-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Aloe spp. (Aloe)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Aloe latifolia, Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe officinalis
synonyms: aloe, bitter aloe, cape aloe, barbados aloe, curacao aloe, bombay aloe, acibar
part(s) used: resin. Note: The leaf gel, commonly consumed as a cleansing juice preparation, is a different product. (McGuffin, p.7)
qualities: bitter, cool, moist
affinities: intestines, skin
actions: laxative on lower gastrointestinal (slow acting 10-15 hours), can also be a purgative; cathartic; bitter tonic, stomachic, hepatic; vermifuge/anthelmintic; emmenagogue; vulnerary, demulcent, and emollient
dosage:
» tincture: 1 - 4 ml.
» resin: 100 - 300 mg
therapy: atonic constipation; burns; to increase menstrual flow; insect bites; asthma
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b
toxicity: 1
» toxicity varies between different species and varieties of Aloe; barbaloin can be very griping (especially in dried form) and cause severe intestinal irritation; Aloe vera, which has very little, if any, barbaloin, is usually considered non-toxic
» see anthraquinone gastrointestinal toxidrome
» contraindicated in pregnancy and cases of menorrhagia or metrorrhagia; also in patients with gastrointestinal inflammation, irritable plethoric conditions and hemorrhoids; not to be used by patients with chronic constipation (Felter and Lloyd, pp. 151-152; Morton, pp. 47-50; U.S. Dispensatory, pp. 46-50)
» produces catharsis in nursing child (Morton, pp. 47-50)
» may cause or potentiate kidney irritation (Brooks)
» contraindicated in children younger than 12 due to depletion of electrolytes and water (De Smet)
» Extended use of more than 8-10 days may cause loss of peristalsis from intestinal smooth muscle and mesenteric plexi damage (De Smet)
constituents: anthraquinone glycosides, free aloeemodin in small amounts, chromones, resins, mucilage
drug interactions: Aloe can cause potassium loss which may lead to increased toxicity of cardiac glycosides such as those in Adonis, Convallaria, Urginea, Helleborus, Strophanthus, and Digitalis (De Smet; Wichtl). Aloe can reduce the absorption of oral drugs and increases potassium loss caused by diuretics (De Smet).
footnotes
Brooks, S. (ed.). Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot Med 1995; 1: 147-58.
De Smet, PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Felter, HW, Lloyd, JU. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: C.R.C. Press.
The Merck Index, 5th ed. Rahway, NJ: Merck & Co. Inc., 1940. pp.18, 66.
Morton, JF. 1977. Major Medicinal Plants: Botany, Culture, Uses. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Shida, T, et al. Proceeding of Wakananyaku Symposium 13, 1980, pp. 47-51.
Shih, T, et al. Effect of aloe extract on peripheral phagocytosis in adult bronchial asthma. Plant Medica. 273-275, 1985.
Tyler, VE et al. Pharmacognosy. (7th ed.) Phila. PA: Lea & Febiger,1976. p.81.
Wichtl, M. (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Wood, HC. and Osol, A. Dispensatory of the United States of America. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott, 1943. p.94.