Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many aloe species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents.
Aloe vera is used both internally and externally on humans as
folk or
alternative medicine. The
Aloe species is known for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Around 75% of
Aloe species are used locally for medicinal uses. Numerous cultivars with mixed or uncertain parentage are grown. Of these,
Aloe 'Lizard Lips' has gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit.
Historical uses , a copy, written in
Constantinople in 515 AD, of
Dioscorides' 1st century AD work. Historical use of various aloe species is well documented. Documentation of the clinical effectiveness is available, although relatively limited. Of the 500+ species, only a few were used traditionally as
herbal medicines,
Aloe vera again being the most commonly used species. Also included are
A. perryi and
A. ferox. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used
Aloe vera to treat wounds. In the Middle Ages, the yellowish liquid found inside the leaves was favored as a
purgative. According to
Cancer Research UK, a potentially deadly product called T-UP is made of concentrated aloe, and promoted as a cancer cure. They say "there is currently no evidence that aloe products can help to prevent or treat cancer in humans".
Aloin in OTC laxative products On May 9, 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule banning the use of aloin, the yellow sap of the aloe plant, for use as a laxative ingredient in
over-the-counter drug products. Most aloe juices today do not contain significant aloin.
Chemical properties According to W. A. Shenstone, two classes of aloins are recognized: (1) nataloins, which yield
picric and
oxalic acids with
nitric acid, and do not give a red coloration with nitric acid; and (2)
barbaloins, which yield aloetic acid (C7H2N3O5), chrysammic acid (C7H2N2O6), picric and oxalic acids with nitric acid, being reddened by the acid. This second group may be divided into a-barbaloins, obtained from Barbados
Aloe, and reddened in the cold, and b-barbaloins, obtained from
Aloe Socotrina and Zanzibar
Aloe, reddened by ordinary nitric acid only when warmed or by fuming acid in the cold. Nataloin (2C17H13O7·H2O) forms bright-yellow scales, barbaloin (C17H18O7)
prismatic crystals.
Aloe species are used in essential oils as a safety measure to dilute the solution before they are applied to the skin.
Flavoring Aloe perryi,
A. barbadensis,
A. ferox, and hybrids of this species with
A. africana and
A. spicata are listed as natural flavoring substances in the US government
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
Aloe socotrina is said to be used in yellow
Chartreuse. ==Gallery==