Aloe
Liliaceae
It is widespread in the Mediterranean, East Indies, the Antilles, the east coast of Africa and the Middle East.
The condensed juice.
Dry powder extract and titrate in anthracene derivatives expressed as 19% min and 21% max. barbaloin anhydrate (Italian Pharmacopea X).
Aloe vera
Produced in capsules.
120-300 mg a day of dry extract in one evening dose.
Contains between 15 and 40% of some types of compounds belonging to the anthrachinone glucoside family.
Aids the intestinal process; acts on the skin surface; helps skin rashes and irritation; acts to reinforce the immune defences.
Aloe is well-known for its ability to aid the intestinal process. It may take 12 hours from ingestion of the plant until its positive results are felt because the active constituents have to be decomposed by the bacterial flora in the colon.
In the form of a gel, Aloe has properties which are positive for the skin, for treating burns, sunburn and in all instances where there is a skin rash or irritation. This plant also has positive effects on the capacity of the white corpuscles to surround and destroy germs, viruses and fungus infections.
May cause diarrhea with abdominal pain. Habitual or excessive use may diminish effectiveness. Not suitable for pregnant or breast-feeding women or children under 12 years of age; for patients with intestinal problems, patients with hemorrhoids and/or perianal fistulas or for patients with inflammatory diseases of the uterus or ovaries. It may react with phenoxedil, vincamine or with diuretics which cause loss of potassium.
