Aloe Vera

Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
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This information describes the common uses of Aloe Vera, how it works, and its possible side effects.
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.

What is it?

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that’s used in traditional medicine. The clear gel from its leaves can be put on the skin as a moisturizer and to treat burns. Some people drink aloe vera juice as a laxative (something that helps you poop). Aloe latex (yellow substance that comes from just under the plant’s skin) is also used as a laxative.

You can inject aloe vera into your body as an alternative cancer therapy, but this can cause severe side effects including death.

What are the potential uses and benefits?

Aloe vera gel (put on the skin) is used:

  • To treat burns
  • To reduce swelling, itchiness, or redness
  • To reduce redness, rashes, and itchy skin caused by radiation therapy. It’s also used to decrease redness and swelling of mouth caused by chemotherapy.
  • To improve blood sugar level in patients with diabetes (when taken by mouth)

Aloe vera has other uses that haven’t been studied by doctors to see if they work.

It’s generally safe to use aloe vera as a gel on your skin. But taking supplements or giving yourself an aloe vera injection (shot) can cause serious side effects.

Herbal supplements can also interact with some medications and affect how they work. For more information, read the “What else do I need to know?” section below.

What are the side effects?

Side effects of taking aloe vera supplements by mouth may include:

  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up)
  • Vomiting (throwing up)
  • Seizure (uncontrollable shaking or stiffening of your body)
  • Low blood potassium levels
  • Abnormal liver function

What else do I need to know?

  • Let your healthcare provider know if you are taking sevoflurane (Ultane®). This is an anesthetic (medication to make you sleep during surgery). Aloe vera may cause excessive bleeding during surgery.
  • Aloe vera isn’t an effective cancer treatment, and it should not be taken as a supplement or injection because it can cause serious side effects.
  • Pregnant women should not take aloe vera as its safety is not known.