Aloe Vera

Latin Name
Aloe vera
Other Common Names
First Aide Plant, Lu Hui (China)
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Herbal Actions (Column)
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What is Aloe?

Aloe is one of the most common household herbal medicines in the world. You’ll find aloe in sunburn gels, topical salves and creams, and in food and beverages.
The primary use of aloe is on the skin for treating burns, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. The herb can also be used internally, but only under the guidance of a skilled naturopath or herbalist. Aloe is a potent demulcent and laxative for the digestive tract (in therapeutic doses), used for constipation irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcers, and other inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract.
Aloe vera and Aloe barbadensis are the two most common medicinal species, but there are over 500 separate species in the Aloe genus.
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Herbal Actions of Aloe

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antiviral
  • Emollient
  • Immunomodulator
  • Demulcent
  • Anti-tumor
  • Hypocholesterolemic
  • Vulnerary