Aloe vera () is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It is widely distributed, and is considered an invasive species in many world regions.
The leaves of Aloe vera contain significant amounts of the polysaccharide gel acemannan, which can be used for topical purposes. The leaves also contain aloin, which is a toxic compound. Aloe vera products are typically made from the gel.
Aloe vera acemannan may be used in skin lotions, cosmetics, ointments and gels for minor burns, skin abrasions, insect bites, and windburn.
Oral ingestion of aloe vera extracts may cause acute abdominal pain and cramps, and hepatitis if consumed chronically.
Etymology
thumb|alt=Aloe Vera houseplant|Teeth on the leaf edges
The genus name Aloe is derived from the Arabic word alloeh, meaning "bitter and shiny substance" or from Hebrew ahalim, plural of ahal. The specific epithet vera comes from verus meaning "true" in Latin.
Common names
Common names use aloe with a region of its distribution, such as Chinese aloe, Cape aloe or Barbados aloe. Some literature identifies the white-spotted form of Aloe vera as Aloe vera var. chinensis; and the spotted form of Aloe vera may be conspecific with A. massawana. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Aloe perfoliata var. vera, and was described again in 1768 by Nicolaas Laurens Burman as Aloe vera in Flora Indica on 6 April and by Philip Miller as Aloe barbadensis some ten days after Burman in the Gardener's Dictionary.
Techniques based on DNA comparison suggest Aloe vera is relatively closely related to Aloe perryi, a species endemic to Yemen. Similar techniques, using chloroplast DNA sequence comparison and inter simple sequence repeat profiling have also suggested it is closely related to Aloe forbesii, Aloe inermis, Aloe scobinifolia, Aloe sinkatana, and Aloe striata. With the exception of the South African species A. striata, these Aloe species are native to Socotra (Yemen), Somalia, and Sudan.
Description
thumb|right|Spotted forms, also named Aloe vera var. chinensis
thumb|Historical image from [[Acta Eruditorum, 1688]]
Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed plant growing to tall, spreading by offsets. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth.
Aloe vera leaves contain phytochemicals under study for possible bioactivity, such as lignans, phytosterols, polyphenols, acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthraquinones C-glycosides, anthrones, and other anthraquinones, such as emodin and various lectins.
Flowers
The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla long.
Roots
Like other Aloe species, Aloe vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, a root symbiosis that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients from the soil.
Distribution
Aloe vera is considered to be native to the south-east Arabian Peninsula in the Hajar Mountains in north-eastern Oman and eastern U.A.E. However, it has been widely cultivated around the world, and has become naturalized in North Africa, as well as Sudan and neighboring countries, along with the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira Islands. and in wild areas across Spain, especially in the region of Murcia.
The species was introduced to China and various parts of southern Europe in the 17th century. It is widely naturalized elsewhere, occurring in arid, temperate, and tropical regions of temperate continents. The current distribution may be the result of cultivation.
Cultivation
right|thumb|As an [[ornamental plant]]
<!--its Aloe maculata on the pic, not A. vera
right|thumb|Aloe vera plant with mite infection-->
Aloe vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. The species is popular with modern gardeners as a topical medicinal plant The species is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though spider mites, mealy bugs, scale insects, and aphid species may cause a decline in plant health. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
In pots, the species requires well-drained, sandy potting soil, and bright, sunny conditions. Aloe plants can turn red from sunburn under too much direct sun, though gradual acclimation may help. The use of a good-quality commercial propagation mix or packaged "cacti and succulent mix" is recommended, as they allow good drainage. Terra cotta pots are preferable as they are porous. Cuba, the Dominican Republic, China, Mexico, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Spain, and the United States, with much of the output going toward the cosmetics industry.
There is conflicting evidence regarding whether Aloe vera is effective as a treatment for wounds or burns. On the other hand, Aloe vera compared favorably to silver sulfadiazine in treating second- and third-degree burns in a 2022 meta-analysis, and a 2023 review found it an effective basis for medical hydrogels.
Aloe vera gel is used commercially as an ingredient in yogurts, beverages, and some desserts, Use of topical aloe vera in small amounts is likely to be safe.
Aloe vera and its (alcohol) extracts have potential toxicity, with side effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested and when applied topically. Chronic ingestion of aloe (dose of 1 gram per day)<!-- drugs.com points to PMID19782820, which in turn points to NatMed, a subscription-only source --> cause adverse effects, including hematuria, weight loss, and cardiac or kidney disorders. The extracts and quantities typically used for such purposes are associated with toxicity in a dose-dependent way.
Commodities
Aloe vera is used on facial tissues where it is promoted as a moisturizer and anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose. Cosmetic companies commonly add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, or shampoos. possibly resulting from the anthraquinones.
Use of aloe vera on the skin is generally not associated with significant side effects.