Aloe Vera
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A. vera
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A Brief History of Aloe Aloe is an ancient medicinal tool popularized for its health benefits. Its historical value and uses have been immortalized by the very murals and paintings of aloe vera plants and leaves.
Resilient to most pests and easy to grow, historical figures such as Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus are known to have traveled with medicinal aloe to treat their wounded men. |
In fact, aloe use has been documented for a very long time in Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan, and China. The queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra even used aloe vera gel in their beauty products (4).
What Is Aloe? Aloe vera is a shrub in the Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family. It looks like a cactus, in fact, many mistake aloe for cacti. However, aloe is not a cactus (4).
There are not only 5 species, or 240 species, but 550+ species of the genus aloe. You can find a full report of the accepted and rejected aloe plants as listed by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (2). However, Wikipedia has made a complete list of 550+ "accepted" species of aloe (3). DNA testing of common and modern-day aloe found one species in particular, A. perryi, a breed native to Yemen, to have more DNA matches than other species. Similar studies suggest that aloe may originally be from the areas now known as Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan (1)(5). |
Why So Many Species? There are many species of aloe on this planet, probably for multiple reasons:
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How Aloe Benefits The Skin
SKIN REPAIR
The Indian Journal of Dermatology wrote a short review on aloe in 2008. In their review, they cover a lot of information (click here for the full review) (7)(8)(9). Aloe is a complex plant. It "contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids" (4).
The IJD writes that the increased sugars and hormones found within aloe respond well to growth factor receptors of the fibroblast (4).
A dermal fibroblast is a specific cell type located within the dermis layer of the skin. These cells generate connective tissues in the dermis, connective tissues that are essential to repairing damaged skin.
The IJD writes that the increased sugars and hormones found within aloe respond well to growth factor receptors of the fibroblast (4).
A dermal fibroblast is a specific cell type located within the dermis layer of the skin. These cells generate connective tissues in the dermis, connective tissues that are essential to repairing damaged skin.
In 2016 a study on the "Effects of Aloe Sterol Supplementation on Skin Elasticity, Hydration, and Collagen Score" was conducted by the Functional Food Ingredients Department of the Food Ingredients and Technology Institute in Zama City, Japan.
"Our previous study confirmed that Aloe sterol stimulates collagen and hyaluronic acid production in human dermal fibroblasts. This study aims to investigate whether Aloe sterol intake affects skin conditions." - FFID (6)
After 12-weeks they found that continued ingestion of an aloe supplement contributed to healthy skin.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
- The nutrients and chemical properties found within the aloe leaf promote cell growth and contribute to skin health
ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIVIRAL Properties
The Indian Journal of Dermatology said that from their research about the antimicrobial properties of aloe vera:
"Antiseptic effect: Aloe vera contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur. They all have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses." (4)
The IJD also says that the aloe vera plant has antiviral activity possibly due to a chemical constituent found in Aloe vera specifies called aloin.
"These actions may be due to indirect or direct effects. Indirect effect is due to stimulation of the immune system and direct effect is due to anthraquinones. The anthraquinone aloin inactivates various enveloped viruses such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster and influenza." - IJD (4)(10).
Some species of aloe have more aloin than other species. In fact, aloin is what makes the juice of an aloe vera plant yellow. So the more yellow the juice, the more aloin contained in the plant.
This is interesting because in my research I have found that some species of aloe are more medicinal than other species. Those "said" species coincidentally are the same species that are known to contain more aloin than your typical aloe vera shrub (Aloe perryi, A. barbadensis, A. ferox, and hybrids of A. ferox with A. africana and A. spicata) (11)
Conclusion:
However, Is It Safe To Ingest (Drink) Aloe Vera? Keep reading to find out!
This is interesting because in my research I have found that some species of aloe are more medicinal than other species. Those "said" species coincidentally are the same species that are known to contain more aloin than your typical aloe vera shrub (Aloe perryi, A. barbadensis, A. ferox, and hybrids of A. ferox with A. africana and A. spicata) (11)
Conclusion:
- These studies support the claim that aloe contains antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
However, Is It Safe To Ingest (Drink) Aloe Vera? Keep reading to find out!
INFLAMMATION AND BURNS
Have you heard of the cyclooxygenase pathway? Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that is responsible for pain and inflammation (12). A study in 1996 by the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Texas at San Antonio was able to isolate a new anti-inflammatory agent from Aloe barbadensis (13).
"A new anti-inflammatory agent identified as 8-[C-beta-D-[2-O-(E)-cinnamoyl]glucopyranosyl]-2- [(R)-2-hydroxypropyl]-7-methoxy-5-methylchromone (1) has been isolated from Aloe barbadensis Miller. At a dose of 200 microg/mouse ear, 1 exhibited topical antiinflammatory activity equivalent to 200 microg/ear of hydrocortisone." (13)
Like the popular drug, Aspirin, Aloe vera is also cyclooxygenase inhibitor. The Department of Pharmacology found that aloe inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway but also "reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid" (4)(13).
In another study addressing Aloe vera's effect on burns, both Medical-Surgical Groups from the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Tehran and Bandar Abbas, Iran, conducted a "randomized clinical trial and the sampling method was used based on pre-defined inclusion criteria" (14)
"One part of the burned area was dressed using ointment nitrofurazone 2% (according to routine care in the hospital) and the symmetry part was dressed using Aloe Vera gel." (14)
Their result:
"In patients treated with Aloe Vera gel, epithelialization and granulation tissue of burn wounds were remarkably earlier than those patients treated with nitrofurazone 2% (P<0.05)." (14)
Epithelialization is a step within the process that occurs to develop new skin tissue during wound healing.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
- Aloe vera inhibits inflammation and positively effects the epithelialization (growth) of skin tissue during wound healing.
Is It Safe To Ingest (Drink) Aloe Juice?
This is an important question. From my studies in herbal medicine, I know that some plants and herbs should be ingested with caution. Some plants, such as arnica montana, are toxic to livestock, and can cause liver complications to humans if ingested at concentrated levels over time.
A clove can contain anywhere from 80%-90% eugenol oil. Eugenol is an amazing chemical for health and hygiene, but can be toxic to children and should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
When it comes to aloe vera, I have always been hesitant to ingest the plant. This is for several reasons. For one, I have grown many aloe plants and have experienced many different colors and "potencies" of aloe vera gel. Some that are definitely more appetizing than others. Aloe plants that I have purchased from the store or apothecary can have nutrient-heavy soil and as a result, their aloe gel is a rich yellow color and has a very potent aroma.
On the other hand, I have grown organic aloe that have also produced rich, yellow gel from the leaf.
So what makes aloe gel (or juice) yellow? The yellow hue and potent aroma look to be related to an increased presence of a chemical called aloin. Aloin, which can be found in all aloe plants, has been found in great strength in a select few species: specifically a. ferox, and hybrids of a. ferox (11).
Well, it just so happens that in 2002 the FDA declared aloe vera laxatives, aloe vera extracts and flower products, and aloin-containing products in general as not GRAS (not generally recognized as safe)(15). However, aloe and aloin continue to be allowed in supplements.
Which brings us to the question at hand: is aloe vera safe to ingest?
The FDA claims that aloe may be a carcinogen and requires further testing:
A clove can contain anywhere from 80%-90% eugenol oil. Eugenol is an amazing chemical for health and hygiene, but can be toxic to children and should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
When it comes to aloe vera, I have always been hesitant to ingest the plant. This is for several reasons. For one, I have grown many aloe plants and have experienced many different colors and "potencies" of aloe vera gel. Some that are definitely more appetizing than others. Aloe plants that I have purchased from the store or apothecary can have nutrient-heavy soil and as a result, their aloe gel is a rich yellow color and has a very potent aroma.
On the other hand, I have grown organic aloe that have also produced rich, yellow gel from the leaf.
So what makes aloe gel (or juice) yellow? The yellow hue and potent aroma look to be related to an increased presence of a chemical called aloin. Aloin, which can be found in all aloe plants, has been found in great strength in a select few species: specifically a. ferox, and hybrids of a. ferox (11).
Well, it just so happens that in 2002 the FDA declared aloe vera laxatives, aloe vera extracts and flower products, and aloin-containing products in general as not GRAS (not generally recognized as safe)(15). However, aloe and aloin continue to be allowed in supplements.
Which brings us to the question at hand: is aloe vera safe to ingest?
The FDA claims that aloe may be a carcinogen and requires further testing:
"The agency requested mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity data on aloe and cascara sagrada ingredients and carcinogenicity data on bisacodyl and senna" (15). - Food and Drug Administration
Conclusion:
If I were to ingest aloe vera, I would do it in this specific manner:
*it is not recommended that you ingest aloe vera if you are pregnant or nursing* (16)
If I were to ingest aloe vera, I would do it in this specific manner:
- Grow the right species of aloe (one that will not yield high aloin, aka not yellow juice)
- Grow organically with no excessive nutrients or chemicals
*it is not recommended that you ingest aloe vera if you are pregnant or nursing* (16)
How To Extract Aloe Vera
Use In Creams Or Add Juice To Drinks
Works Cited:
1) Darokar MP, Rai R, Gupta AK, Shasany AK, Rajkumar S, Sunderasan V, Khanuja SP (2003). "Molecular assessment of germplasm diversity in Aloe spp. using RAPD and AFLP analysis". J Med. Arom. Plant Sci. 25 (2): 354–361.
2) World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do
3) List of Aloe species. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Aloe_species
4) ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
5) Phylogenetic Relationships in Asphodelaceae (Subfamily Alooideae) Inferred from Chloroplast DNA Sequences (rbcL, matK) and from Genomic Fingerprinting (ISSR). http://www.jstor.org/stable/3647389?origin=crossref&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
6) Effects of Aloe Sterol Supplementation on Skin Elasticity, Hydration, and Collagen Score: A 12-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28088806
7) Atherton P. Aloe vera revisited. Br J Phytother. 1998;4:76–83.
8) Shelton M. Aloe vera, its chemical and therapeutic properties. Int J Dermatol. 1991;30:679–83.[PubMed] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1823544
9) Atherton P. The essential Aloe vera: The actions and the evidence. 2nd ed 1997.
10) Inactivation of enveloped viruses by anthraquinones extracted from plants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1810179
11) Aloin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloin
12) Cyclooxygenase. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclooxygenase
13) Antiinflammatory C-glucosyl chromone from Aloe barbadensis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8778246
14) Comparison of the Effect of Aloe Vera Gel and Nitrofurazone 2% on Epithelialization and Granulation Tissue Formation Regarding Superficial Second-Degree Burns. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27516662
15) 21 CFR Part 310. Status of Certain Additional Over-the-Counter Drug Category II and III Active Ingredients. https://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/98fr/050902a.htm
16) Chapter 3Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
2) World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do
3) List of Aloe species. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Aloe_species
4) ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
5) Phylogenetic Relationships in Asphodelaceae (Subfamily Alooideae) Inferred from Chloroplast DNA Sequences (rbcL, matK) and from Genomic Fingerprinting (ISSR). http://www.jstor.org/stable/3647389?origin=crossref&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
6) Effects of Aloe Sterol Supplementation on Skin Elasticity, Hydration, and Collagen Score: A 12-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28088806
7) Atherton P. Aloe vera revisited. Br J Phytother. 1998;4:76–83.
8) Shelton M. Aloe vera, its chemical and therapeutic properties. Int J Dermatol. 1991;30:679–83.[PubMed] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1823544
9) Atherton P. The essential Aloe vera: The actions and the evidence. 2nd ed 1997.
10) Inactivation of enveloped viruses by anthraquinones extracted from plants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1810179
11) Aloin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloin
12) Cyclooxygenase. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclooxygenase
13) Antiinflammatory C-glucosyl chromone from Aloe barbadensis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8778246
14) Comparison of the Effect of Aloe Vera Gel and Nitrofurazone 2% on Epithelialization and Granulation Tissue Formation Regarding Superficial Second-Degree Burns. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27516662
15) 21 CFR Part 310. Status of Certain Additional Over-the-Counter Drug Category II and III Active Ingredients. https://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/98fr/050902a.htm
16) Chapter 3Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/