What Is Aloe Vera?

by Carrie Aker

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that most believe originated in Africa’s arid climate. Today, aloe is a common ingredient in many cosmetic products and foods. While the scientific evidence is mixed, many people claim that aloe has healing properties. The Internet is a common place to find many of the claims as to the healing properties of Aloe, and many marketing groups have perpetuated this belief with little regard for scientific proof.

Aloe Vera is commonly used as a treatment for sunburns, and some trust aloe to shrink warts, treat skin infections or rashes, aid in the healing of cuts and blisters, and even treat athlete’s foot. The supposed benefits of aloe are endless, but the science doesn’t necessarily back up the claims of many users.

Once mainly reduced to topical skin care use, Aloe Vera has gained popular as drinkable juice, as well, purported to help treat diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and osteoarthritis. Aloe Vera also has properties that make it a supposedly strong laxative. As recently as 2002, Aloe Vera based laxatives were sold regularly in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration eventually pulled all laxatives containing Aloe Vera from the market because the manufacturers did not provide the required safety data.

Early studies have shown that Aloe Vera does aid in the healing of burns and minor cuts, but it also found that for deeper surgical wounds, Aloe Vera appeared to inhibit healing. Aloe Vera also does not help prevent burns from radiation treatment as some once though. There is not enough definitive evidence to support any of the other Aloe Vera usage claims.

You will often find Aloe Vera as an active ingredient in lotions and body washes, but the power of this ingredient in these products in not typically tested. As of yet, there is no science to prove that having this ingredient in your moisturizer or your body wash will add to the effectiveness of the skin care product. Also, when purchasing Aloe Vera gel for the treatment of sunburns, it is best if you can buy pure Aloe Vera gel that does not contain alcohol. The alcohol will dry out the skin and counteract the effectiveness of the Aloe Vera in the treatment of the sunburn.

Overall, the effectiveness of Aloe Vera is in the eye of the beholder. If you feel that it works for you then continue to use it. There is no harm in continuing use of Aloe Vera products, as there is very little risk of any side effects associated with the ingredient. The main point is, there is little indication of its helpfulness, either.

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