Aloe AL-o

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Aloe africana, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe capensis, Aloe arborescens natelenis, Aloe ferox, aloe vera, burn plant, cape aloe, elephant's gall, lily of the desert, miracle plant, aloe leaf gel, aloe perfoliate, aloe perryi, aloe spicata, aloe juice, aloe latex, aloe sap

What is aloe?

Aloe vera is a common houseplant. It is a member of the lily family that grows to 15 to 20 inches tall. The leaves are greenish gray. They contain a greenish, almost clear sap. Aloe juice (also called aloe latex) comes from just under the plant's skin. Aloe gel is the clear gel obtained from the inner part of the leaf.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

Aloe gel has been used on the skin to:

• reduce the pain and swelling of burns and sunburns
• improve the symptoms of genital herpes, cold sores, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
• help heal wounds and frostbite.

Aloe gel has been taken by mouth to treat:

• arthritis
• asthma
• diabetes
• inflammatory bowel disease
• itching
• seizures
• stomach ulcers

Aloe juice has been used to relieve constipation. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that aloe be removed from laxative products because evidence has not shown it to be safe or effective.

The FDA does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Aloe gel may be obtained fresh from an aloe plant. You can buy aloe in the forms of capsules, tablets, juice, gel, ointment, cream, and lotion. Check the label on the package for the specific dose. Aloe is included in some cosmetic and skin care products.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Aloe gel appears to be safe when used on the skin or taken by mouth. Do not take aloe juice by mouth if you have:

• a heart condition
• a stomach ulcer
• an allergy to garlic, onions, or tulips
• abdominal pain
• any intestinal disease
• Crohn's disease
• hemorrhoids
• kidney problems
• stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
• ulcerative colitis

Diabetics: This remedy, if taken by mouth, may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Long-term use of aloe juice can cause diarrhea, kidney problems and blood in the urine, low potassium, muscle weakness, weight loss, and heart disturbances. Taking 1 gram per day for several days can be fatal.

Aloe juice may decrease how much medicine your body absorbs. Taking other medicines at the same time as the aloe juice may decrease the effectiveness of other medicines.

Do not give aloe juice to children under 12 years of age.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this remedy.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may be contaminated. They may have different strengths and effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious: Muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, swelling in your legs and ankles, bloody diarrhea, blood in the urine, trouble urinating, weight loss.

Other: Stomach cramps, itching, redness, rash.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking aloe by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• diabetes medicines such as glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), repaglinide (Prandin), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics (water pills) such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), torsemide (Demadex), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
• natural remedies such as bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, horse chestnut, garlic, motherwort, lily of the valley root, oleander leaf, buckthorn, cascara bark, ginseng, ginger, fenugreek, horsetail, senna, uva ursi, licorice, juniper, yellow dock root, rhubarb, and willow bark
• laxatives such as senna, cascara, castor oil, and bisacodyl (Dulcolax) (Do not take these laxatives if you are taking aloe by mouth.)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.