Aloe vera is actually a common plant in many homes. A succulent perennial plant belonging to the lily family, aloe vera plant grows wild on the African continent. There are hundreds of aloe species. The aloe vera plant is often separated into two basic parts which are the gel and the latex. Aloe vera gel is a clear jelly-like substance obtained from the inner portion of the leaves. Aloe latex, commonly referred to as aloe vera juice, is a bitter yellow exudate that happens to be just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. Aloe vera latex has laxative properties.

Aloe vera and weight loss
Aloe vera is sometimes found in herbal weight loss products, but its effectiveness for this purpose in humans is not clear. If you have an interest in losing weight, consider an appetite suppression product that I have formulated called Diet Rx.

Aloe Verite Source Naturals

Aloe Verite organic, whole leaf aloe vera tablets offer the benefits of premium aloe vera juice in powerfully concentrated, easy to swallow tablets. Each Aloe Verite tablet contains a potent 200:1 concentrate of organic, whole-leaf, cold processed aloe vera powder. Source Naturals Aloe Verite tablets are made from freshly extracted aloe vera juice, which is vacuum processed at low temperatures to remove excess water. This method is superior to the heat-processing method used by most companies, because heat can destroy the active constituents of aloe vera.

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Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month we Email you a brief abstract of several new studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. We will mention research updates on aloe vera health benefit when published.

 

Aloe Vera Supplement Facts:
Aloe Vera Concentrate (200:1) - 600 mg *
Suggested Use: 1 to 3 aloe vera tablets. Each tablet contains the approximate equivalent of 1.33 fluid ounces of fresh aloe vera juice.
* Aloe Vera daily value not established.

High Quality products formulated by a medical doctor
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Aloe Vera benefit
For centuries, the gel of the aloe vera plant has been of benefit as a soothing topical remedy for minor burns and wounds. There have been many claims regarding the health benefit of aloe vera plant, but the one health benefit that most people agree is that aloe vera, when ingested internally, can promote bowel function and this could help certain people if they have difficulty with passing their stools and hence aloe vera could be beneficial in certain cases of constipation.

Aloe vera and gastrointestinal system
Aloe vera juice has been tested in a number of conditions including inflammatory bowel disease.
  
Aloe vera could be of benefit in certain instances of gastric mucosal healing. In a mouse study, administration of 20% acetic acid induced gastric inflammation, increased leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venules and TNF-alpha levels and reduced IL-10 level. Aloe vera treatment reduced leukocyte adherence and TNF-alpha levels, elevated IL-10 level and promoted gastric ulcer healing.

Aloe vera and blood sugar
Oral administration of aloe vera gel extract to diabetic rats for a period of three weeks resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, hepatic transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), plasma and tissue (liver and kidney) cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids and a significant improvement in plasma insulin. In addition, the decreased plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and increased plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein-and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in diabetic rats were restored to near normal levels following treatment with the extract.

Effect of a Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Aloe vera Gel on Experimentally Induced Insulin Resistance in Mice.
Am J Chin Med. 2007. Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Xochitepec, Morelos, México.
We investigated the effect of an extract from Aloe vera gel containing a high concentration of polyphenols on experimentally induced insulin resistance in mice. A polyphenol-rich Aloe vera extract (350 mg/kg) with known concentrations of aloin (181.7 mg/g) and aloe-emodin (3.6 mg/g) was administered orally for a period of 4 weeks to insulin resistant ICR mice. Pioglitazone (50 mg/kg) and bi-distilled water were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Results showed that the polyphenol-rich extract from Aloe vera was able to decrease significantly both body weight and blood glucose levels and to protect animals.

Aloe vera for oral lichen planus
The efficacy of aloe vera gel in the treatment of oral lichen planus: a randomized controlled trial.
Br J Dermatol. 2007 Dec. Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
We compared the efficacy of aloe vera and placebo in the topical management of oral lichen planus. Fifty-four patients were randomized into two groups to receive aloe vera gel or placebo for 8 weeks. Fifty-four consecutive patients (34 women and 20 men) participated in the study. We found erosive and ulcerative lesions in 83% and 17%, respectively. The most common site of oral lichen planus was the lower lip. Twenty-two of 27 patients treated with aloe vera (81%) had a good response after 8 weeks of treatment, while one of 27 placebo-treated patients (4%) had a similar response. Aloe vera gel is statistically significantly more effective than placebo in inducing clinical and symptomatological improvement of oral lichen planus. Therefore, aloe vera gel can be considered a safe alternative treatment for patients with oral lichen planus.

Availability of Aloe Vera plant
Aloe vera products are sold for internal use in the form of aloe vera juice, gel, and aloe vera drink. You can also find aloe vera in tablet and capsule form. Aloe vera is sold also for topical use to apply on skin in the form of cream, spray, and lotion.
   Sometimes the terms "gel" and "juice" are not clearly defined by makers of aloe vera and often are confused by consumers. Then there is the term aloe vera drink which is also confusing. It is quite possible that the aloe vera gel and the aloe vera juice can be mixed in many aloe vera products.

Aloe Vera product use suggestions
Until more research is done on the internal use of aloe vera products, it would be best to take breaks from the use of aloe vera gel or juice. Sometimes a plant can provide health benefits if ingested occasionally but could prove to be toxic if overused. I don't know if this is the case with aloe vera, but to be on the safe side take at least 2 days off a week and one week off each month. It would be helpful to have human research with aloe vera tablets or juice to determine whether this plant has any long term beneficial effects on blood sugar, blood lipids, and whether aloe vera has antiinflammatory properties.

Aloe vera and skin
Aloe vera is a natural product that is frequently used in soothing skin care products such as lotions for use after excessive sun exposure. It appears that aloe vera could be helpful for this purpose.

Investigation of the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Aloe vera Gel (97.5%) in the Ultraviolet Erythema Test.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2008 Feb.
We tested the anti-inflammatory potential of a highly concentrated Aloe vera gel in the UV erythema test in vivo. Forty volunteers with skin types II and III were included. Test areas on the back were irradiated with the 1.5-fold minimal erythema dose of UVB. Subsequently, the test areas were treated occlusively on 2 subsequent days with Aloe vera gel (97.5%), the positive controls (0.25% prednicarbate, 1% hydrocortisone in placebo gel and 1% hydrocortisone cream) and a placebo gel. Aloe vera gel significantly reduced UV-induced erythema after 48 h, being superior to 1% hydrocortisone in placebo gel. In contrast, 1% hydrocortisone in cream was more efficient than Aloe vera gel. In this study after 48 h the Aloe vera gel displayed some anti-inflammatory effects superior to those of 1% hydrocortisone in placebo gel. The Aloe vera gel tested here might be useful in the topical treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as UV-induced erythema.

Aloe vera for cancer
Mechanism of growth inhibitory effect of cape aloe extract in ehrlich ascites tumor cells.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2008 Dec. Department of Food and Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human Life Science, Oasaka City University.
We examined the effect of the selective growth inhibitory activity of cape aloe extract and found that the cape aloe extract, especially the dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2)) extract, caused a dose-dependent growth inhibitory effect in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, but not in mouse embryo fibroblast (NIH3T3) cells, which was used as a normal cell model.

What are some of the substances in Aloe Vera?
There are many compounds in aloe vera including glucomannans or pectic acid, plus various other organic and inorganic compounds. Glucans have been isolated. Veracylglucan B demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects, while Veracylglucan C exhibited significant cell proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities.
   From another research source: The dried flowers from Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Aloe barbadensis Mill.) (Asphodelaceae) have chlorogenic, caffeic, 5-P-coumaroylquinic, caffeoylshikimic, 5-feruloylquinic, 5-P-CIS-coumaroylquinic, P-coumaric and ferulic acid as well as luteolin, apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, isoorientin, isovitexin and their 7-O-glucosides, saponarin and lutonarin. Anthranoids in the flower extract include aloe-emodin as well as the glycosylchromone aloeresin B. Aloin is the precursor to aloe-emodin.
   From another source: aloe vera leaf gel has various phenolic acids / polyphenols, phytosterols, fatty acids, indoles, alkanes, pyrimidines, alkaloids, organic acids, aldehydes, dicarboxylic acids, ketones, and alcohols. Due to the presence of the antioxidant polyphenols, indoles, and alkaloids, the Aloe ferox leaf gel shows antioxidant capacity.

Aloe vera danger and caution
The primary class of compounds responsible for aloe-induced toxicity are anthraquinones. One of these, aloe-emodin, has been extensively investigated for apoptosis inducing effects. Aloin is the precursor to aloe-emodin. There have been rare cases of serious aloe vera side effects including hepatitis.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura associated with aloe vera administration.
Eur J Intern Med. 2005 Feb;16(1):59-60.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a systemic vasculitis that occurs most often in children and rarely follows exposure to drugs or other environmental factors. Aloe is one of the most widely used traditional remedies and has been associated with gastrointestinal and renal complications. We report a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in an adult patient who had previously received the herb Aloe vera.

Oral aloe vera induced hepatitis.
Ann Pharmacother. 2007 October. Bottenberg MM, Wall GC, Harvey RL, Habib S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Des Moines, IA, USA.
To report a case of possible oral aloe vera induced hepatitis. A 73-year-old female was admitted to the hospital for acute hepatitis. Extensive laboratory testing did not reveal the cause of the patient's disease. She was asked multiple times whether she was taking any home medications, which she initially denied. It was only after an extensive medication history done by a clinical pharmacist that the patient admitted to using oral aloe vera capsules for constipation. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe vera, liver markers of liver toxicity returned to normal levels.

Acute hepatitis induced by an aloe vera preparation: a case report.
World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Jan 14;11(2):303-4.
Aloe vera, plant extracts of Aloe barbadensis miller, is widely used in phytomedicine. The first case of acute hepatitis due to this compound was described. Hepatitis in a 57-year old female could be linked to the ingestion of Aloe barbadensis miller compounds. The patient's hepatitis resolved completely after discontinuing this medication. The case emphasizes the importance of considering phytopharmaceutical over-the-counter drugs as causative agents of hepatitis.

One-year chronic toxicity study of Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger in Wistar Hannover rats. A pilot study.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Feb. Onco-Pathology, Department of Pathology and Host-Defense, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.
This study was conducted to evaluate the chronic toxicity of Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger (ALOE) in the diet at doses of 4.0%, 0.8% or 0.16% to groups of male and female Wistar Hannover rats. No deaths occurred at any dose level throughout the treatment period. Both sexes receiving 4.0% showed diarrhea, with a reduced body weight gain. Increase of WBCs in the male 4.0% group, decrease of Hb in the female 4.0% and 0.8% groups, decrease of IP in the male 4.0% and 0.8% groups and female 4.0% group. Relative kidney weight showed increase in the female 4.0% group and relative heart and brain weights were decreased in the female 4.0% and 0.8% groups. Histopathologically, both sexes receiving 4.0% showed severe sinus dilatation of ileocecal lymph nodes, and yellowish pigmentation of ileocecal lymph nodes and renal tubules. In conclusion, the no observed adverse effect level for ALOE was the 0.16% in diet, which is equivalent to 87 and 109 mg/kg/day in males and females, respectively.

Aloe Vera Plant research update
Effect of Aloe vera preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and E.
Phytomedicine. 2005 Nov;12(10):760-5. Vinson JA, Al Kharrat H, Andreoli L.Department of Chemistry, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
There are no literature references describing the effect of consumption of Aloe vera liquid preparations on the absorption of water- or fat-soluble vitamins. There is a very large population worldwide which consume vitamins and many people also consume Aloe. Thus we report the effect of Aloe on the human absorption of vitamin C and vitamin E, the most popular vitamin supplements. The plasma bioavailability of vitamins C and E were determined in normal fasting subjects, with eight subjects for vitamin C and ten subjects for vitamin E. In a random crossover design, the subjects consumed either 500 mg of ascorbic acid or 420 mg of vitamin E acetate alone (control), or combined with 2 oz of two different Aloe preparations (a whole leaf extract, or an inner fillet gel). Results: The results indicate that the Aloes improve the absorption of both vitamins C and E. The absorption is slower and the vitamins last longer in the plasma with the Aloes. Aloe is the only known supplement to increase the absorption of both of these vitamins and should be considered as a complement to them.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a commercial Aloe vera gel in the treatment of slight to moderate psoriasis vulgaris.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 May;19(3):326-31.
The Aloe vera plant has been used for an array of ailments, including skin diseases. Recent experimental research have substantiated the presence of biologically active compounds in the gel, but there are few controlled, clinical trials to assess the efficacy. We aimed to test the effect of a commercial, preserved, but otherwise untreated Aloe vera gel in psoriasis. Forty-one patients with stable plaque psoriasis were included in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled right/left comparison. The study comprised a 2-week wash-out period followed by a 4-week treatment period with two daily applications and follow-up visits after 1 and 2 months. Data on 40 patients were analysed. The score sum of erythema, infiltration and desquamation decreased in 72.5% of the Aloe vera-treated sites compared with 82.5% of the placebo-treated areas from week 0 to week 4, which was statistically significant in favour of the placebo treatment. Fifty-five per cent of the patients reported local side-effects, mainly drying up of the skin on test areas. The effect of this commercial Aloe vera gel on stable plaque psoriasis was modest and not better than placebo. However, the high response rate of placebo indicated a possible effect of this in its own right, which would make the Aloe vera gel treatment appear less effective.

Antioxidant effect of Aloe vera gel extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.
Pharmacol Rep. 2005 Jan-Feb;57(1):90-6.
In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the presence of antioxidant property in the alcoholic extract of aloe vera leaf gel. Oral administration of aloe vera gel extract at a concentration of 300 mg/kg to diabetic rats significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and increased hemoglobin. The increased levels of lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxides in tissues of diabetic rats were reverted back to near normal levels after the treatment with gel extract. The extract treatment also resulted in a significant increase in reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats. These results clearly show the antioxidant property of Aloe vera gel extract. The extract was also more effective than glibenclamide in restoring the values of these parameters.

Protective value of Aloe vera against some toxic effects of arsenic in rats.
Phytother Res. 2005 Jan;19(1):23-8.
Concomitant oral supplementation of Aloe vera, (1, 2 or 5% w[sol ]v in drinking water) during arsenic exposure (0.2 mg[sol ]kg, intraperitoneally, once daily for 3 weeks) was investigated in rats for its protective value. Animals exposed to arsenic (III) showed a significant inhibition of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, a marginal decrease in glutathione (GSH) and an increase in zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level in blood. White blood corpuscles (WBC) level decreased while most of the other clinical blood parameters like red blood cells count, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC ratio and platelet number, etc. remained unaltered on arsenic exposure. Hepatic reduced GSH, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level remained unaltered, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level increased significantly while the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and catalase decreased on arsenic exposure. Renal GSH contents decreased while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased significantly on arsenic exposure. Concomitant administration of Aloe vera had remarkable protective action on inhibited blood ALAD activity and restored blood GSH level while most of the other blood biochemical parameters remained unchanged on Aloe vera supplementation. Interestingly, most of hepatic biochemical variables indicative of oxidative stress showed protection; no effect of Aloe vera on blood and liver arsenic concentration was noted. Also, no effect of Aloe vera on most of the altered renal biochemical parameters were noticed. The results thus lead us to conclude that simultaneous supplementation of Aloe vera protects against arsenic induced oxidative stress but does not influence the arsenic concentration in these organs.

Antilipoxygenase activity and the trace elements content of Aloe vera in relation to the therapeutic effect
Ceska Slov Farm. 2005 Jan;54(1):43-6.
Aloe vera is a rich source of many natural-health-promoting substances. The results of contemporary research on animal models indicate that the extracts have an antiinflammatory property. In this work the results of some in vitro experiments are shown: determination of the inhibitory effect of the Aloe vera extracts on the activity of partially purified lipoxygenase from the rat lung cytosol fraction, and quantitative determination of the trace elements presented in the extract (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) carried out by using the x-ray fluorescence analysis. The findings could explain the inhibitory effect (antilipoxygenase activity) of the Aloe vera extract in the acute inflammation process, expecially in the topical application for healing of minor burns and skin ulcers.

Phase II double-blind randomized study comparing oral aloe vera versus placebo to prevent radiation-related mucositis in patients with head-and-neck neoplasms.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2004 Sep 1;60(1):171-7.
In a single-institution, double-blind, prospective, randomized trial, we determined whether oral aloe vera gel can reduce radiation-induced mucositis in head-and-neck cancer patients. We randomized 58 head-and-neck cancer patients between oral aloe vera and placebo. To be included in this Phase II protocol, patients had to be treated with radiotherapy with curative intent at Stanford University between February 1999 and March 2002. We examined patients biweekly for mucositis at 15 head-and-neck subsites and administered quality-of-life questionnaires. In our randomized study, oral aloe vera was not a beneficial adjunct to head-and-neck radiotherapy. The mean quality-of-life scores were greater in the aloe vera group, but the differences were not statistically significant. Oral aloe vera did not improve tolerance to head-and-neck radiotherapy, decrease mucositis, reduce soreness, or otherwise improve patient well-being.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Apr 1;19(7):739-47.
The herbal preparation, aloe vera, has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory effects and, despite a lack of evidence of its therapeutic efficacy, is widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease. AIM: To perform a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of aloe vera gel for the treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis. Forty-four evaluable hospital out-patients were randomly given oral aloe vera gel or placebo, 100 mL twice daily for 4 weeks, in a 2 : 1 ratio. CONCLUSION: Oral aloe vera taken for 4 weeks produced a clinical response more often than placebo; it also reduced the histological disease activity and appeared to be safe. Further evaluation of the therapeutic potential of aloe vera gel in inflammatory bowel disease is needed.

Am J Infect Control. 2003 Dec;31(8):516.
Am J Infect Control. 2003 Feb;31(1):40-2.
An examination glove that delivers aloe vera gel to the gloved hand was studied in 30 adult females with bilateral occupational dry skin with or without irritant contact dermatitis (with or without erythema, fissures, and excoriations). All participants were factory assembly-line workers with repeated superficial skin trauma who attributed their dry, irritated, emollient-dependent skin to a common cause (occupational exposure). Participants were sequentially enrolled (after written informed consent, n = 29 evaluable participants) into an open, contralateral comparison study to evaluate efficacy of aloe vera glove use 8 h/day to one hand versus no use to the opposite hand for 30 days, followed by 30 days rest, followed by 10 days of repeated use. Dry-coated aloe vera gloves that provide for gradual delivery of aloe vera gel to skin produced a uniformly positive outcome of improved skin integrity, decreased appearance of fine wrinkling, and decreased erythema in the management of occupational dry skin and irritant contact dermatitis.

A Phase III study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on irradiated breast tissue.
Cancer Nurs. 2002 Dec;25(6):442-51.
The aim of the study was to see if topical aloe vera gel would be beneficial in reducing the identified skin side-effects of radiation therapy, including erythema, pain, itching, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation, when compared with aqueous cream. The secondary aim was to assess the effect of other factors known to predict severity of radiation skin reaction, ie, breast size, smoking habit, and one or more drainages of lymphocele after surgery, on other skin side effects. A Phase III study was conducted involving 225 patients with breast cancer after lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, who required a course of radiation therapy using tangential fields. Patients were randomized to either topical aloe vera gel or topical aqueous cream to be applied 3 times per day throughout and for 2 weeks after completion of radiation treatment. Weekly skin assessments were performed by nursing staff. Aqueous cream was significantly better than aloe vera gel in reducing dry desquamation and pain related to treatment. Subjects with D cup or larger size breasts experienced significantly more erythema, regardless of treatment arm. For subjects who had undergone lymphocele drainage, the aloe vera group experienced significantly more pain than the aqueous cream group. Within the aqueous cream arm, smokers were significantly more likely to experience itching within the treatment field than were nonsmokers. Within the aloe vera arm, subjects who had undergone one or more lymphocele drainages after surgery were significantly more likely to experience erythema and itching within the treatment field than those who did not have drainage. In this study, aloe vera gel did not significantly reduce radiation-induced skin side effects. Aqueous cream was useful in reducing dry desquamation and pain related to radiation therapy.

Biotherapy with the pineal immunomodulating hormone melatonin versus melatonin plus aloe vera in untreatable advanced solid neoplasms.
Nat Immun. 1998;16(1):27-33.
The possibility of natural cancer therapy has been recently suggested by advances in the knowledge of tumor immunobiology. Either cytokines such as IL-2, or neurohormones, such as the pineal indole melatonin, may activate anticancer immunity. In addition, immunomodulating substances have also been isolated from plants, particularly from Aloe vera. Preliminary clinical studies had already shown that melatonin may induce some benefits in untreatable metastatic solid tumor patients, whereas, for the time being, no clinical trial has been performed with aloe products. We have carried out a clinical study to evaluate whether the concomitant administration of aloe may enhance the therapeutic results of melatonin in patients with advanced solid tumors for whom no effective standard anticancer therapies are available. The study included 50 patients suffering from lung cancer, gastrointestinal tract tumors, breast cancer or brain glioblastoma, who were treated with melatonin alone (20 mg/day orally in the dark period) or MLT plus Aloe vera tincture (1 ml twice/day). A partial response (PR) was achieved in 2/24 patients treated with MLT plus aloe vera and in none of the patients treated with melatonin alone. Stable disease (SD) was achieved in 12/24 and in 7/26 patients treated with melatonin plus aloe or melatonin alone, respectively. Therefore, the percentage of nonprogressing patients (PR + SD) was significantly higher in the group treated with melatonin plus aloe vera than in the melatonin group. The percent 1-year survival was significantly higher in patients treated with melatonin plus aloe. Both treatments were well tolerated. This preliminary study would suggest that natural cancer therapy with melatonin plus Aloe vera extracts may produce some therapeutic benefits, at least in terms of stabilization of disease and survival, in patients with advanced solid tumors, for whom no other standard effective therapy is available.

Prevention of atheromatous heart disease.
Angiology. 1985 Aug;36(8):485-92.
Five thousand patients of atheromatous heart disease, presented as angina pectoris, were studied over a period of five years. After adding the 'Husk of Isabgol' and ' aloe vera ' (an indigenous plant known as ghee-guar-ka-paththa) to the diet, a marked reduction in total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, fasting and post prandial blood sugar level in diabetic patients, total lipids and also increase in HDL were noted. Simultaneously the clinical profile of these patients showed reduction in the frequency of anginal attacks and gradually, the drugs, like verapamil, nifedipine, beta-blockers and nitrates, were tapered. The patients, most benefitted, were diabetics (without adding any antidiabetic drug). The exact mechanism of the action of the above two substances is not known, but it appears, that probably they act by their high fibre contents. Both these substances need further evaluation. The most interesting aspect of the study was that no untoward side effect was noted and all the five thousand patients are surviving till date.

Different forms of Aloe Vera
We have had aloe vera raw material suppliers contact us to offer various types of aloe vera. Here's one email that we received mentioning the range of gels and extracts that they carry.
Aloe Vera Gel Diced
Aloe Vera pulp Juice
Aloe Vera Whole Leaf Dried Powder
1:1 Aloe Vera Whole Leaf Juice
10:1 Aloe Vera Whole leaf Concentrate
1:1 Aloe Vera Gel Juice
10:1 Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate
Aloe Vera Refined Powder
Aloe Vera Rind powder
100:1 Aloe Vera Whole Leaf freeze Dried Powder
100:1 Aloe Vera Gel Spray Dried Powder
100:1 Aloe Vera Gel Freeze Dried Powder
200:1 Aloe Vera Gel Freeze-Dried Powder
200:1 Aloe Vera Gel Spray Dried Powder

     As you can see, there are quite a number of aloe vera compounds, gels, extracts, juices, etc and it is difficult to know which form is best.

Aloe Vera benefit emails
Q. Dear Dr. Sahelian, recently I have discovered something that has effectively eliminated heart palpitations from my life and in doing so, has greatly improved my quality of life and I wish to pass along the information to someone who might care enough to use it to help others. Here is the story:
    In the late 1980s I developed hypertension and have been under treatment since that time. I now take both lisinopril and metoprolol tartrate for the hypertension. In the late 1990s I began to develop heart palpitations (atrial). These really bothered me psycologically even though my doctor assured me that they were not life threatening and informed me that he considered the known treatments to be far more dangerous than the palpitations themselves. As a result, I have simply lived with them over the past few years and over that time they progressively became more severe. By March of this year I would experience 20 to 40 minutes of steady heart palpitations every time I would lie down as well as random palpitations the rest of the time. They were beginning to actually make me feel physically sick. During the early part of the year I had also been having a problem with a urinary tract infection as a result of long standing urinary track problems. I was given the choice of treatment with antibiotics or uroquid (a sodium phosphate based drug). I had chosen the uroquid and by March had a very bad reaction to it. One of the results was that it really messed up my stomach. For the stomach problem I began taking aloe vera soft gels of the common variety that are available at health food stores and drug stores. I was taking two a day and by the second day I was astounded to realize that the heart palpitations were totally gone. After taking the aloe vera for one month, I stopped it to see what would happen. The heart palpitations returned within 24 hours. I started taking the aloe vera again and the heart palpitations again stopped. After taking the aloe vera for six months, I again stopped it to see what would happen. This time it took a full week for the heart palpitations to return. Recently, I had a slight problem with some minor palpitations, but found that taking a couple of Citrical tabs (one time only) caused them to go away again completely. At this point I am extremely grateful to have the palpitations gone from my life.
     So far I have found one other person with palpitations. In her case the palpitations were a result of a severe physical trauma to the chest. Her doctor was medicating her for her palpitations with something that was making her feel lousy and controlling but not eliminating the palpitations. I suggested she talk to her doctor about the aloe vera. She did and he told her to go for it. I have since been informed that the aloe vera has eliminated her palpitations, the doctor has taken her off of the prescription medication, and that she is feeling better than she has in years. I have also discussed this aloe vera experience with someone at the NIH. This study indicated the aloe vera also may improve lipid and glucose levels in the blood among other things and there is no record that there was any significant follow up to it. My recent blood work done by my physician seems to confirm this since all results from my blood work showed the same patterns of improvement as those in the study. I have since sought out other substances that might help me with my hypertension as well and am now taking fish oil and COQ10 in addition to the aloe vera. I am also trying to follow the dash diet. The overall effect is that my hypertension has been retreating steadily and I am really happy that by accident (or providence) I had this experience with aloe vera. Thank you very much for providing the opportunity to contribute.

Q. I started making my own aloe vera juice, from the actual leaf, and it sure helped my internal cleansing.  Now I am regular, and not bloated all the time.  Aloe Vera juice, from the leaf, no cooking, nothing. I mix it with key lime juice, and apple and grape juice.  Yes it appears, slimy, but it has no taste, so it goes down easily. I also cut chunks of the flesh, and add it to my salads.  I also fry it with other greens, and it is quite tasty.  Try it.

Q. Is it okay to take an aloe vera juice with other supplements such as curcumin or saw palmetto?
   A. Probably. We don't suspect there would be a problem.

Q. Does aloe vera cream help protect against sunburn?
   A. Aloe vera cream appears to offer no sunburn or suntan protection and no efficacy in sunburn treatment.

Q. How often can I take aloe vera tablets?
   A. Little research is available in humans regarding the long term use of aloe vera gel or tablet. Therefore, just to be on the safe side, you may consider using an internal aloe vera product at most 5 days a week and it may be a good idea to take at least a week off each month. We prefer being cautious until more aloe vera research is done in humans.

Q. Are there any suspected interactions between taking an aloe vera supplement in the morning and 5-HTP at night?
   A. I don't see any problems with this combination.

Q. Does aloe vera cream applied on the skin reduce the pain from shingles?
   A. We have seen this mentioned on some websites, but we have not seen any studies regarding the use of aloe vera cream applied on the skin for shingles pain relief.

Q. I know that Aloe vera is nor a drug nor a medicine. I am interested to know the benefits regular consuming of Aloe vera juice. I read in many magazines, that oral consumption of Aloevera benefits for many Cronic Diseases. I am a Chronic Psoriasis Patient and how this will be benefit to me. So if you can please let me know the aloe vera benefits.
   A. We are not aware of research done with aloe vera juice and psoriasis, however there is one research study we found with aloe vera gel and psoriasis and the benefits appeared to be modest.

Q. Q. My son suffers from Crohn's Disease and I have already undergone surgery foe spinal stenosis. We both succumbed to the Mannatech fairy tale and it was costly ( 6 months of glyconutrients ) Now there is a Dr. Webber in Oregon who is pedaling aloe vera as a way to regenerate the nerves in my spinal column. Does aloe vera take care of these problems?
   A. We are not aware of extensive human studies with aloe vera in regards to Crohn's disease or spinal stenosis. Aloe vera may have some benefit in inflammatory bowel disease.

Q. I've heard there is some correlation between aloe vera and Vision, as well as aloe vera and Emphysema. Would you know if this is fact or fiction?
   A. I have personally not taken an aloe vera supplement yet so I don't know if vision if improved by using it and we are not aware of research regarding aloe vera use and emphysema or COPD. There are many supplements that are known to improve vision. See eyesight web page. There are also supplements that may be helpful for COPD.

Q. Is aloe vera supplement effective for weight loss?
   A. I have not seen any good human research that an aloe vera supplement is effective by itself for weight loss. See weight loss pill for supplements that could help.

Q. I was reading that the sap and rind in the whole leaf aloe vera is what gives the anti inflammatory effects and what is best, or is the Inner leaf (fillet) (juice) just fine? I have stomach disorders.
   A. We are not completely certain, but it appears that the gel and juice have active ingredients and the whole leaf may have additional beneficial ingredients. For practical purposes, one can consume either aloe vera juice or take the whole leaf tablets.

Q. Are there different extract potencies of aloe vera leaf?
   A. Yes, there is even a 200 to 1 aloe vera leaf extract concentration.

This aloe vera page was last updated February 2008.

Health benefit Aloe vera