About Herbs

Clinical evidence generally supports the topical use of aloe vera for minor burns, frostbite, wound healing and inflammation, especially when combined with hydrocortisone.

Prevention or treatment of radiation therapy-induced side effects:

A randomized, controlled trial compared 98% pure aloe vera gel to a placebo gel or nothing at all in 301 breast cancer patients receiving chest wall irradiation. Patients applied the gel twice daily, starting within three days of their first radiation treatment. Women in all three groups developed rashes and redness at the same rate, suggesting that aloe vera is not effective in treating or preventing radiation-induced skin problems.

Another study compared the use of a mild soap with or without a topical aloe vera gel in 70 patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer. The time it took for skin changes (such as redness and itching) to develop was measured, and practically no difference was seen between patients using aloe and those using soap alone. However, patients who used aloe and received high doses of radiation (greater than 2700 cGy) did show some benefit. It should be noted that the aloe vera gel also included vitamin E and other ingredients that may have had an effect on patients' skin outcomes.

In a recent clinical trial, 225 women with breast cancer who received radiation therapy after lumpectomy or partial mastectomy were studied to see if aloe vera gel was better than a water-based body cream in preventing skin side effects of radiation therapy. For two weeks during radiation therapy, the women were randomly assigned to apply either aloe vera gel or the cream to the affected area. Results showed that aloe vera gel is less effective than a water-based cream in reducing radiation-induced skin side effects, such as peeling and pain.

Ulcerative Colitis
44 out-patients participated in a study of aloe vera gel and ulcreative colitis. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either oral aloe vera gel or placebo for four weeks. Subjects receiving the aloe vera were more likely to get better, however the size of the trial was not large enough to determine whether the results were due to chance. In addition, results of sigmoidoscopes of the two groups revealed little difference. Only minor side effects were reported. The researchers concluded that further study is needed to determine the effect of aloe vera on patients with colitis.

Diabetes
Researchers reviewed over 100 trials of herbs and supplements and their use in lowering glucose. The study included two trials of aloe vera. The trials were not randomized and were performed by the same investigators. The trials reported a reduction in blood glucose level after six weeks of aloe vera gel supplementation. No side effects were reported. Further study is necessary to determine the effect of aloe vera on blood glucose levels.

• This product is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
• Aloe vera gel should not be confused with aloe juice or aloe latex, both of which contain anthraquinone, a potent laxative.
• Despite the use of some oral dosages in clinical trials of ulcerative colitis, there is not enough evidence at this time to support the use of aloe vera by mouth or by injection. The risk of serious adverse effects is high, and several cancer patients died from aloe vera injections that were used as a cancer therapy.

• Burns
• Cold sores
• Colitis
• Diabetes
• Dry Skin
• Inflammation
• Pain
• Pruritus

Due to the many different aloe vera formulations and compounds used in clinical studies, it is difficult to interpret the studies fairly. There are few controlled studies using aloe vera gel. The evidence does support topical use for minor burns, frostbite, wound healing and anti-inflammatory purposes, especially combined with hydrocortisone. Conflicting data exist regarding use of aloe vera to manage skin side effects following radiation therapy.

Williams MS et al. Phase III double-blind evaluation of an aloe vera gel as a prophylactic agent for radiation-induced skin toxicity. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1996;36:345-9.
A randomized, prospective, double-blind evaluation of 98% pure aloe vera gel versus placebo in 194 breast cancer patients receiving chest wall irradiation. Skin care with either aloe vera or placebo gel was started within 3 days of initial radiation treatment and applied twice daily. Data analysis revealed no statistical difference between the treatment arms with respect to radiation-induced dermatitis. A second phase of the trial randomized 107 breast cancer patients to either 98% pure aloe vera gel or observation only; no advantage was seen for patients receiving aloe vera. The author concludes that aloe vera gel does not protect against radiation-induced dermatitis.

Olsen DL, et al. The effect of aloe vera / mild soap versus mild soap in preventing skin reactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Oncol Nurs Forum 2001;28:543-7.
A randomized, blinded, prospective study of patients undergoing radiation therapy. Seventy patients were randomized to receive skin care with either aloe vera and mild soap or mild soap alone. Time to skin change (texture, erythema, tanning, pruritus) was the primary measured outcome. Aloe vera product contained pure aloe vera gel in addition to d-alpha tocopherol, triethanolamine, and methylparaben. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment arms at low cumulative dose(<2,700 cGy). Aloe vera added soap seems to have a protective effect on patients who received a higher cumulative radiation dose(>2700 cGy).

Heggie S, et al. A Phase III study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on irradiated breast tissue. Cancer Nurs 2002;25(6):442-51.
This is a Phase III trial involving 225 women with breast cancer who received radiation therapy after lumpectomy or partial mastectomy. Patients were randomized to receive either topical aloe vera gel or topical aqueous cream for 2 weeks after radiation treatment. The author concluded that aloe vera gel is less effective than aqueous cream in reducing radiation induced skin side effects, such as dry desquamation and pain. 

Langmead L, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Apr 1;19(7):739-47.
44 out-patients participated in a study of aloe vera gel and ulcreative colitis. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 100 mL oral aloe vera gel or placebo twice daily for four weeks. Subjects receiving the aloe vera were more likely to have a clinical response, however results were barely statistically significant. In addition, sigmoidoscopic scores and laboratory variables showed no significant differences between the two groups. Adverse events were minor. Researchers conclude that further evaluation in needed.

Yeh GY, et al. Systematic review of herbs and dietary supplements for glycemic control in diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003 Apr;26(4):1277-94.
A systematic review of herbs and supplements used in diabetes care included two nonrandomized clinical trials of aloe vera. The two trials were from the same same investigator group and reported improved fasting blood glucose with six weeks of aloe gel supplementation. No adverse effects were reported. Further study is warranted.

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