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Open Source Apothecary At Home / The herbs
Two different medicines in one plant, and only one of them should go on your skin. — Aloe vera
remedyAloe vera contains two distinct preparations and confusing them is the main mistake.
The inner gel — the clear mucilage in the centre of the leaf — is a soothing topical for minor burns, sunburn and irritated skin. It has randomised trial evidence in burn healing and in radiation-induced skin reactions, and it is one of the better-evidenced topical plant preparations in this handbook. It is also a laxative if eaten in quantity.
The latex or "aloin" layer — the yellow sap just under the rind — is a stimulant laxative (aloin, an anthraquinone) and is the reason whole-leaf aloe juice causes cramping and diarrhoea. Oral aloe latex is a genuine purgative and is not a casual supplement, and long-term anthraquinone laxative use is associated with dependence and electrolyte problems. In 2002 the US removed aloe laxative ingredients from the market over insufficient safety data.
So: gel on the skin, gel in a drink sparingly, latex not at all as a casual remedy.
Growing it is easy and it is the right plant for a windowsill — bright light, gritty free-draining soil, water sparingly. Overwatering kills more aloe than cold does.
Burn injuries cause severe pain, infection risks, psychological distress, financial burdens, and mortality, necessitating effective care.PubMed 38605441 ↗
Finally, this review provides information about the response to abiotic stress in major European crop plants-wheat, sugar beet, maize, potatoes, barley, sunflowers, grapes, rapeseed, tomatoes, and apples.PubMed 37047573 ↗
Topical aloe vera usage for second-degree burn wound healing demonstrated significantly faster time to healing compared with other treatments.PubMed 36264753 ↗
AV might have beneficial effects in reducing pain scores and the severity of mucocutaneous problems compared with placebo, especially with limited mild to moderate adverse effects.PubMed 33336470 ↗
It was often uncertain whether antiseptics were associated with any difference in healing, infections, or other outcomes.PubMed 28700086 ↗
| | | |---|---| | Life | Succulent perennial | | Propagation | Offsets ("pups") — the easy route | | Light | Bright light; a south windowsill is ideal | | Soil | Gritty, free draining — cactus mix | | Water | Sparingly. Let it dry out between waterings | | Hardiness | Not winter hardy here — bring it in | | Harvest | Cut outer leaves at the base; use the gel fresh |
Overwatering is the main killer. Keep it above about 5 C, in a pot with drainage, and ignore it more than you think.
Topical gel — cut an outer leaf, stand it cut-end down for 10 minutes to drain the yellow latex, then split and apply the clear gel directly.
Draining the latex first matters — it is the irritant and laxative part.
After sunburn or a minor burn — apply fresh gel, repeatedly. The trial evidence is for topical burn use.
Preserving gel — blend with a little vitamin C or vitamin E and refrigerate; use within a week.
Juice — use inner-gel juice, not whole-leaf. Check the label; whole-leaf products contain aloin.
Do not use oral aloe latex as a laxative.