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ETYMOLOGY
Believed to originate from the greek words “alos” (sea), “olloech” and “alua” (bitter). Also perhaps from the Hebrew “Halat” (bitter), an allusion to the plant’s bitter juice.
BOTANICAL INFORMATION
Family: Aloaceae
Description: Perennial herbaceous plant that flourishes in arid locations.
Habitat: Aloe can be found growing wild throughout the Caribbean. It is however, able to adapt to all types of terrain, even the most arid. The ideal temperature range for its growth is between 20 and 24 degrees centigrade.
Cultivation: Different species of aloe are now cultivated throughout the world, including the Mediterranean (Italy, France, Spain) and Australia. The land used for growing aloe should be a sandy matrix. Aloe may be planted either through cuttings or from seed.
Method of Harvest: The part of the plant harvested are the large outer leaves. Care is taken not to damage the inner, younger leaves, which will be the next season’s harvest.
Parts Utilized: As mentioned, the large leaves are harvested for medicinal use. There are primarily two products derived from the aloe leaves. A mucilaginous gel is obtained from the parenchymal tissue in the center of the leaf. The bitter, yellowish juice is obtained from scraping the upper portion of the leaf (just below the outermost layer) and provides the constituents most often used for internal consumption.
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS
Gel: Polysaccharides
Juice: usually contains 25-40% of both aloine A and B.
MODE OF ACTION
Actions (Gel): For internal use, aloe gel exhibits strongly purifying activity while promoting the elimination of waste and toxins accumulated in the intestines. In addition, the gel is known to provide benefits to the mucosa and bacterial flora of the intestines. It also supports the immune system and is a potent antioxidant. For external use, aloe gel exhibits healing, hydrating, emollient and soothing actions.
Actions (Juice): Due to the presence of aloina, the Aloe juice acts directly on the colon, acting as a laxative. In small doses, the juice is used as a bitter, stomachic, and stimulates biliary secretion.
COMMON INDICATIONS
As a medicinal herb (Gel): Aloe gel is used as an internal and external purifier, as well as a general emollient and anti-inflammatory for the skin. Accordingly, it is widely used in cosmetic treatment creams and cleansers of the face and body for its ability to hydrate and protect skin.
As a medicinal herb (Juice):
The Juice of the plant is used in cases of delayed intestinal transit. In small doses, the juice is also used as a bitter to facilitate biliary and digestive activity.
Traditional Uses:
The gel is traditionally used as an ingredient in preparations for the skin and to promote healing of wounds and burns.
PREPARATION AND USE
Aloe Gel: May be freeze-dried or simply used as a gel.
Aloe Juice: Juice may be concentrarted and orally administered either in liquid or solid presentations.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Aloe has been used as a health remedy since the dawn of time. Egyptian medical writings from the 1500s B.C. recommend it not only as a healer of skin infections and conditions (gel), but also as a laxative (juice). When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BC, he learned of the plant’s extraordinary healing powers and used it as a vulnerary to heal the wounds of his soldiers. He even declared a war for Aloe, sending out an army to conquer an island off of Somalia to take the plant out of the hands of his enemies.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
References
“An evidence-based systematic review of Aloe vera by the natural standard research collaboration.” J Herb Pharmacother.2007;7(3-4):279-323.
“Effectiveness of Aloe vera on the antioxidant status of different tissues in irradiated rats.” Pharmazie. 2003 Dec;58(12):929-31
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