Aloe Vera, Barbados aloe, First Aid Plant, Medicinal Aloe

Aloe vera

Physical Characteristics

Aloe vera is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is not self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitats

South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[105]. Very bitter, they are an emergency food that is only used when all else fails[177]. A gel in the leaves is sometimes used as an ingredient of commercial jellies[183]. Seed[105, 183]. An emergency food used when all else fails[177]. It is very unlikely that the seed will be produced in Britain[238].

Medicinal Uses

Cancer Emmenagogue Emollient Laxative Miscellany Purgative Skin Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Vermifuge Vulnerary Aloe vera is a fairly well known herbal preparation with a long history of use. It is widely used in modern herbal practice and is often available in proprietary herbal preparations[K]. It has two distinct types of medicinal use. The clear gel contained within the leaf makes an excellent treatment for wounds, burns and other skin disorders, placing a protective coat over the affected area, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing the risk of infection[254] [K]. This action is in part due to the presence of aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system[254]. To obtain this gel, the leaves can be cut in half along their length and the inner pulp rubbed over the affected area of skin[K]. This has an immediate soothing effect on all sorts of burns and other skin problems[K]. The second use comes from the yellow sap at the base of the leaf. The leaves are cut transversally at their base and the liquid that exudes from this cut is dried[4]. It is called bitter aloes and contains anthraquinones which are a useful digestive stimulant and a strong laxative[254]. When plants are grown in pots the anthraquinone content is greatly reduced[254]. The plant is emmenagogue, emollient, laxative, purgative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary[4, 21, 46, 57, 61, 165, 176]. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial activity[218]. Apart from its external use on the skin, aloe vera (usually the bitter aloes) is also taken internally in the treatment of chronic constipation, poor appetite, digestive problems etc[238]. It should not be given to pregnant women or people with haemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome[238, 243]. The plant is strongly purgative so great care should be taken over the dosage[238]. The plant is used to test if there is blood in the faeces[61]. This plant has a folk history of treatment in cases of cancer[218]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine approve Aloe vera for constipation (see [302] for critics of commission E). In Chinese medicine it is used for fungal diseases. In Indian medicine it is used for stomach tumours, constipation, colic, skin diseases, amenorrhoea, worm infestation and infections [301]. Chemical Constituents: **Amino acids:** Isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine **Anthraquinones:** Aloe-emodin, aloetic acid, aloin, anthracene, anthranol, barbaloin, chryscophanoic acid, emodin, ester of cinnamic acid, ethereal oil, isobarbaloin, resistannol **Enzymes:** Alkaline phosphatase, amylase, catalase, lipase, oxidase **Minerals:** Calcium, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, sodium, zinc **Prostanoids:** gamma-linolenic acid **Saccharides:** Aldopentose, cellulose, glucose, L-rhamnose, mannose **Vitamins:** Alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, choline, folic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, and E **Other:** Beta-sitosterol, cholesterol, gibberellin, lignins, salicylic acid, steroids, uric acid, triglycerides

Known Hazards

Taken by mouth may cause cramping pain in the gastrointestinal tract and diarrhoea (reduce dose). Skin rashes with long term use of gel. Rare adverse effects are on heart rhythm, kidney damage and oedema. Long term use can cause electrolytes loss esp. potassium and may therefore enhance the effect of drugs that act on the heart (e.g. digoxin) [301].