Aloe - The Herb

More information on Aloes - the extract from Aloe

General description and domicile:

There are several species of Aloe and, like most plants their origin is a little confusing. Aloe vera and Aloe chinensis are the prime sub species of a group known as Barbados Aloes (Aloe barbadensis). Interestingly enough they are hardly grown in Barbados and mostly come from Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire.

The Cape aloes (Aloe capensis) from South Africa do not contain as much anthraquinone glucosides (collectively known as Aloins) and no isobarbaloin (a hydroxaloin isomer).

Socotrine aloes (Aloe perryi) is prepared on the island of Socotra but the bulk of the product known as Socotrine aloe is actually produced in Africa.

The above are the three main varieties of Aloe but there are many others that come on to the market from time to time. These include rare aloes like the Mocha Aloe, which is black, and the Uganda aloes, which does not come from Uganda at all - it is made in South Africa, near Cape Town.

The aloe plant is a succulent that is native to Africa. They have long fleshy leaves that taper to a point. The flowers are somewhat nondescript being a spike of red/pink fleshy blooms. The plant is perennial, can be quite substantial (forty to fifty feet tall is not abnormal in some species) and is normally left to an age of three years before harvesting the leaves.

The fleshy leaves, widest and thickest at the trunk, are cut as close to the trunk as possible (without damaging the trunk) and then placed, cut end down, in racks to drain the juice from the leaves. The juice is then evaporated (by just leaving it over time or by helping it along by heating it in pots) to form a solid or semisolid substance, which is then sold.

This solidified aloe juice is called "aloe" (still confusing!) and is the base from which the remedy is made. At least 50% of this substance should dissolve in water, if not it has either not been prepared properly or it has been adulterated with another substance
 

Remedy Profile
Major therapeutic effects:

Internal consumption of Aloe is mostly as a laxative. It is a stimulant laxative that is only recommended for occasional, infrequent constipation as there are strong indications that it becomes habit forming - causing constipation whenever treatments ceases.

The anthraquinone glucosides are not absorbed in the upper gastro tract and only breaks down in the colon to aglycones, which induce the secretion of water and inhibits the absorption of water by the colon. The effect is cathartic, causing violent diarrhea.

Aloe is such a violent purgative that it has been ruled as not for sale over the counter by the US FDA.

Aloe Vera Gel, which is a skin emollient, claimed to be responsible for the beauty of Cleopatra, is a different product that is harvested quite differently from the same plant. This gel is found in the central parts of the leaf and it will not drain out through gravity. This gel has to be expressed. It is highly regarded as a soothing balm for sunburn but can also be applied to mild abrasions and thermal burns.

Minor therapeutic effects:
These are differentiated from the major therapeutic effects of Aloe for two reasons: either the constituent that causes the effect is relatively weak (in other words marginal efficacy) or the constituent causing the effect is present in Aloe but in such small quantities that it is too low in dosage. Not all herbs have secondary or minor effects.

There are some reports of anti-cancer activity.

It is also claimed that aloe lowers blood sugar and that it inhibits the formation of histamine which may make it useful to control allergic reactions.

Unfortunately the dosage needed to achieve these minor therapeutic effects will cause extreme diarrhea.

How to choose the right remedy/Herb:
In many cases there are several herbal remedies to choose from. This can be very confusing. Our Choose the Herbal Remedy page explains how to refine your choice

Cultivation of Aloe:
Providing you live in a tropical or subtropical area cultivating an aloe is a simple matter of placing a freshly cut leaf in the ground and a year or so later you will have a sizeable plant.

If you have any more than the mildest frost in winter the only option is to grow your aloe inside or in a glass hot house. Aloes can stand virtually anything but cold.

Part used:
The sap of the leaves that has been evaporated to form a semisolid.
 

Remedy preparation:
As above

Contra-indications:
Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should not use aloe.
Do not use if you have or suspect that you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney disorders varicose veins or hemorrhoids.
Do not use for chronic constipation.
Do not use if you suffer from any disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Do not use if experiencing abdominal pain.
Do not give to children under 12 years of age.
Do not use for more than eight days of treatment,
Cease administration of aloe if it causes abdominal pain.

Properties:
Cathartic
Emollient


Constituents:

Anthraquinones: Occurring mostly as glycosides anthraquinones are brown to yellow pigments traditionally used as fabric dyes.

In experiments it was concluded that Anthraquinones pass through the digestive tract unaltered until they get to the colon where they are converted to Dianthones which are then turned into anthrone which has a laxative effect increasing peristaltic action and inhibiting the absorption of water by the colon.

Anthraquinones are pale yellow thin prisms that are insoluble in water and has caused tumours in rats that have ingested it.

Anthraquinone can cause skin irritation, dermatitis and allergic reactions if applied to the skin.