Aloe extract can come in the form of a gel or juice, with the gel being used for topical skin conditions and the juice as an oral supplement. Aloe vera is the only variety with medicinal properties, and its use in traditional medicine dates back thousands of years. While aloe extract is well-established as a skin treatment and mild laxative, claims of other benefits are unsubstantiated and require further research.
Aloe extract can refer to two products of the aloe vera plant. One type of aloe extract is a gel that is excreted from the broken leaves of the plant. The other type, also called aloe juice, is a latex that comes from the inner surface of aloe leaves. Aloe gel has a wide variety of topical uses for minor skin conditions such as sunburns and minor cuts, while aloe juice is sold as an oral nutritional supplement.
Aloe is a succulent plant that is native to the Mediterranean and is now cultivated throughout the world. It has large, thick, sword-shaped leaves with jagged edges, and can grow up to 39 inches (99 cm) tall. Older plants may have yellow or orange flowers. There are many varieties of aloe, but only aloe vera, or true aloe, is believed to have medicinal properties. Its use as a healing plant in traditional medicine dates back thousands of years.
The gel form of aloe extract can be obtained by squeezing a cut leaf of the plant. This gel can be applied directly to the skin. Aloe vera gel is used to soothe and reduce damage caused by sunburn and other minor burns. It can also be used on minor cuts and scrapes, where it is believed to speed healing. Aloe extract is a common ingredient in creams and lotions due to its moisturizing properties. It is also sold in natural first aid products, either in its pure form or in creams or ointments that contain other ingredients.
Aloe latex extract is a yellow juice or sap that is derived from aloe leaves. The juice is usually dried after extraction to make crystals, which are sold as tablets or dietary supplements. The active ingredients in aloe latex are anthroquinone glycosides, which work as a digestive cathartic. Aloe latex is most commonly used as a mild laxative, and can be found in some over-the-counter medications.
The use of aloe extract as a skin treatment and laxative is well established, but many other claims of the plant’s benefits, including cancer prevention and AIDS treatment, are unsubstantiated. While early studies indicate that aloe extract may be helpful in more serious skin ailments, such as psoriasis and genital herpes, more research is needed for conclusive evidence. The use of aloe latex supplements to treat conditions such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and HIV have not been sufficiently studied in humans to determine their effectiveness.
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