Just Put Some Aloe On It
Have you ever burned your hand in the kitchen or lighting a candle? Of course, you have. It’s a common occurrence especially when you’re younger and your curiosity is at its peak.
When I was younger and I burned myself, my mom would send me outside to take a piece of aloe and rub the clear goo on it. I felt instant cooling relief. Now as I get older, I wonder if that’s the only use for aloe? Is Aloe vera only useful in treating household burns?
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a cactus-like evergreen plant originating from mainly tropical, hot, dry climates. The most useful part of the plant is the leaves in which the gel is found inside. Aloe vera has been known to be used medically since ancient times in China and Egypt.
How does Aloe work and is it safe?
Some of the pharmacological effects of aloe include anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antibacterial, and hypoglycemic effects.
Aloe is typically safe to use with minimal minor side effects. Typically, if taken orally people do not experience side effects.
Aloe latex has different side effects when consumed orally including weight loss, heart disturbance, and decrease in potassium. Topically some people have had burning, itching, eczema, and erythema.
What’s the difference between Aloe gel and latex?
Not only are the side effects different for Aloe gel and latex, but they are also used to treat different things. Aloe gel and latex aren’t interchangeable.
Aloe gel is used in a variety of things, but aloe latex was mostly used in treating constipation. Aloe latex was taken off the market in 2002 by the FDA due to safety concerns.
What can Aloe be used to treat?
The traditional use for Aloe in treating burns has basis. Research has shown that applying aloe gel/cream twice daily reduces healing time for superficial burns compared to placebo.
It has also been compared to other traditional medicine such as silver sulfadiazine with similar results with reduced healing time. While Aloe has proven to decrease healing time, it hasn’t shown any effect in reducing pain of a burn.
One surprising benefit to Aloe is its effect as adjunct in improving acne. A study showed that 50% aloe gel used twice daily in combination with topical 0.025% tretinoin cream twice daily after facial cleansing has shown a 35% improvement over the same treatment without aloe in mild to moderate acne.
Aloe has shown a benefit in treating diabetes. Research as shown that aloe can increased good cholesterol (HDL) and decreased bad cholesterol (triglycerides). Not only that other studies have resulted in a reduction in patient’s baseline fasting blood glucose and A1c.
A meta-analysis reviewing 8 clinical trials with a total of 470 patients concluded that aloe has potential in prediabetes/diabetes treatment due to its significant lowering of fasting blood glucose, A1c, HDL, and triglycerides.
While Aloe may have the potential to treat a variety of conditions it still lacks validating evidence. Some examples include canker sores, dry skin, and diaper rash. Aloe as treatment for these conditions shouldn’t be written off but we still lack solid evidence.
Is keeping Aloe in the house easy?
Everyone should have an Aloe plant in house — not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but also can be used for its many benefits. I personally keep mine in the window in my apartment.
Some tips on keeping an aloe plant include:
- keep in a warm environment with sunlight or indirect sunlight
- water every 3 weeks.
Aloe vera has easy upkeep with many possible benefits such as helping with burns, constipation, diabetes, and aiding with acne.
