Aloe Vera, Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis

Aloe is a succulent plant that originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows in hot, dry climates all around the world. It has been used historically as a treatment for skin conditions and for wound healing.

Uses: Acne, Burns, Psoriasis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis

Summary of Clinical Evidence

🌿 Aloe Vera: Soothing Relief for Gut and Skin

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is best known for cooling sunburns, but research shows it may also help with gut inflammation and skin repair. This ancient plant has been used for thousands of years — from Egypt and Greece to China — for treating wounds, digestive issues, and skin irritation.

🩺 Aloe Vera for Ulcerative Colitis

A clinical trial tested whether drinking aloe vera gel could help people with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Participants took 100 mL of aloe vera gel or placebo twice daily for four weeks.

47% of aloe users improved, compared to 14% on placebo.
30% went into full remission, meaning no symptoms.
Aloe reduced inflammation in the gut lining under the microscope.
No serious side effects were reported.

This suggests that aloe vera may help calm gut inflammation and improve digestive symptoms naturally.

🩹 Aloe Vera for Wound Healing

Another study looked at using aloe vera gel on donor sites for skin grafts. These are painful open wounds left after skin is taken to heal another area. Aloe vera helped these wounds heal faster:

Healing time was about 2 days shorter with aloe vera compared to placebo.
Pain levels were similar in both groups.

Other studies on burn wounds also support aloe’s reputation for speeding skin recovery, though its effect on pain is less consistent.

Quick Facts:
✔️ May reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis
✔️ Helps skin wounds and burns heal faster
✔️ No major side effects in short-term use
⚠️ Only use food-grade aloe for internal use

✅ Bottom Line

Aloe vera shows real promise for natural support in gut and skin healing. It may help people with colitis go into remission, and it speeds up wound recovery on the skin. While it may not relieve pain, its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties make it a gentle, effective herb for internal or external healing — when used properly.

Categories: Jams & Honeys, Organic Foods Tags: breakfast, natural, organic

Description

Indications/Uses

Topical application of Aloe-based gel may improve various skin conditions including acne, burns, psoriasis. Oral doses of aloe vera also helps irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

Contraindications/Precautions

Topical use is well tolerated, however oral use of aloe latex may cause cramps and may interact with digoxin

Preparation & Dosing

Recommended topical use is directly from freshly cut leaves applied directly to the skin on acne, cuts, burns and other skin irritations. A small strip of exposed aloe pulp can be held in place using a band aid over affected area. Alternatively the Gel or Lotion is available as a moisturizer and hydratant. Oral doses in capsules or in a liquid formulation can be taken for IBS and ulcerative colitis.

Additional information

Published Study 1	Fifi AC, Axelrod CH, Chakraborty P, Saps M. Herbs and Spices in the Treatment of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Review of Clinical Trials. Nutrients. 2018 Nov 9;10(11):1715. doi: 10.3390/nu10111715. PMID: 30423929; PMCID: PMC6266883. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30423929/
Published Study 2	Long V. Aloe vera in dermatology—the plant of immortality. JAMA Dermatology. 2016;152(12):1364. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2588549
Published Study 3	Burusapat C, Supawan M, Pruksapong C, Pitiseree A, Suwantemee C. Topical Aloe Vera Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial and Systematic Review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Jul;142(1):217-226. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000004515. PMID: 29649056. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29649056/
Published Study 4	Langmead L, Feakins RM, Goldthorpe S, Holt H, Tsironi E, De Silva A, Jewell DP, Rampton DS. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Apr 1;19(7):739-47. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01902.x. PMID: 15043514. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15043514/

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Aloe Vera, Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis”

Shop