Aloe vera: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
aloe, aloes, aloe of the Barbarians, aloe
Scientific name(s)
Aloe barbadensis, Aloe indica, Aloe africana
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Anthraquinones
Aloeride
Acemannan
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
According to clinical research, a topical application of 50% aloe gel morning and evening, in combination with a 0.025% tretinoin gel, in addition to daily cleansing, improves acne lesions by about 35% compared to tretinoin gel and cleansing alone.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
Adolescents
gel
Burns ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research has shown that twice-daily application of aloe gel or cream reduces healing time compared to silver sulfadiazine, framycetin, vaseline gauze, and placebo.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
gel
The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: A systematic review
Aloe vera.
Effect of aloe vera gel to healing of burn wound a clinical and histologic study.
Aloe versus silver sulfadiazine creams for second-degree burns: a randomized controlled study.
Constipation ✪✪✪✪✪
Aloe vera is used for occasional constipation in individuals over 12 years old. Hydroxyanthracene derivatives (DHA), responsible for the laxative effect, are the cause of multiple well-documented adverse effects. EFSA indicates that these DHAs may also damage DNA and be carcinogenic. Available data do not allow EFSA to establish a daily dose for DHAs without harmful health effects. Additionally, EMA specifies that the recommended daily dose in standardized plant-based preparations in liquid or solid form is equivalent to 10 - 30 mg of hydroxyanthracene derivatives expressed in aloin. The duration of use should not exceed one week. If symptoms persist, a doctor should be consulted.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
10 - 30 mg
1 - weeks
Adolescents, Adults, Seniors
standardized preparation
European Union herbal monograph on Aloe barbadensis Mill. and on Aloe (various species, mainly Aloe ferox Mill. and its hybrids), folii succus siccatu
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Scientific and technical support note from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety regarding the safety of fresh Aloe vera leaves intended for human consumption
Type 2 Diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
Most clinical research shows that oral intake of aloe vera can reduce fasting blood glucose and HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) in adults with diabetes and pre-diabetes. An analysis involving 92 patients shows that aloe vera is associated with a greater overall reduction in fasting blood glucose in patients whose fasting blood glucose level was 200 mg/dL or higher. Another analysis involving 206 patients shows that aloe vera increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and reduces triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) compared to placebo in pre-diabetic and untreated diabetic adults. The most effective aloe dosage and formulation for diabetes treatment are unclear. Aloe vera gel powder, crushed raw aloe leaves, and aloe vera juice have been used for 4 to 14 weeks. Solid aloe formulations from 100 to 1,000 mg per day have been used. Aloe juice from 15 to 150 ml per day has been utilized.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
15 - 150 mL
Adults
concentrated juice
Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice II. Clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide.
Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness.
Reduction of Fasting Blood Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c Using Oral Aloe Vera: A Meta-Analysis
Efficacy of Aloe Vera Supplementation on Prediabetes and Early Non-Treated Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus.
Effect of Aloe vera on glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Psoriasis ✪✪✪✪✪
Topical application of 0.5% aloe extract cream three times daily for 4 weeks improves the resolution of psoriatic plaques compared to placebo. It seems to reduce scaling, erythema, and infiltration.
Posologie
Topical: leaf
4 - weeks
Adults
aloe extract cream
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research suggests that taking a specific aloe gel complex containing 147 mg of processed aloe gel, administered twice daily for 8 weeks, reduces weight by 0.6 kg and fat mass by 1.0 kg compared to placebo, in overweight or obese, diabetic, or prediabetic patients.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
294 mg
8 - weeks
Adults
gel
Metabolic syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
According to a study, a specific aloe gel complex may reduce body mass, fat mass index, and insulin resistance in individuals with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
294 mg
8 - weeks
Adults
gel
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Studies suggest that taking aloe extract 10-20 ml/day orally for 12 weeks can reduce total cholesterol by about 15%, LDL cholesterol by about 18%, and triglycerides by about 25% to 30% in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
10 - 20 mL
12 - weeks
Adults
concentrated juice
Canker sores ✪✪✪✪✪
A study showed that the application of aloe vera gel 3 times a day, in cases of minor recurrent oral aphthosis, was associated with an increased healing rate and reduced pain compared to placebo gel. Another clinical evidence suggests that using a dressing containing acemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from aloe vera, reduces the average healing time of canker sores compared to an oral analgesic.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
gel
Properties
Laxative
The outer part of the Aloe vera leaf secretes a yellow liquid (called latex or sap) rich in hydroxyanthracene derivatives (DHA), molecules that have a very powerful laxative effect. There are two different mechanisms of action: 1. Stimulation of colonic motility leading to an acceleration of intestinal transit. 2. Inhibition of water and electrolyte absorption (Na+, Cl-) by the epithelial cells of the colon and an increase in water and electrolyte secretion into the intestinal lumen.
Usages associés
Dermatological effect
It has been demonstrated in vivo that aloe gel reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and increases the water content of the stratum corneum. Additionally, it increases skin elasticity and collagen content in the dermis and reduces transepidermal water loss, thus improving signs of skin fatigue. On the other hand, when applied to psoriatic plaques, the aloe extract cream seems to reduce cell flaking, erythema, and infiltration. This results in a reduction or resolution of the plaques.
Usages associés
Healing
Aloe gel can inhibit the synthesis of thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor, which improves micro-circulation. This can speed up the healing of burns and frostbites. The anti-inflammatory properties of topical aloe do not seem to interfere with healing but decrease wound traction, probably by stimulating fibroblasts and by increasing collagen development, which accelerates healing.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
In vitro, aloe gel has an anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-8 levels in the colorectal mucosa. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that carboxypeptidase and salicylate components of aloe gel inhibit bradykinin (a hormone with a potent vasodilator effect involved in the pain mechanism). Locally, salicylic acid and other anti-prostaglandin components contained in aloe may be responsible for aloe's local anti-inflammatory activity, probably related to an inhibitory effect on the arachidonic acid pathway via cyclooxygenase.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
Animal research suggests that aloe gel may have hypoglycemic effects. The possible mechanism of action is the stimulation of beta cells (explored in diabetic mice), leading to a decrease in blood glucose levels. However, human research results in diabetic patients remain contradictory.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Studies on animal models have shown that the antioxidant effects of aloe pulp are due to aloe derivatives and glycoproteins contained in aloe. These antioxidant effects may play a role in the anti-inflammatory and healing effects of aloe.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 12 years: 10 mg - 30 mg (standardized preparation)
Aloe vera is safe when used topically as aloe gel. Orally, aloe gel can be used safely. It has been safely used at a dose of 15 ml per day for up to 42 days. However, aloe latex, used for constipation, contains hydroxyanthracene derivatives (DHA) which are known to have multiple widely documented adverse effects. EFSA indicates that these DHAs may damage DNA and be carcinogenic and that available data did not allow EFSA to establish a daily dose for DHAs without detrimental health effects. Moreover, the EMA specifies that the recommended daily dose in standardized herbal preparations in liquid or solid form is equivalent to 10 - 30 mg of hydroxyanthracene derivatives expressed as aloin, for subjects over 12 years and not exceeding a week's treatment.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant: moderate interaction
Aloe vera seems to inhibit thromboxane A2, prostaglandins, thus may reduce platelet aggregation. Theoretically, the concomitant use of aloe and other antiplatelet medications may reduce platelet aggregation and increase bleeding risk.
Antidiabetic: moderate interaction
Clinical research suggests that aloe gel may lower blood glucose and increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with antidiabetics.
Digoxin: strong interaction
Theoretically, aloe latex increases the risk of adverse effects and toxicity of cardiac glycoside-based medications due to potassium loss.
Diuretics: moderate interaction
Abuse of aloe latex may exacerbate potassium loss induced by diuretics and increase the risk of hypokalemia.
laxative: moderate interaction
Due to the laxative effects of aloe latex, concomitant use with other laxatives may worsen water and electrolyte loss.
Precautions
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Research suggests that aloe gel has a hypoglycemic effect. Blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored.
Contraindications
Pregnant woman: prohibited
Aloe vera is contraindicated in pregnant women due to the potentially mutagenic effect of anthraquinones present in aloe leaf extracts and aloe latex.
Nursing woman: prohibited
Aloe vera is contraindicated for nursing women due to the transfer of anthraquinones present in aloe leaf extract, latex into breast milk.
Digestive disorders: prohibited
Due to the irritating effect of anthranoids, aloe latex is contraindicated in individuals with acute intestinal inflammation (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), ulcers, or suffering from abdominal pain, undiagnosed nausea, and vomiting.
Renal insufficiency: prohibited
Theoretically, oral intake of aloe latex may cause an electrolyte imbalance and worsen renal disorders.
Hemorrhoids: prohibited
Aloe latex is contraindicated in hemorrhoids due to the risk of stenosis, thrombosis, and prolapse.
