Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera Syn. A. Barbadensis)
Aloe Vera
A perennial with succulent leaves 60 cm long and a spike of yellow or orange flowers. native to Africa, Aloe Vera is commonly cultivated as a potted plant and has two distinct types of medicinal use. The clear gel contained in the leaf is a remarkably effective healer of wounds and burns, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing the riak of infection. The yellow sap from the base of the leaf when dreid is known as “bitter aloes”. it is a strong laxative, useful for short term constipation.
Habitat and Cultivation
Native to eastern and southern Africa, Aloe Vera grows wild in the tropics and is cultivated extensively worldwide. The plants grown as potted plants have a low anthraquinone content. Aloe Vera is propagated by breaking off small rooted plants. To collect the gel and bitter liquid, the leaves are cut and drained as required.
Related Species
Cape aloes (A.ferox) is used in herbal medicine as an irritant laxative, many other aloe species are also useful medicinally.
Parts Used:
leaves : exude a bitter liquid, which is dried and known as “bitter aloes”. They also contain a clear gel, which is soothing skin remedy. Leaves are broken off and the clear gel is applied to the skin as a first aid remedy for burns.
Key Constituents
Anthraquinones (aloin, aloe-emodin)
Resins
Tannins
Polysaccharides
Aloectin B
Key Actions
Heals wounds
Emollient
Stimulates secretions of bile
Laxative
Research
Healing properties extensive research since the 1930 in the US and Russia has shown that the clear gel has a dramatic ability to heal wounds, ulcers, and burns, putting a protective coat on the affected area and speeding up the rate of healing. This action is in part due to the presence of aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system.
Traditional and Current Uses
Beauty treatment: Aloe Vera has a long history as a skin lotion – cleopatra is said to have attributed her beauty to it
Western remedy :In the west aloe vera first became popular in the 1950s when its ability to heal burns, in particular radiation burn, was discovered
First aid: Aloe vera is an excellent first aid remedy to keep in the home for burns, srapes, scalds, and sunburn. A leaf broken of releases soothing gel, which may be applied to the affected part
Skin Conditions: The gel is useful for almost any skin condition that needs soothing and astringing, and will help varicose veins to some degree
Ulcers: The protective and healing effect of aloe vera also works internally, and the gel can be used for peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome
Laxative: The bitter yellow liquid in the leaves (bitter aloes) contain anthraquinones. which are strongly laxative. They cause the colon to contract, generally producing a bowl movement 8-12 hours after consumption. At low doses, the bitter properties of the herb stimulates the digestion. at higher doses, bitter aloes are laxative and purgative.
Key Preparations and Their Uses
Cautions: Do not use the bitter yellow juice from the base of the layers (bitter aloes) on the skin. Its use is restricted in some countries. Do not take internally during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Do not take if suffering from hemorrhoids or kidney disease
Bitter aloes: Are used by herbalists to treat constipation
Juice: Is made commercially from the gel. for peptic ulcers, take 50 ml 3 times a day
Leaves: Break off a leaf and split open to collect the gel for burns and eczema, apply liberally twice a day
Tincture: Made from bitter aloes. To stimulate the appetite, take 1-3 ml with water before meals.
Interactions
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
Digoxin interacts with Aloe
When taken by mouth aloe latex is a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin.
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
Antidiabetes drugs interacts with Aloe
Aloe gel might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking aloe gel along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride, glyburide, Glynase PresTab, insulin, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, chlorpropamide, glipizide, tolbutamide, and others.
Oral drugs interacts with Aloe
When taken by mouth aloe latex is a laxative. Laxatives can decrease how much medicine your body absorbs. Taking aloe latex along with medications you take by mouth might decrease the effectiveness of your medication.
Sevoflurane interacts with Aloe
Aloe might decrease clotting of the blood. Sevoflurane is used as anesthesia during surgery. Sevoflurane also decreases clotting of the blood. Taking aloe before surgery might cause increased bleeding during the surgical procedure. Do not take aloe by mouth if you are having surgery within 2 weeks.
Stimulant laxatives interacts with Aloe
When taken orally aloe latex is a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Taking aloe latex along with other stimulant laxatives could speed up the bowels too much and cause dehydration and low minerals in the body.
Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl , cascara, castor oil , senna, and others.
Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with ALOE
When taken orally, aloe latex is a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels and can cause diarrhea in some people. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin, do not to take excessive amounts of aloe latex.
Diuretic drugs interacts with ALOE
When taken by mouth aloe latex is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. “Water pills” can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking aloe latex along with “water pills” might decrease potassium in the body too much.
Some “Diuretics” that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and others.
RESOURCES
Aloe vera Drug Interactions. Drugs.com website. http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/aloe-vera.html
ALOE. WebMd website. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-607-aloe.aspx?activeingredientid=607&activeingredientname=aloe
Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia Of Medicinal Plants. New York: DK Publishing Inc, 1996. Print