Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal and therapeutic properties. Its soothing effects on the skin are one of the main reasons it’s so popular. While most people know aloe vera for this general use, aloe vera also offers many lesser-known potential health benefits.

This article will cover everything about aloe vera, from its nutritional profile and benefits to potential risks.

Tip
The gel inside aloe vera leaves is 95% water, making it an excellent moisturizer for your skin.

Facts and History

Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis Miller, is a perennial plant. It originally came from North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Canary Islands. Today, it’s grown across the globe for medicinal purposes.

The gel found within aloe vera leaves contains many biologically active compounds. These include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and plant sugars called polysaccharides (complex chains of sugar molecules) like acemannan. Research suggests these compounds may be responsible for some of aloe vera’s health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory (reducing inflammation), antimicrobial (fighting germs), antioxidant (protecting cells from damage), and immune-enhancing properties (1).

Acemannan, one of the most notable compounds in aloe vera gel, is a polysaccharide rich in a sugar called mannose. Studies show that acemannan may help wounds heal faster and support your immune system (2, 3).

Summary
Aloe vera is a plant containing beneficial compounds like acemannan (a plant sugar). It has properties that can reduce inflammation, fight germs, protect cells from damage, and support your immune system, including helping wounds heal faster.

Nutritional Facts

Besides being used on your skin, aloe vera is also available for consumption, especially as juice. The inner leaf gel contains vitamins A, C, E, and several B vitamins (including B12). It provides essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc. These nutrients support many essential bodily functions.

Aloe vera is also a good source of silicon, a mineral needed for maintaining healthy bones and connective tissue. Research has found that silicon from aloe vera supplements is easily absorbed, indicating that this mineral is efficiently absorbed and utilized (4).

Additionally, aloe vera contains various antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols. These antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress (damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals). This protection may potentially lower the risk of developing chronic diseases.

The antioxidants found in aloe vera, including quercetin and catechin, have been linked to heart health. They may help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.

Aloe vera may also enhance vitamin absorption. Research shows that taking aloe vera supplements is linked to increased levels of vitamins C and B12 in the blood, suggesting it improves the bioavailability of these nutrients (5).

Summary
Aloe vera, available for both skin use and consumption, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients support various bodily functions, help your body absorb nutrients better, and may reduce your risk of chronic diseases.

Aloe Vera: Uses and Benefits

Now let’s explore the various potential uses and benefits of aloe vera for your health.

Skin Health

One of aloe vera’s most popular benefits is its soothing effect on skin. Many people use it to help heal sunburns, minor burns, and scrapes. The plant’s anti-inflammatory properties can reduce skin redness and swelling, while its moisturizing effects maintain skin hydration.

A carefully controlled study found that applying a highly concentrated aloe vera gel significantly reduced skin redness caused by UV exposure (1).

Aloe vera has also been studied for its effects on skin conditions like acne and psoriasis (a condition causing red, itchy, scaly patches). Research shows that a cream containing aloe vera extract significantly improved psoriasis symptoms compared to a placebo (6).

Aloe vera may also have anti-aging effects. One clinical study found that women over 45 who took aloe vera gel supplements had significantly fewer facial wrinkles and better skin elasticity (stretchiness) (7).

Another study showed that low-dose oral aloe sterols enhanced skin moisture and improved skin barrier function (8).

For burn patients, aloe vera can speed up healing. A thorough review of multiple studies found that aloe vera significantly shortened the healing time of burn wounds compared to traditional treatments (9). Its anti-inflammatory and skin-hydrating properties may help tissues regenerate more quickly with less scarring.

Summary
Aloe vera is widely used for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing effects on skin. It can help heal burns, improve skin conditions like acne and psoriasis, and potentially reduce wrinkles while enhancing skin elasticity.

Digestive Health

Aloe vera might benefit your gut health by calming your digestive tract with its anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests it could be an effective and safe short-term treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common disorder that affects the large intestine and causes symptoms like abdominal pain and discomfort.

A thorough review of multiple studies concluded that aloe vera effectively and safely treats IBS symptoms compared to placebo (an inactive treatment) (10).

Aloe vera has also been studied for its potential to help with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a digestive disorder that affects the muscle between the esophagus and stomach. An early study concluded that aloe vera syrup safely and effectively reduced GERD symptoms (11).

Research also suggests that aloe vera might support a healthy gut microbiome. A carefully controlled study investigating aloe vera extract in people with IBS had promising results. The study found that the bacteria and metabolites (byproducts of metabolism) in stool samples differed between people who responded to the treatment and those who didn’t (12).

Summary
Aloe vera may benefit your gut health by calming your digestive tract. It might help relieve symptoms of IBS and GERD, and positively affect your gut bacteria.

Blood Sugar Regulation

Research suggests that aloe vera might help maintain and control blood sugar levels in individuals with prediabetes (higher than normal blood sugar) or type 2 diabetes. Several studies have found that fasting blood glucose (sugar measured after not eating for several hours) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control) levels decreased with aloe vera supplementation (13).

Another analysis of multiple studies confirmed these results. It found that aloe vera supplements significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood), total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol (often called “bad” cholesterol). It also increased HDL cholesterol (often called “good” cholesterol) in people with prediabetes and early untreated diabetes (14).

In a carefully controlled study, people with prediabetes who took aloe vera extract had significantly lower fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels after eight weeks compared to those who took a placebo (15). The study also noted improved blood fat profiles, such as lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

Summary
Research suggests that aloe vera might help regulate blood sugar and improve blood fat profiles if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes by lowering fasting glucose, HbA1c, and cholesterol levels.

Immune System Support

Aloe vera may enhance immune function by stimulating immune cell activity. In one carefully controlled study, processed aloe vera gel decreased the number of upper respiratory tract infections (like common colds) in healthy adults (16).

In another study, consuming a supplement mixture containing aloe vera resulted in a rapid increase in immune surveillance and activation markers in the body in healthy participants. This suggests the supplement enhanced the body’s innate immune response (17).

Oral Health

Aloe vera is sometimes added to oral health products because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Research shows that aloe vera mouthwash effectively reduces dental plaque (a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth) and gingival inflammation (swelling of the gums).

In a carefully controlled study, aloe vera mouthwash showed antibacterial effectiveness comparable to other commercial mouthwashes in reducing plaque (18).

Aloe vera has also shown promise in treating oral mucosal diseases (conditions affecting the lining of the mouth). A thorough review concluded that aloe vera effectively managed oral mucosal diseases such as oral lichen planus (an inflammatory condition) and oral submucous fibrosis (a chronic condition that affects the mouth) (19).

Another study found that aloe vera gel reduced symptoms in patients with oral submucous fibrosis, highlighting its potential as a treatment option (20).

Tip
If you have an itchy or dry scalp, you might find relief by massaging aloe vera gel directly onto your scalp and leaving it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing.

Women’s Health

Several studies have examined aloe vera’s potential benefits for women’s health, specifically focusing on menopausal symptoms. One carefully controlled study assessed the impact of aloe vera vaginal cream versus estrogen cream in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy (thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls).

Results indicate that aloe vera may be equally effective in improving vaginal health scores and reducing symptoms compared to estrogen cream (21).

Aloe vera may also help reduce nipple pain and irritation in breastfeeding mothers. A thorough review of multiple studies found that aloe vera gel decreased nipple pain and improved irritation more than the control treatments in studies (22).

Tip
Aloe vera gel can be frozen in ice cube trays to create soothing treatments for sunburns or irritated skin. The cool temperature enhances its calming effect, helping to reduce redness and inflammation.

Risks and Side Effects

While aloe vera offers many potential benefits, it’s important to know about possible risks and side effects.

Allergic Reactions

Aloe vera is typically safe for most people when applied to the skin. However, some people may experience allergic reactions. If you have allergies to plants in the Liliaceae family, which includes garlic, onions, and tulips, you might be more likely to have a reaction.

An allergic reaction might appear as skin irritation, redness, or rash. If you notice any negative reactions, stop using aloe vera and contact a healthcare provider.

Digestive Issues

Taking aloe vera by mouth can cause stomach discomfort for some people. The latex from the aloe plant—found in the substance beneath the leaf’s skin—has a strong laxative effect and can cause cramping or diarrhea if consumed in large amounts.

For internal use, ensure the product is formulated for consumption and free from aloe latex. Long-term use or high doses of aloe vera whole-leaf powder have been linked to kidney changes, including increased relative kidney weight and pigmentation in the kidneys (23).

Interactions with Medications

Aloe vera may interact with certain medications, including:
– Blood sugar-lowering medications
– Diuretics (water pills)
– Laxatives

If you take these types of medications or have underlying health conditions, consult a healthcare professional before oral or supplemental use.

Some studies have reported toxicity and side effects associated with oral consumption of unprocessed aloe vera or products containing aloe latex. One review noted that ingestion of certain aloe preparations may cause diarrhea, electrolyte abnormalities (imbalance of essential minerals in the body), kidney problems, and a possible cancer-causing effect (24).

Summary
Aloe vera may cause allergic reactions or digestive issues, particularly when taken by mouth. It can also interact with certain medications. Excessive use of aloe latex can lead to serious health risks including kidney damage and diarrhea.

Conclusion

Aloe vera is an extremely versatile plant that people have used for its medicinal properties for hundreds of years. The most common benefits include promoting skin health and healing wounds. It may also help improve digestive health, regulate blood sugar, boost your immune system, support oral health, and benefit women’s health.

Several high-quality studies on aloe vera have shown favorable outcomes. However, keep in mind that some studies have limitations, and there are risks to consider.

Before using aloe vera for its potential health benefits, individuals with existing health conditions or those taking medications should consult a healthcare provider to ensure safe use.

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