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Aloe barbadensis (leaf gel and latex)

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is two different products. The clear inner-leaf gel, put on the skin, probably speeds healing of minor second-degree burns by a few days and is generally well tolerated. The yellow latex and non-decolourised whole-leaf extract, swallowed as a laxative, are a separate matter: the US FDA removed aloe from over-the-counter laxatives in 2002 for lack of safety data, and a US government study found the whole-leaf extract caused large-intestine tumours in rats.

Updated
30 September 2026
A cut aloe vera leaf showing the clear gel
At a glance
Last reviewed 30 September 2026
Evidence
Moderate
Best for
Second-degree burns (gel)
Typical form & use
Inner-leaf gel, applied to skin
Onset
About a week
Safety
Never swallow the latex or whole-leaf extract. 1 known interaction, most serious with digoxin & heart-rhythm medication.
Check with your medications →

What it's used for

Evidence is rated per use. The same ingredient can be strong for one thing and traditional for another.

UseEvidenceWhat the research shows
GEL on skin: second-degree burnsModerateA 2024 meta-analysis of randomised trials found aloe gel shortened healing by 3.76 days (95% CI 1.84 to 5.69) compared with other topical treatments, with no increase in infection. A 2022 meta-analysis of four trials (133 patients) found 4.44 days, and a 2007 review of four trials (371 patients) found a larger 8.79 days but said products and outcomes varied too much for firm conclusions. Pain relief was not clearly better (mean difference -0.76 points, 95% CI -1.53 to 0.01). Trials are small and use different products and comparators, so this stops at moderate.1,3,2
GEL on skin: mild sunburnLimitedIn a randomised, placebo-controlled test in 40 volunteers, a 97.5% aloe gel applied after a measured dose of UVB reduced skin redness at 48 hours, doing better than 1% hydrocortisone in a plain gel (though not as well as hydrocortisone cream). A 20-person trial of a 70% aloe cream found no benefit for sunburn over placebo. Small, short studies of artificial sunburn, so this is limited evidence, but it is a reasonable choice for soothing a mild sunburn.9,10
GEL on skin: wound healing and oral soresLimitedA 2021 systematic review of 23 randomised trials reported that aloe gel accelerated epithelialisation and wound healing in three trials and reduced oral mucositis in three, but found no significant difference in pain scores. It called for better-designed trials. Results were mixed and the pooled analyses were small.4
GEL on skin: psoriasisLimitedNCCIH says topical aloe gel may help people with psoriasis. In the 2021 review, psoriasis severity scores (PASI) were lower with aloe gel in two studies (standardised mean difference -1.32, 95% CI -1.86 to -0.78). Two small studies is thin evidence; it is not a substitute for prescribed treatment.5,4
GEL swallowed: blood sugarLimitedNCCIH reports a small amount of research suggesting oral aloe may lower blood sugar and HbA1c in people with diabetes, and that short-term use of oral gel up to 42 days appears safe. We did not read the trials themselves.5
LATEX or WHOLE LEAF swallowed: constipationTraditionalAloe latex is a traditional stimulant laxative and NCCIH says it causes abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhoea. We found no modern trial evidence we could open to rate it above traditional use. In 2002 the FDA ruled aloe not generally recognised as safe and effective for over-the-counter laxatives because manufacturers supplied no carcinogenicity, genotoxicity or mutagenicity data when asked. Rated on the record of use, not on safety.5,7

How much

Ranges below are what studies used and what supplements commonly contain. They are not a recommendation for you. Start at the low end.

Gel on skin
No standard dose4,5
The reviews we read compared many different products and did not agree a dose or frequency. NCCIH says topical gel is generally well tolerated, with occasional burning, itching, rash and eczema.
Gel swallowed
Up to 42 days studied5
NCCIH says short-term use of oral gel up to 42 days appears safe. No dose is given in the sources we read, and long-term safety is unknown.
Latex laxative
No safe dose established7
The FDA removed aloe from over-the-counter laxatives from November 2002 because safety data were missing.
Timing · For a minor burn the trials applied gel to the burn, but the sources we read do not give a standard schedule. Serious, blistering or large burns need medical care, not a home remedy.With food? · Not applicable to gel on the skin. No source we read gave food guidance for swallowed aloe.How long to trial · In the burn trials healing was measured in days to weeks; a week is a fair point to judge whether a minor burn is improving. If it is not, or it looks infected, see a clinician.

How people take it

Inner-leaf gel, on the skinThin layer; no standard doseThe form with the burn and wound trials. Check the label: aloe as a small part of a cosmetic gel is not what was tested.
Inner-leaf gel or juice, swallowedUp to 42 days studiedNot the same as latex or whole-leaf products. Only a decolourised, low-anthraquinone product is a sensible choice, and even then the evidence is limited.
Latex or whole-leaf extract, swallowedNot recommendedLaxative capsules and 'aloe juice' made from the whole leaf or latex. Linked to acute hepatitis and, in rats, intestinal cancer. Avoid.

Safety

Who should avoid
  • Swallowing latex or non-decolourised whole-leaf extract — carcinogenic in rats, IARC 'possible' carcinogen
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding, by mouth — NCCIH says it may be unsafe
  • Digoxin or other heart glycosides — overuse of latex may raise side-effect risk
  • Liver disease or any oral aloe leaf extract — acute hepatitis reported
  • Deep, large or blistering burns — need medical care, not aloe
Known interactions
CautionDigoxin & heart-rhythm medication — NCCIH says overuse of aloe latex may increase the risk of side effects from cardiac glycosides such as digoxin.

Make it yourself

DIY guides that use aloe vera, with quantities and safety notes.

DIY Face Masks: 5 Simple Recipes with Kitchen IngredientsDIY Hair Mask: 4 Simple Recipes for Dry or Damaged Hair

Questions people ask

Does aloe vera gel heal burns?

For minor second-degree burns, probably a little: meta-analyses of small trials found healing about 4 days faster than with other treatments, with no extra infections. It did not clearly reduce pain, and serious burns need medical care.

Is aloe vera gel good for sunburn?

For a mild sunburn it is a reasonable soothing option: a small controlled test found a high-strength aloe gel reduced UV redness, though a trial of an aloe cream found no benefit. Cool the skin first; if it is blistered or swollen, the NHS advises an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111.

Is it safe to take aloe vera by mouth?

It depends on the product. NCCIH says oral gel appears safe for up to 42 days, but the latex and non-decolourised whole-leaf extract cause cramps and diarrhoea, have been linked to acute hepatitis, and caused large-intestine tumours in rats in a US government study.

Why was aloe removed from over-the-counter laxatives?

In 2002 the FDA ruled aloe ingredients were not generally recognised as safe and effective for this use. It had asked manufacturers for carcinogenicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity data and none was submitted.

Can I use aloe vera when pregnant?

On the skin the sources we read raise no specific concern, but we found no pregnancy safety data. NCCIH says aloe taken by mouth, as gel, latex or whole-leaf extract, may be unsafe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Sources

  1. Systematic review Huang YN, Chen KC, Wang JH, Lin YK. Effects of Aloe vera on Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Burn Care Res. 2024.
  2. Systematic review Maenthaisong R, Chaiyakunapruk N, Niruntraporn S, Kongkaew C. The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review. Burns. 2007.
  3. Systematic review Sharma S, Alfonso AR, Gordon AJ, Kwong J, Lin LJ, Chiu ES. Second-Degree Burns and Aloe Vera: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2022.
  4. Systematic review Gok Metin Z, Helvaci A, Gulbahar Eren M. Effects of Aloe vera in adults with mucocutaneous problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Adv Nurs. 2021.
  5. Regulator/health agency NCCIH. Aloe Vera: Usefulness and Safety. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (last updated February 2025).
  6. Government toxicology study National Toxicology Program. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of a Nondecolorized Whole Leaf Extract of Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Drinking Water Studies). TR-577. 2013.
  7. Regulator ruling US FDA. Status of Certain Additional Over-the-Counter Drug Category II and III Active Ingredients. Federal Register 67(90). 9 May 2002.
  8. Case report Bottenberg MM, Wall GC, Harvey RL, Habib S. Oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis. Ann Pharmacother. 2007.
  9. RCT Reuter J, Jocher A, Stump J, Grossjohann B, Franke G, Schempp CM. Investigation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Aloe vera gel (97.5%) in the ultraviolet erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2008.
  10. RCT Puvabanditsin P, Vongtongsri R. Efficacy of aloe vera cream in prevention and treatment of sunburn and suntan. J Med Assoc Thai. 2005.

Reader notes

Experiences and questions from readers, read by an editor before they appear. They are personal accounts, not evidence, and are not medical advice.

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Last reviewed 30 September 2026 · Next review March 2027 · How we rate evidence