Common Names: aloe Latin Names: Aloe vera, Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis Background

Topical medication and potential side effects[edit]
Aloe vera may be prepared as a lotion, gel, soap or cosmetics product for use on skin as a topical medication.^[5] For people with allergies to Aloe vera, skin reactions may include contact dermatitis with mild redness and itching, difficulty with breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.^[5][10]
Dietary supplement[edit]
Aloin, a compound found in the semi-liquid latex of some Aloe species, was the common ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products in the United States until 2002 when the Food and Drug Administration banned it because manufacturers failed to provide the necessary safety data.^[7][5][50] Aloe vera has potential toxicity, with side effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested and when applied topically.^[5][10] Although toxicity may be less when aloin is removed by processing, Aloe vera ingested in high amounts may induce side effects, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or hepatitis.^[5][51] Chronic ingestion of aloe (dose of 1 gram per day) may cause adverse effects, including hematuria, weight loss, and cardiac or kidney disorders.^[5]
Aloe vera juice is marketed to support the health of the digestive system, but there is neither scientific evidence nor regulatory approval for this claim.^[7][5][34] The extracts and quantities typically used for such purposes are associated with toxicity in a dose-dependent way.^[5][10]
Traditional medicine[edit]
Aloe vera is used in traditional medicine as a skin treatment. Early records of its use appear from the fourth millennium BCE.^[5] It is also written of in the Juliana Anicia Codex of 512 CE.^[49]: 9
Commodities[edit]
Aloe vera is used on facial tissues where it is promoted as a moisturizer and anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose. Cosmetic companies commonly add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, or shampoos.^[49] A review of academic literature notes that its inclusion in many hygiene products is due to its "moisturizing emollient effect".^[15]
Toxicity[edit]
Orally ingested non-decolorized aloe vera leaf extract was listed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment among "chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity".^[52]
Use of topical aloe vera is not associated with significant side effects.^[7] Oral ingestion of aloe vera is potentially toxic,^[5] and may cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea which in turn can decrease the absorption of drugs.^[7]
Interactions with prescribed drugs[edit]
Ingested aloe products may have adverse interactions with prescription drugs, such as those used to treat blood clots, diabetes, heart disease and potassium-lowering agents (such as Digoxin), and diuretics, among others.^[34]