Clay, Soap & Other

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

B Limited clinical evidence

Aloe vera inner-leaf gel may shorten healing time in some burn studies. This entry covers topical use; swallowing yellow aloe latex carries notable risks.

Skin & Hair
Aloe vera – Inner-leaf gel and clear translucent gel in a glass bowl

Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim

PregnancyCaution
BreastfeedingCaution
ChildrenCaution
Drug interactionsNo recorded interactions
⇄ Compare
On this page

At a glance

Aloe vera is a succulent cultivated for the clear gel inside its leaves. This entry addresses topical inner-leaf gel, not the yellow latex or whole-leaf extracts. Trials suggest benefits for some burns, but product formulations and study quality vary.

Parts used: inner-leaf gel
Key constituents: Acemannan (acetylated mannan), Glucomannan

Updated: October 24, 2026

Sources include an EMA HMPC monograph. Its scope is limited to the specified species, plant part and preparation; this is not professional approval.

What is it used for?

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    In some randomized trials, topical preparations containing inner-leaf aloe gel shortened closure time for second-degree burns. A 2024 meta-analysis found an average difference of about 3.8 days, but differing products and quality concerns in an earlier review warrant caution. [3][4]

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    Two small studies suggest a possible additional benefit when aloe gel is combined with conventional acne care. Evidence does not establish it as an effective stand-alone acne approach. [2][9]

  • T Traditional use

    Traditional use: Documents traditional use, not clinical efficacy or safety for everyone.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    Inner-leaf gel is traditionally applied for mild skin irritation and discomfort after sun exposure. Faster healing of sunburn has not been reliably established. [2][10]

How is it used?

Topical

Apply a preparation made specifically for topical use from aloe inner-leaf gel to the skin. Stop if irritation occurs and seek medical assessment for extensive, deep, or serious burns. No standard amount or duration applies to every gel formulation in the reviewed sources.

[2][10][5]

Safety & interactions

⚠ External use only

  • This record concerns clear inner-leaf gel for external use. Yellow latex beneath the rind and whole-leaf extracts differ in composition and risk; do not eat leaf material separated at home.
  • Oral aloe products are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Evidence for topical use in these periods is limited; consult a qualified health professional.
  • When gel has been applied to the nipples, wash it off thoroughly before breastfeeding.
  • Swallowed aloe latex can cause cramps, diarrhea, and potassium loss; risks may increase with digoxin or diuretics. This is not an established interaction of externally applied pure gel.
  • Extracts containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives raise genotoxicity concerns. The IARC possible-carcinogen classification concerns orally consumed whole-leaf extract, not pure gel applied to skin.
  • Some ingested aloe leaf extracts have rarely been linked to liver injury; drinks and supplements should not be equated with topical gel.
  • Get medical care for large or deep burns, burns affecting the face, hands or genitals, or signs of infection; do not replace appropriate care with aloe gel.
[2][5][6][8][9][11][7]

Drug interactions

No recorded interactions

Side effects

  • Topical use has occasionally caused stinging, itching, rash, and allergic contact dermatitis.
  • Oral yellow latex can cause abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, and electrolyte loss; these are not specific effects of topical gel.

⚕ When to see a doctor

  • If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
  • If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
  • If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

Did you know?

Kew lists the Hajar Mountains of northern Oman as the native range of Aloe vera; the species is now cultivated and introduced widely, including in Türkiye. [1]

Frequently asked questions

Does aloe vera gel help burns?

Some controlled trials found shorter healing times with topical aloe preparations for second-degree burns. Better pain relief and benefit for every wound type remain uncertain; serious burns need medical attention.

Can I use aloe vera on my face or for acne?

A topical gel may be used as directed. Small studies suggest possible added benefit alongside conventional acne care; discontinue use if irritation develops.

Can I eat aloe vera or drink aloe juice?

This record covers topical inner-leaf gel only. Swallowing yellow latex or whole-leaf extracts can cause diarrhea, electrolyte disturbances, and other risks; commercially sold drinks are not automatically risk-free.

Is aloe vera safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Oral use is not recommended. Seek individualized advice for skin application, and wash any nipple-applied gel off before nursing.

Are aloe gel and aloe latex the same?

No. The clear gel comes from within the leaf, whereas the yellow latex is collected beneath the rind and contains anthranoids with laxative activity.

Does aloe vera make hair grow faster?

There is not enough reliable clinical evidence to present faster hair growth as an established benefit.

Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

  1. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Plants of the World Online · 2026 · Reference bookSource accessed:
  2. Aloe Vera: Usefulness and SafetyNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · 2025 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  3. Effects of Aloe vera on Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsJournal of Burn Care & Research · 2024 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
  4. Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic woundsCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2021 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
  5. AloeNIH Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) · 2024 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  6. EFSA confirms health concerns for hydroxyanthracene derivatives in foodEuropean Food Safety Authority · 2018 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  7. Aloes folii succus siccatus - herbal medicinal productEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA/HMPC) · 2017 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  8. Aloe VeraNIH LiverTox · 2022 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  9. AloeMayo Clinic · 2025 · ReviewSource accessed:
  10. Aloe vera and the skinDermNet New Zealand · 2021 · ReviewSource accessed:
  11. Some Drugs and Herbal Products: Evaluation — Aloe veraIARC Monographs Volume 108 · 2016 · MonographSource accessed:

Cite This Page

Aloe Vera (Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/aloe-vera/

Related guides and comparisons

Other herbs in the same preparation form (Clay, Soap & Other)

Clay, Soap & Other →
Arnica – Clay, Soap & Other
⚠ External use only

Arnica

B Limited clinical evidence

Arnica montana

Gels and creams with arnica flower are used only on the skin for bruises, sprains and localised muscle pain; never on broken skin or by mouth.

Joints, Bones & Pain

Clay, Soap & Other

Witch Hazel – Clay, Soap & Other
⚠ External use only

Witch Hazel

T Traditional use

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch hazel leaf is used on the skin for minor inflammation and dryness, for haemorrhoid itching and burning, and as a mouth gargle.

Skin & HairDigestion+1

Clay, Soap & Other