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Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis Mill. (syn. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.)

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill. (syn. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.)) is a plant drug, from the Asphodelaceae family. WHO Monograph exists in WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 1 (Aloe Vera; Aloe Vera Gel).

Key facts
Botanical nameAloe barbadensis Mill. (syn. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.)
Currently accepted nameAloe vera (L.) Burm.f., the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use
FamilyAsphodelaceae
OrderAsparagales
Also known asAloe Vera, Aloe barbadensis Mill. (syn. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.), AloeVera
Pharmacopoeia statusWHO Monograph exists in WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 1 (Aloe Vera; Aloe Vera Gel). European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published assessment reports and herbal monographs on Aloe barbadensis Mill. addressing both gel and latex preparations. Listed in multiple national pharmacopoeias including USP, BP, and Indian Pharmacopoeia.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2777729 · Wikidata Q50826551 · NCBI Taxonomy 34199

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2006 to 2024, 11 with a DOI.

  • 2Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 10Other clinical studies and reviews

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
Englishaloe vera
Latin/BotanicalAloe barbadensis Mill. (syn. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.)

How does it work?

  • Acemannan (primary bioactive polysaccharide) activates innate immune cells (macrophages, dendritic cells) producing IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha, colony-stimulating factors, and stem cell factors.
  • Acemannan induces IL-12 release, triggering natural killer cell activation and T cell proliferation/activation (adaptive immune response).
  • Breakage of acemannan chains into smaller fragments enhances biological effects; fragments boost vaccine efficacy via mannose receptor agonism of macrophages/dendritic cells.
  • Wound healing: activated macrophage cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha) promote robust fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis.
  • Acemannan/chitosan combinations accelerate wound closure by promoting granular tissue formation.
  • Aloe-emodin and other anthraquinones exhibit antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on cancer cell lines.
  • Barbaloin acts as a stimulant laxative by increasing colonic motility and water/electrolyte secretion.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • 48 known moderate drug interactions documented (Drugs.com interaction checker).
  • Hepatotoxicity concern: NIH LiverTox rates oral aloe vera a likely but rare cause of clinically apparent liver injury, on about a dozen published cases, none fatal (Bottenberg 2007; Yang 2010).
  • Alkaloids in aloe vera enhance hepatic enzymes and alcohol dehydrogenase activity, potentially interfering with detoxification mechanisms.
  • Oral ingestion associated with diarrhea, hypokalemia, pseudomelanosis coli, and kidney failure.
  • Topical use may cause phototoxicity and hypersensitive reactions in susceptible individuals.
  • Anthraquinone-containing latex (aloin) is a potent laxative; chronic use may cause electrolyte imbalance and dependency.
  • Herbal/dietary supplements implicated in 19% of drug-induced acute liver failure cases; Aloe vera is among recognized causes.
  • Avoid during pregnancy (potential uterine stimulant effects) and breastfeeding.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh gel juice), Kumari Asava (fermented preparation), Capsule (freeze-dried gel), Tablet, Topical gel, Ghrita (medicated ghee), Churna (dried powder)

Standard Dosage: 15-30ml fresh juice twice daily; 15-30ml Kumaryasava after meals; 300-500mg dried extract capsule; topical gel application as needed

Optimal Timing: Fresh juice traditionally taken early morning on an empty stomach. Kumaryasava after meals. Topical gel as needed. Avoid during pregnancy (uterine stimulant effect of anthraquinones).

Storage: Fresh gel: refrigerated 2-8°C, use within 48 hours. Dried extracts: cool, dry place below 25°C, airtight containers. Liquid products: avoid direct sunlight, store below 25°C. Kumaryasava: room temperature in amber glass.

Marker Compounds: Acemannan, Aloin A (barbaloin), Aloin B (isobarbaloin), Aloe-emodin, Aloesin, Beta-sitosterol, Glucomannans

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Haridra (turmeric) traditionally combined for wound care and inflammation
  • With Guduchi in Kumaryasava, traditionally used for liver and uterine health
  • With Shatavari for female reproductive health
  • With Ghrita (ghee) for Pitta pacification and internal lubrication
  • With Amalaki, a traditional combination in digestive formulations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2

  1. Jotic A, Savic Vujovic K, Cirkovic A and others. 2024. Antibiofilm Effects of Novel Compounds in Otitis Media Treatment: Systematic ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39684553 · doi:10.3390/ijms252312841
  2. Sadoyu S, Rungruang C, Wattanavijitkul T and others. 2021. Aloe vera and health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysesPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 32924222 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6833

Other clinical studies and reviews10

  1. Catalano A, Ceramella J, Iacopetta D and others. 2024. Aloe vera-An Extensive Review Focused on Recent StudiesFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38998660 · doi:10.3390/foods13132155
  2. Kaur S, Bains K. 2024. Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera)International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition. PMID 37915246 · doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000797
  3. Majumder R, Das CK, Mandal M. 2019. Lead bioactive compounds of Aloe vera as potential anticancer agentPharmacological research. PMID 31470079 · doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104416
  4. Rahman S, Carter P, Bhattarai N. 2017. Aloe Vera for Tissue Engineering ApplicationsJournal of functional biomaterials. PMID 28216559 · doi:10.3390/jfb8010006
  5. Zhou YX, Xia W, Yue W and others. 2015. Rhein: A Review of Pharmacological ActivitiesEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 26185519 · doi:10.1155/2015/578107
  6. Gupta N, Bhat M, Devi P and others. 2010. Aloe-Vera: A Nature's Gift to ChildrenInternational journal of clinical pediatric dentistry. PMID 27507917 · doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1059
  7. 2007. Final report on the safety assessment of AloeAndongensis Extract, Aloe Andongensis Leaf Juice,aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Juice, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Protoplasts, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice,aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice, and Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice ExtractInternational journal of toxicology. PMID 17613130 · doi:10.1080/10915810701351186
  8. 2006. Aloe PMID 30000889
  9. Dal'Belo SE, Gaspar LR, Maia Campos PM. 2006. Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniquesSkin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI). PMID 17026654 · doi:10.1111/j.0909-752X.2006.00155.x
  10. Boudreau MD, Beland FA. 2006. An evaluation of the biological and toxicological properties of Aloe barbadensis (miller), Aloe veraJournal of environmental science and health. Part C, Environmental carcinogenesis & ecotoxicology reviews. PMID 16690538 · doi:10.1080/10590500600614303

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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