© Wouter Hagens · Public domain · Commons
Aloe vera
Caution🐾Echte Aloe · (Aloe vera)
Asphodel family (Asphodelaceae)
Description
The thick, fleshy leaves of this succulent from the asphodel family hold a clear gel at their centre, while a bitter yellow latex layer sits just beneath the rind — the two differ fundamentally in effect and use. The leaf gel is harvested year-round and contains the polysaccharide acemannan along with vitamins and minerals. Pure gel, or an ointment made from it, is applied externally according to Commission E to cool and moisturise minor burns, sunburn and skin irritation. The yellow latex, by contrast, contains anthraquinones such as aloin and was traditionally used as a short-term laxative. WARNING: in 2017 EFSA classified whole-leaf extracts containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives as potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic, and the EU Commission banned them from food supplements in 2021. When using the inner gel, every trace of the yellow latex must be carefully removed.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
Internal use of aloin-containing preparations (aloe juice, whole-leaf extracts) is contraindicated in pregnancy — anthraquinones can trigger uterine contractions and are potentially genotoxic. External use of the pure gel is considered safe.
CONTRAINDICATED during breastfeeding
Avoid aloin-containing preparations internally during lactation — anthraquinones pass into breast milk and can cause diarrhea in the infant. External use of the gel is possible.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Internal use of aloin-containing aloe preparations is contraindicated in children under 12 years according to EMA HMPC. External gel for skin irritations is harmless.
Critical drug interactions with:
Herzglykoside (z. B. Digoxin)
Pure leaf gel or ointment containing Aloe vera gel applied externally to cool and moisturize minor burns, sunburn, small skin irritations, and dry skin. The gel forms a protective moisturizing film and contains polysaccharides (mainly acemannan) that may support wound healing.
Preparation & dosage
Pure, freshly peeled inner leaf gel (without the yellow aloin layer) added to smoothies or juices. Traditionally used to support digestion and the immune system. Important: use only the transparent inner gel; carefully remove every trace of the yellow latex from the leaf rind, as it contains aloin.
Preparation & dosage
Aloe juice (Aloe drug, thickened latex from the leaf rind) contains anthraquinones (aloin, aloe-emodin) and is strongly laxative. Traditionally used as a short-term laxative for acute constipation. To be used cautiously today: EFSA classifies whole-leaf extracts containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives as potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic (Scientific Opinion 2017).
Preparation & dosage
Cool compress with Aloe vera gel for superficial wounds, insect bites, or irritated skin. The gel soothes, cools, and may support wound healing through its polysaccharides.
Preparation & dosage
Aloe gel as a bath additive for a nourishing, moisturizing bath for dry or irritated skin. Valued in folk medicine and skincare.
Preparation & dosage
Sources: [7]
Important: Aloe vera gel (clear inner gel) and aloe juice (yellow latex from the leaf rind containing aloin) are two very different preparations. The external gel is well tolerated, the internal aloin-containing juice is strongly laxative and should only be used short-term (max. 1–2 weeks) and not without medical advice. In 2017, EFSA published a scientific opinion classifying whole-leaf extracts and aloin-containing preparations as potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic; the EU Commission banned hydroxyanthracene derivatives from Aloe in food supplements in 2021. When cutting the leaf, the yellow latex must be carefully removed before the gel is used internally. ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
⏱ Max continuous use: 2 weeks
Internal use of aloin-containing preparations (aloe juice, whole-leaf extracts) is contraindicated in pregnancy — anthraquinones can trigger uterine contractions and are potentially genotoxic. External use of the pure gel is considered safe.
Avoid aloin-containing preparations internally during lactation — anthraquinones pass into breast milk and can cause diarrhea in the infant. External use of the gel is possible.
Internal use of aloin-containing aloe preparations is contraindicated in children under 12 years according to EMA HMPC. External gel for skin irritations is harmless.
Drug interactions
Herzglykoside (z. B. Digoxin)
Anthranoids from aloe juice can cause potassium loss with chronic use, potentially enhancing the effect and toxicity of cardiac glycosides.
Antiarrhythmika
Hypokalemia from chronic aloin use may alter the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs.
Diuretika (Thiazide, Schleifendiuretika)
Enhanced potassium loss with concurrent use of aloin-containing laxatives and potassium-depleting diuretics.
Kortikosteroide
Concurrent use may worsen potassium depletion.
Antikoagulanzien (Warfarin, Cumarine)
Aloe may alter anticoagulant effects through electrolyte shifts and possible influence on gut flora.
Contraindications
- Bowel obstruction, acute inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), appendicitis
- Abdominal pain of unknown origin
- Severe dehydration or electrolyte imbalances
- Pregnancy and lactation (internally, aloin-containing preparations)
- Children under 12 years (internally)
Harvested part: leaf gel
- Time of day:
- Morning before the greatest heat, when leaves are plump with gel.
- Drying:
- Gel is usually used fresh, not dried. For preservation: refrigerate short-term or freeze.
- Storage:
- 0.25 months — Fresh gel refrigerated max. 1 week, frozen up to 3 months. Drying is not recommended due to loss of active compounds.
- Time of day:
- Whole leaf for aloin extraction — year-round in cultivation, exclusively cultivated, no wild harvest customary.
- Drying:
- Yellow latex is collected by incising the leaves, thickened, and dried (aloe drug).
- Storage:
- 24 months — Dried aloe drug stored dry and protected from light, tightly sealed, keeps up to 2 years.
- Acemannan (Polysaccharid)PolysaccharideContent: 0.1–0.3% Trockenmasse des GelsLeaf
Main active compound of the inner gel; β-(1,4)-acetylated mannan; immunomodulatory and wound-healing.
- Aloin (Barbaloin, Anthranoid-C-Glykosid)OtherContent: 15–40% des getrockneten Latex; im Gel <50 ppm angestrebtLeaf
Main anthraquinone in the yellow latex of the leaf rind; strongly laxative; EFSA 2017 classifies hydroxyanthracene derivatives as potentially genotoxic/carcinogenic.
- Aloe-EmodinOtherContent: Spuren bis 2% im LatexLeaf
Anthraquinone aglycone; laxative; also covered by the 2017 EFSA assessment.
- SalicylsäurePhenolic acidContent: SpurenLeaf
Contributes to the anti-inflammatory and mildly analgesic effect of the gel.
- SaponineSaponinLeaf
Cleansing and mild antimicrobial properties.
- Pflanzliche Sterole (Campesterol, β-Sitosterol, Lupeol)OtherLeaf
Anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.
- Vitamine (A, C, E, B-Komplex)VitaminLeaf
Present in small amounts in the inner gel; antioxidant action.
- Mineralien (Calcium, Magnesium, Zink, Kalium)MineralLeaf
Minerals and trace elements in the gel.
- [1]MonographEMA/HMPC — European Union herbal monograph on Aloe barbadensis Mill. and Aloe (various species, mainly Aloe ferox Mill. and its hybrids), folii succus siccatus(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [2]MonographKommission E — Aloe vera Gel (Monographie)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [3]MonographKommission E — Aloe-Saft, eingedickter Saft aus den Blättern (Monographie, BAnz Nr. 133, 1985)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [4]MonographESCOP — Aloe vera gel monograph(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [5]MonographEFSA — Scientific Opinion on the safety of hydroxyanthracene derivatives for use in food (EFSA Journal 2018;16(1):5090)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [6]MonographWHO — Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Vol. 1: Aloe and Aloe Vera Gel (1999)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [7]MonographPlants For A Future — Aloe vera(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [8]MonographASPCA Animal Poison Control — Aloe (Aloe vera)(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [9]MonographCliniTox Giftpflanzen — Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.: giftig + (Institut für Veterinärpharmakologie und -toxikologie, Universität Zürich)(accessed: 2026-08-10)
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- full sun
- 💧 Water
- sparse
- 🌱 Soil
- Cactus/succulent soil, sandy
- 🪴 Pot
- 18 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★☆☆ beginner
- 🐾 Pets
- toxic to pets
Tips:
- Under-water rather than over-water — waterlogging kills aloe quickly.
- In winter: bright spot, water only every 4-6 weeks.
- Harvest oldest leaves first — cut at an angle, the wound heals on its own.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.