Evidence-based·Last reviewed June 1, 2026·How we grade evidence

Aloe

BotanicalBest with a meal

Topical aloe vera inner-leaf gel has reasonable evidence for first/second-degree burns and minor wound healing. Oral whole-leaf preparations are a different matter — the IARC classifies non-decolorized whole-leaf extract as a Group 2B (possible) carcinogen based on rodent colon-cancer data, and FDA removed aloe-based stimulant laxatives from the US OTC market in 2002. Don't confuse the two.

Quick decision guide

May help most

Topical use on minor burns, sunburn, and minor abrasions. Inner-leaf gel-only oral preparations may modestly lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes (with clinician oversight).

Common dosing range

Topical: thin layer of pure aloe gel 2–4× daily on the affected area. Oral (decolorized inner-leaf gel only): 100–300 mg/day standardized extract OR 30–60 mL/day inner-leaf gel/juice from a brand that explicitly states the latex is removed.

When to expect effects

Topical burns: 2–8 days faster healing in pooled trials. Oral glucose effects: weeks.

Watch out for

Avoid non-decolorized whole-leaf or aloe-latex oral products (laxative use) — IARC Group 2B carcinogen with chronic use and electrolyte/cardiac risk from diarrhea. Topical aloe is safe; oral aloe is high-stakes.

Evidence snapshot

Topical — minor burns / sunburnModerate

Topical — wound healingEmerging

Oral inner-leaf gel — type 2 diabetes (glucose)Emerging

Oral as laxative (anthraquinones)Low

What is it

Aloe is a plant-derived ingredient sold as a dietary supplement and used in traditional herbal use. Found on roughly 939 U.S. supplement labels.

Is it worth it for you?

Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.

Worth considering if…

You want a topical option for a minor first-degree burn, sunburn, or mild skin abrasion

You have type 2 diabetes (on stable medication) and want to discuss an oral inner-leaf-gel adjunct with your clinician — explicitly inner-leaf, decolorized, no whole-leaf product

You're using pure aloe gel on intact skin for cosmetic moisturizing

You buy a topical or oral product that explicitly states 'inner leaf' or 'decolorized' and is third-party tested

Probably skip if…

You're using oral aloe as a laxative — FDA pulled aloe-latex laxatives in 2002; chronic use can cause electrolyte imbalance and IARC flags whole-leaf as a possible carcinogen

You're tempted by 'whole leaf' or 'non-decolorized' oral aloe products — rodent data show colon adenoma/carcinoma signal

You have inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or active diarrhoea — oral aloe is contraindicated

You're pregnant or breastfeeding — oral aloe is contraindicated (uterine stimulant, laxative effects)

You're using topical aloe on deep burns (third-degree), large wounds, or post-surgical incisions without surgeon approval — get medical care, not aloe

You take insulin, sulfonylureas, digoxin, or warfarin — multiple documented interactions with oral aloe

Evidence at a glance

Goal	Effect	Best fit	Time
Oral use as a stimulant laxative (anthraquinone-containing preparations) Strong Evidence	Established carcinogen signal in rodents; FDA removed from OTC market; not recommended for human use	No safe target population for chronic oral laxative use of whole-leaf or latex aloe — use psyllium, polyethylene glycol, or other evidence-based laxatives instead	Acute laxative effect within 6–12 hours; carcinogen signal from chronic use over months–years
Topical use for minor burns and sunburn Good Evidence	~8.8 days faster healing of first/second-degree burns vs control in pooled trials; results vary by preparation	Minor first-degree or small second-degree burns, sunburn, minor abrasions on intact peri-wound skin	Days (faster epithelialisation in trials, typically visible within the first week)
Topical wound healing (minor wounds, dermatitis) Limited Evidence	Faster epithelialisation in most superficial-wound trials; inconsistent or null in chronic-wound trials	Minor superficial wounds, mild dermatitis, post-procedure skin irritation on intact peri-wound skin	Days to a few weeks for visible healing improvement
Oral inner-leaf gel for type 2 diabetes (glucose lowering) Limited Evidence	Pooled fasting glucose −46.6 mg/dL; HbA1c −1.05% in type 2 diabetes; smaller in prediabetes	Adults with mild–moderate type 2 diabetes on stable medication, willing to use ONLY decolorized inner-leaf gel/extract, with clinician oversight	4–12 weeks in trials

Oral use as a stimulant laxative (anthraquinone-containing preparations)

Strong Evidence

Effect: Established carcinogen signal in rodents; FDA removed from OTC market; not recommended for human use
Best fit: No safe target population for chronic oral laxative use of whole-leaf or latex aloe — use psyllium, polyethylene glycol, or other evidence-based laxatives instead
Time: Acute laxative effect within 6–12 hours; carcinogen signal from chronic use over months–years

Topical use for minor burns and sunburn

Good Evidence

Effect: ~8.8 days faster healing of first/second-degree burns vs control in pooled trials; results vary by preparation
Best fit: Minor first-degree or small second-degree burns, sunburn, minor abrasions on intact peri-wound skin
Time: Days (faster epithelialisation in trials, typically visible within the first week)

Topical wound healing (minor wounds, dermatitis)

Limited Evidence

Effect: Faster epithelialisation in most superficial-wound trials; inconsistent or null in chronic-wound trials
Best fit: Minor superficial wounds, mild dermatitis, post-procedure skin irritation on intact peri-wound skin
Time: Days to a few weeks for visible healing improvement

Oral inner-leaf gel for type 2 diabetes (glucose lowering)

Limited Evidence

Effect: Pooled fasting glucose −46.6 mg/dL; HbA1c −1.05% in type 2 diabetes; smaller in prediabetes
Best fit: Adults with mild–moderate type 2 diabetes on stable medication, willing to use ONLY decolorized inner-leaf gel/extract, with clinician oversight
Time: 4–12 weeks in trials

Evidence for 4 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Oral use as a stimulant laxative (anthraquinone-containing preparations)

Strong Evidence

Anthraquinone-containing aloe preparations (aloe latex, non-decolorized whole-leaf extract) work as stimulant laxatives — but FDA removed them from the US OTC laxative monograph in 2002 (21 CFR 310.545) because manufacturers couldn't provide safety/efficacy data the agency required. The 2-year NTP rodent study (TR 577) found clear evidence of colon adenomas and carcinomas in rats given non-decolorized whole-leaf extract in drinking water; IARC classified this preparation as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) in 2016. Chronic laxative use also causes electrolyte loss, hypokalemia, and pseudomelanosis coli.

Effect size

Established carcinogen signal in rodents; FDA removed from OTC market; not recommended for human use

Time to effect

Acute laxative effect within 6–12 hours; carcinogen signal from chronic use over months–years

Best fit

No safe target population for chronic oral laxative use of whole-leaf or latex aloe — use psyllium, polyethylene glycol, or other evidence-based laxatives instead

Less likely

—

Bottom line: Don't use whole-leaf or aloe-latex products orally. Use a different laxative.

SourceIARC Monographs Vol 108, 2016 — International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO)NTP Technical Report 577, 2013 — National Toxicology Program FDA 21 CFR 310.545 — Status of certain additional OTC drug ingredients — US Food and Drug Administration

Topical use for minor burns and sunburn

Supplement benefit

Good Evidence

A 2007 systematic review (Maenthaisong) of 4 controlled trials in 371 patients found topical aloe vera shortened healing time of first/second-degree burns by an average of ~8.8 days vs control. Trials were small and used various aloe preparations, so the effect size is uncertain — but the direction is consistent. Multiple smaller human trials and a broader 2019 wound-healing systematic review (Hekmatpou) point the same way. Standard burn care (cooling, clean dressing, analgesia, medical evaluation if blistered or >palm-sized) still comes first.

Effect size

~8.8 days faster healing of first/second-degree burns vs control in pooled trials; results vary by preparation

Time to effect

Days (faster epithelialisation in trials, typically visible within the first week)

Best fit

Minor first-degree or small second-degree burns, sunburn, minor abrasions on intact peri-wound skin

Less likely

Third-degree burns, large burns (>palm size), facial/genital burns, infected wounds — these need medical care

Bottom line: Reasonable evidence for minor burns. Use it after, not instead of, basic burn care.

SourceMaenthaisong et al., 2007 — PubMed — Burns Hekmatpou et al., 2019 — PMC — Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences NCCIH — Aloe Vera Fact Sheet — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Topical wound healing (minor wounds, dermatitis)

Supplement benefit

Limited Evidence

A 2019 systematic review of 23 animal and human studies found topical aloe shortens wound-healing time, improves tissue granulation, and has antimicrobial activity in vitro. Human trials are heterogeneous in dose, vehicle, and wound type. The evidence is most consistent for minor superficial wounds and dermatitis, less so for chronic wounds (pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers — where some trials have actually shown delayed healing).

Effect size

Faster epithelialisation in most superficial-wound trials; inconsistent or null in chronic-wound trials

Time to effect

Days to a few weeks for visible healing improvement

Best fit

Minor superficial wounds, mild dermatitis, post-procedure skin irritation on intact peri-wound skin

Less likely

Chronic wounds (pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers) — get specialist wound care

Bottom line: Useful for minor cuts and irritation; not for chronic ulcers.

Evidence is mixed

Some chronic-wound trials have reported delayed healing with aloe vs standard care. Don't extrapolate burn / minor-wound evidence to chronic wounds.

SourceHekmatpou et al., 2019 — PMC — Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences· conflicting

SourceHekmatpou et al., 2019 — PMC — Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences

Oral inner-leaf gel for type 2 diabetes (glucose lowering)

Disease adjunct

Limited Evidence

A 2016 meta-analysis (Suksomboon, 8 RCTs, n=470) of oral inner-leaf aloe gel/juice found fasting plasma glucose reductions averaging ~47 mg/dL and HbA1c reductions of ~1.05% in patients with type 2 diabetes; smaller effects in prediabetes. Trials used inner-leaf gel preparations (NOT whole-leaf or latex products). The effect size is substantial in size but quality of underlying trials is variable, sample sizes are modest, and long-term safety of daily oral aloe over years isn't well characterised.

Effect size

Pooled fasting glucose −46.6 mg/dL; HbA1c −1.05% in type 2 diabetes; smaller in prediabetes

Time to effect

4–12 weeks in trials

Best fit

Adults with mild–moderate type 2 diabetes on stable medication, willing to use ONLY decolorized inner-leaf gel/extract, with clinician oversight

Less likely

Anyone considering whole-leaf or aloe-latex preparations — those are not recommended for oral use at any dose

Bottom line: Promising adjunct — only with inner-leaf decolorized preparations, glucose monitoring, and clinician oversight. Not a substitute for metformin.

SourceSuksomboon et al., 2016 — PubMed — Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics NCCIH — Aloe Vera Fact Sheet — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

How it works

Aloe contains a mixture of plant compounds, and the exact mechanism behind any effects depends on the specific preparation, the part of the plant used, and how it is extracted. Concentrations of active constituents can vary substantially between products. Most botanical effects are studied as a whole-plant or extract effect rather than tied to a single isolated molecule. Without strong human trial data, claims about how Aloe works should be treated cautiously.

How to take it

1. Typical dose

TOPICAL: • Thin layer of pure aloe vera gel applied 2–4× daily on the affected area • Use as long as needed for healing (typically 1–2 weeks for minor burns) ORAL (inner-leaf, decolorized ONLY): • 100–300 mg/day of a standardized inner-leaf gel extract (capsule) • OR 30–60 mL/day of inner-leaf gel juice (brand must state 'inner leaf' or 'decolorized') • Coordinate with clinician if used for diabetes

2. Higher studied dose

Up to 600 mg/day inner-leaf extract has been used in glycemic trials. Doses beyond this haven't been studied for additional benefit, and chronic high-dose oral aloe of any type isn't well characterised for long-term safety.

3. Timing

Topical: apply to clean, dry skin; reapply as the gel absorbs. Oral: with food to reduce GI upset; consistent timing daily.

4. With food

Oral aloe: with food.

5. Split dosing

Topical: as many times daily as the skin tolerates. Oral: single daily dose at the largest meal is fine for adjunct use.

6. How long to try

Topical: until the wound/burn heals (days to 1–2 weeks). Oral inner-leaf for diabetes: 8–12 weeks before judging glycemic effect; reassess with HbA1c. Don't use chronically without periodic clinician review.

What to track

For burns: reduction in pain, redness, and time to re-epithelialisation

For diabetes: fasting glucose, HbA1c, and signs of hypoglycaemia (light-headedness, sweating)

Stool frequency / consistency — diarrhoea is a sign you're getting an unwanted laxative dose (probably the wrong product)

Potassium / electrolytes if persistent diarrhoea (high-stakes with digoxin or diuretics)

Liver function tests if on long-term oral aloe — case reports of aloe-induced hepatitis exist

Bottom line: Topical: simple, low-risk, reach for it for minor burns and sunburn. Oral: only inner-leaf decolorized preparations, only with clinician oversight, and never for laxative use.

5 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Topical inner-leaf gel (pure)

Best evidence

The form used in burn-healing trials. Pure aloe gel, either bottled or scraped directly from a houseplant leaf. Cooling, moisturizing, used 2–4× daily on minor burns, sunburn, or minor abrasions.

Standard topical preparation; minimal absorption into bloodstream.

Oral inner-leaf gel/juice (decolorized)

Use with caution

Inner-leaf gel with the anthraquinone-rich latex removed (decolorized or 'low aloin'). The form used in oral glucose-lowering trials. Drinks (30–60 mL/day) and capsules (100–300 mg/day) both available. Coordinate with clinician if combining with diabetes meds.

Lower carcinogen risk than whole-leaf; still not for casual oral use.

Oral whole-leaf extract (non-decolorized)

Avoid

Contains the anthraquinone-rich latex along with the inner gel. This is the preparation IARC classified as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic) and the NTP rodent study linked to colon adenomas/carcinomas. Do not buy for oral use.

IARC Group 2B carcinogen with chronic use — avoid orally.

Aloe latex (anthraquinone laxative)

Avoid

The yellow latex from beneath the leaf skin, traditionally used as a stimulant laxative. FDA removed aloe-based stimulant laxatives from the US OTC monograph in 2002 (21 CFR 310.545) due to inadequate safety/efficacy data. Use psyllium, PEG, or other evidence-based laxatives instead.

Not recommended; FDA-restricted.

Aloe-containing skincare and cosmetics

Generally safe

Lotions, after-sun sprays, and moisturizers with aloe as one ingredient among many. Low aloe concentration; safe on intact skin. Don't rely on these for therapeutic burn healing — use pure gel for that.

Cosmetic-grade; minimal therapeutic concentration.

Safety

Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.

Common side effects

Topical: rare allergic contact dermatitisOral: diarrhoea, abdominal cramping (especially with whole-leaf or latex preparations)Oral: electrolyte loss (hypokalemia) with chronic laxative useOral: pseudomelanosis coli (cosmetic colon pigmentation) with prolonged anthraquinone laxative use

Serious risks

IARC classifies non-decolorized whole-leaf Aloe vera extract as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) based on rodent colon-cancer data from the 2013 NTP 2-year study. Do not use whole-leaf or latex preparations orally.
SourceIARC Monographs Vol 108, 2016 — International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO)NTP Technical Report 577, 2013 — National Toxicology Program
FDA removed aloe (and cascara sagrada) from the US OTC stimulant laxative monograph in 2002 (21 CFR 310.545) due to inadequate safety/efficacy data — chronic laxative use causes hypokalemia and electrolyte imbalance with potentially dangerous additive cardiac effects when combined with digoxin or diuretics.
SourceFDA 21 CFR 310.545 — Status of certain additional OTC drug ingredients — US Food and Drug Administration
Additive hypoglycaemia with insulin or sulfonylureas — inner-leaf aloe can lower glucose significantly; monitor closely if combining.
SourceSuksomboon et al., 2016 — PubMed — Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Case reports of aloe-induced acute hepatitis with oral use. Stop and seek care if you develop jaundice, fatigue, or right-upper-quadrant abdominal pain.
SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

Who should avoid it

Anyone considering oral whole-leaf or aloe-latex (anthraquinone-containing) preparations — IARC 2B carcinogen signal; use a different laxative.
SourceIARC Monographs Vol 108, 2016 — International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO)FDA 21 CFR 310.545 — Status of certain additional OTC drug ingredients — US Food and Drug Administration
Pregnant or breastfeeding women — oral aloe is contraindicated (uterine stimulant; laxative effects can affect electrolyte balance and breast milk).
SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine
People with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), active diarrhoea, intestinal obstruction, or undiagnosed abdominal pain — oral aloe worsens these.
SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine
Children under 12 — no established safety profile for oral aloe in paediatrics.
SourceNCCIH — Aloe Vera Fact Sheet — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
People on digoxin, diuretics, or warfarin — oral aloe can cause electrolyte loss that interacts dangerously with these.
SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine
People scheduled for surgery within 2 weeks — stop oral aloe (blood-glucose-lowering and theoretical bleeding effects).
SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Avoid oral aloe in pregnancy and breastfeeding — it has documented uterine-stimulant effects, laxative effects that can affect electrolyte balance, and unclear safety in nursing infants. Topical aloe on intact skin is generally considered safe during pregnancy.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

Bottom line: Topical aloe is one of the gentler herbal options. Oral aloe is genuinely high-stakes — whole-leaf and latex preparations are IARC 2B carcinogens and FDA pulled them from OTC laxative use. Use only decolorized inner-leaf products orally, and only with a clinician's input.

Interactions

digoxinMajor

Chronic oral aloe (especially anthraquinone-containing) causes potassium loss; hypokalemia potentiates digoxin toxicity, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. Avoid combining.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

insulin and oral diabetes medications (sulfonylureas, meglitinides)Moderate

Oral inner-leaf aloe lowers glucose meaningfully (~47 mg/dL fasting in meta-analysis). Combined use can cause hypoglycaemia; monitor closely and adjust diabetes med doses with prescriber.

SourceSuksomboon et al., 2016 — PubMed — Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics

potassium-depleting diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)Moderate

Additive potassium loss with oral aloe-latex laxatives. Avoid combining; monitor electrolytes if unavoidable.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

warfarin and other anticoagulantsModerate

Aloe-induced diarrhoea reduces vitamin K absorption and may potentiate warfarin; additional bleeding risk reports exist. Discuss with prescriber.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

sevoflurane (general anaesthetic)Moderate

Aloe may potentiate the antiplatelet effects of sevoflurane and increase intraoperative bleeding. Stop oral aloe ≥2 weeks before surgery.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

oral medications taken at the same timeMinor

Stimulant laxative effects reduce gut transit time, potentially lowering absorption of any oral medication taken within a few hours. Separate dosing by 2+ hours.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine

Choosing a product

What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.

Look for…

TOPICAL: 'pure aloe vera gel' or 'aloe barbadensis leaf juice' as the first ingredient; minimal added alcohols or fragrances that can sting on burns

ORAL (only if necessary): label MUST say 'inner leaf,' 'inner-leaf gel,' or 'decolorized' — NOT 'whole leaf'

Oral: IASC (International Aloe Science Council) certified seal indicates lower anthraquinone content (still verify 'inner leaf')

Third-party tested (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab) — aloe products have documented adulteration with cheaper plant sources

Standardized inner-leaf extracts at 100–300 mg per capsule keep dose reproducible

Be skeptical of…

'Whole-leaf aloe' for oral use — IARC Group 2B carcinogen signal; do not buy for ingestion

'Natural laxative' / 'detox cleanse' aloe-latex products — FDA pulled these from OTC laxative market in 2002

'Cures cancer / HIV / arthritis' claims — no human trials support these

'Boosts immunity' marketing on oral aloe — minimal evidence in healthy adults

Combination 'colon cleanse' formulas with aloe + senna + cascara — multiple anthraquinone laxatives stacked is the highest-risk way to use these herbs

Aloe-containing skincare for deep wounds, third-degree burns, or post-surgical incisions without surgeon approval

Frequently asked questions

What is Aloe used for?⌄

Aloe is used traditionally for various supportive purposes. Human evidence for specific health claims is generally limited, so it is best treated as a complementary option rather than a treatment.

Is Aloe safe?⌄

Aloe is generally well tolerated at typical doses, but quality varies between products. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications, or managing a medical condition should check with a healthcare provider first.

How long does it take to work?⌄

Effects of botanical supplements often take several weeks of consistent use, if they appear at all. Reassess after 8-12 weeks of regular use.

References by claim

Oral use as a stimulant laxative (anthraquinone-containing preparations)

IARC Monographs Vol 108, 2016 — International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) (2016) link

NTP Technical Report 577, 2013 — National Toxicology Program (2013) link

FDA 21 CFR 310.545 — Status of certain additional OTC drug ingredients — US Food and Drug Administration (2002) link

Topical use for minor burns and sunburn

Maenthaisong et al., 2007 — PubMed — Burns (2007) link

Hekmatpou et al., 2019 — PMC — Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences (2019) link

NCCIH — Aloe Vera Fact Sheet — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2020) link

Oral inner-leaf gel for type 2 diabetes (glucose lowering)

Suksomboon et al., 2016 — PubMed — Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (2016) link

Safety

Memorial Sloan Kettering — Aloe vera About Herbs — MSKCC Integrative Medicine (2024) link

Other references

Aloe on NIH DSLD — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Track Aloe with Pilora

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Evidence-based·Last reviewed Jun 1, 2026·Evidence current as of Jun 1, 2026·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.