It is important to separate
the outer layer and the inner gel since
the outer layer can produce purgative
laxative effect.) The outer leaf produces
an extremely bitter yellow leaf liquid.
Historical Uses
The gel and leaf are used
for minor burns, skin irritations, asthma,
laxative, inflammation, arthritis, fever,
anesthesia, itching, diabetes, wound
healing.
Capsule (75 mg, 100 mg,
200 mg) or dry extract powder extract.
Soaps, juice, and gel, shampoos skin
creams and soaps and some treated facial
tissues. Minimun for soft stool is 20-30
mg aloin per day, as a tonic 50-100
ml of gel . 15-60 drops of aloe tincture
(1:10, 50% alcohol) as necessary.
Toxicities
Do not use in pregnancy,
occasional allergic reactions, heart
and kidney problems, intestinal obstructions,
colitis, nflammation of intestines.
Powerful purgative.
Theoretical interactions with insulin,
oral hypoglycemics, immunosuppressive
therapy. Possible additive effect with
hydrocortisone acetate cream.
Where Sold
Widely available as part
of preparations and in leaf form and
as a plant. FDA required manufacturers
to remove or reformulate aloe laxative
products from the market by November
2002.
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