Aloe vera
Useful mainly for short-term constipation relief, or topical use for minor burns and wounds.
Quick decision guide
May help most
Short-term constipation relief, or topical use for minor burns and wounds
Common dosing range
30–100 mL purified inner-leaf juice/day, or 100–300 mg extract; apply gel topically
When to expect effects
Hours for laxative effect; days for topical healing
Watch out for
Oral aloe latex (whole-leaf, aloin-containing) can cause severe diarrhea and is unsafe
What is it
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a succulent plant whose inner leaf gel and latex have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Topically, it is widely used for skin healing; orally, products vary widely in composition and intended use.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
short-term constipation Good Evidence | Reliable stimulant laxative effect | Adults needing short-term relief of constipation | Hours |
topical wound and burn healing Limited Evidence | Modest, faster healing of minor burns/wounds | People with minor burns, abrasions, or superficial wounds | Days |
ulcerative colitis Limited Evidence | Preliminary, modest | People with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis under medical care | Weeks |
oral health (lichen planus, plaque) Limited Evidence | Modest, preliminary | People with oral lichen planus or seeking adjunct plaque control | Weeks |
short-term constipation
- Effect
- Reliable stimulant laxative effect
- Best fit
- Adults needing short-term relief of constipation
- Time
- Hours
topical wound and burn healing
- Effect
- Modest, faster healing of minor burns/wounds
- Best fit
- People with minor burns, abrasions, or superficial wounds
- Time
- Days
ulcerative colitis
- Effect
- Preliminary, modest
- Best fit
- People with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis under medical care
- Time
- Weeks
oral health (lichen planus, plaque)
- Effect
- Modest, preliminary
- Best fit
- People with oral lichen planus or seeking adjunct plaque control
- Time
- Weeks
Evidence for 4 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
short-term constipation
Supplement benefitAloe latex contains anthraquinones (mainly aloin) that act as stimulant laxatives by increasing intestinal motility and water content. The laxative effect is well established, but aloin-containing products were removed from OTC laxatives in the US over safety concerns including potential carcinogenicity, so use should be brief. Decolorized inner-leaf juice lacks this laxative action.
Bottom line: Effective for short-term constipation, but anthraquinone aloe is not for ongoing use.
topical wound and burn healing
Supplement benefitTopical aloe gel may modestly speed healing of minor burns and wounds via increased fibroblast activity, collagen synthesis, and mild anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical evidence is limited and of variable quality, with small studies suggesting benefit for first- and second-degree burns. It is not a substitute for proper care of serious wounds.
Bottom line: May modestly aid healing of minor burns and wounds, though trial evidence is limited.
Evidence is mixed
Small clinical trials are mixed in quality and outcome measures, so the size of any healing benefit is uncertain.
ulcerative colitis
Disease adjunctA small randomized trial of oral aloe vera gel suggested improvement in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis versus placebo, but evidence is preliminary and limited to purified inner-leaf gel. It should only be considered as an adjunct under clinician supervision, not a replacement for standard treatment.
Bottom line: Preliminary support as an adjunct in mild ulcerative colitis; evidence is limited.
oral health (lichen planus, plaque)
Supplement benefitTopical aloe gel has shown modest benefit for oral lichen planus symptoms and as an adjunct for dental plaque and gingivitis in small studies. Evidence is preliminary and trials are small, so it is a reasonable adjunct rather than a primary therapy.
Bottom line: May modestly help oral lichen planus and plaque, but evidence is preliminary.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
4 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Inner leaf gel (topical)
Most widely used form. Look for products with high aloe content and minimal added ingredients.
Applied directly to skin; absorption to systemic circulation is minimal.
Decolorized inner leaf juice (oral)
The preferred oral form. Look for 'decolorized' or 'IASC certified' labels.
Anthraquinones largely removed; reduces laxative effect and safety concerns.
Acemannan extract
Used in some specialized supplements and topical wound products.
Concentrated polysaccharide fraction studied for immune effects.
Whole leaf juice (not recommended for oral use)
Avoid for oral consumption; risk of diarrhea, electrolyte loss, and possible carcinogenicity with long-term use.
Contains anthraquinones with significant safety concerns.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Serious risks
Severe diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney damage from aloin-containing oral aloe
Intestinal cancer association in animal studies for non-decolorized aloe
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women (oral)
- People with IBD, kidney disease, or electrolyte imbalance
- Children (oral)
- Anyone using oral aloe latex / whole-leaf products
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid oral aloe in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to laxative effects and uterine-stimulation concerns.
Interactions
Aloe-induced potassium loss can increase glycoside toxicity
Additive potassium depletion
Laxative effect may reduce drug absorption
May lower blood glucose
Food sources
| Food | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Inner aloe leaf gel (1 tbsp fresh) | approx 14 grams gel | — |
| Decolorized aloe juice (1 oz) | approx 30 mL | — |
Inner aloe leaf gel (1 tbsp fresh)
- Amount
- approx 14 grams gel
- %DV
- —
Decolorized aloe juice (1 oz)
- Amount
- approx 30 mL
- %DV
- —
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drink aloe vera juice?⌄
Decolorized inner leaf juice (with anthraquinones removed) is generally safe. Whole leaf or non-decolorized juice can cause diarrhea and has safety concerns; avoid it for ongoing consumption.
Does aloe help heal burns?⌄
Yes. Topical aloe gel has reasonable evidence for accelerating healing of minor burns and minor wounds, and provides cooling relief.
Can aloe help with constipation?⌄
Aloe latex (containing anthraquinones) is a strong stimulant laxative. However, long-term use is no longer recommended due to safety concerns including potential carcinogenicity in animal studies.
Is aloe safe during pregnancy?⌄
Topical use is generally considered safe. Oral aloe should be avoided during pregnancy due to potential uterine-stimulating and laxative effects.
What is the difference between whole leaf and inner leaf aloe?⌄
Whole leaf includes the latex layer with anthraquinones, which act as harsh laxatives. Inner leaf excludes the latex and is gentler and safer for oral consumption.
References by claim
Track Aloe vera with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: 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.