Nature's Pharmacy: Ancient Knowledge, Modern Medicine

Aloe
Aloe vera
Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe

Name, Habitat, and Appearance
Aloe is a tropical succulent belonging to the lily family (Liliaceae). It has long, light-green prickly-edged, fleshy leaves filled with bitter juice and bears a single leafless stalk 2-3 feet tall, that terminates in a cluster of downward-pointing yellow to orange-red flowers.

Native to the Cape Verde Islands off the western coast of Africa, Aloe eventually spread to the Mediterranean area. It was introduced to the West Indies and North America by early settlers and it continues to be cultivated in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona and the Carribean Islands. Aloe is commonly grown as a houseplant. A second common species of Aloe, Aloe barbadensis, is similar to Aloe vera in many respects.

History
For over 3,500 years, tales of healing Aloe vera plants were passed down by word of mouth. The earliest documented use of Aloe vera as a laxative and a treatment for skin problems comes from the ancient Egyptians circa 1500 B.C.E. It was also thought to have been grown and used by King Solomon, who was said to have valued it highly. The Bible (John 19:39) mentions Christ's body being wrapped in aloes and myrrh after it was removed from the cross. The Roman naturalist Pliny, writing in the first century C.E., cited many uses for aloe: the fresh juice for external application to heal wounds, bruises, and irritations; and a leaf extract to be taken internally as a tonic, purgative, and jaundice remedy.

When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, he learned that an island off Somalia teemed with aloes. He immediately seized it to guarantee a supply of the wound treatment for his troops, while keeping the herb from his enemies. Arab traders carried aloe from Spain to Asia around the 6th Century. During his travels in Asia, Marco Polo recorded the various applications of the Aloe vera plant. The Spanish Conquistadors noted various herbal medicines in use in Mexico and Aloe vera was thought to be the effective agent in many Aztec cures. These medicines were brought back to Europe by the Spanish, during the 16th Century. American pioneers used aloe gel to treat wounds, burns, hemorrhoids and rashes.

Historical Uses

• To treat digestive disorders, gastritis and stomach ulcers (Gel used internally)
• To relieve constipation
• To treat minor burns, infection in wounds, insect bites, skin irritations, bruising, chickenpox, sunburn, poison ivy and acne (Gel used externally.)

Warnings
If taken in excess, aloe's powerful laxative chemicals can cause intestinal cramps leading to ulcers or irritated bowels. If you are pregnant or have a gastrointestinal illness, take aloe internally only in consultation with a physician.

Modern Medicinal Uses
Aloe yields two therapeutic substances, a gel and a juice. The translucent gel, obtained from the inner leaves, works externally to relieve minor burns, skin irritations and infections, and, when taken internally, provides relief for stomach disorders. It has also been found to contain magnesium lactate, an effective antihistamine. The sticky fresh juice of Aloe leaves serves as a skin-softening ingredient in many lotions and creams, salves, and shampoos. It contains polysaccharides, which soothe, soften and protect the skin and make it useful in various pharmaceutical products for minor wounds and burns. At home Aloe vera leaves, freshly broken, can be used topically to relieve minor burns.

Aloe contains allantoin, a substance that speeds wound healing. Scientific validation of aloe's wound-healing power dates from the 1930s, when radiologists noticed that aloe gel scooped straight from the cut leaves of the plant hastened the healing of x-ray burns. Since then, studies have confirmed the herb's ability to promote healing of cuts, frostbite and first- and second-degree burns. The fresh juice is also employed as a salve for the treatment of radiation burns. Some derivatives of aloe are being studied for both anti-AIDS and anti-cancer potential.