Aloe vera is a member of the lily family and is native to Africa. While creams and ointments that contain aloe are sold in the pharmacy, efficacy depends on using the fresh gel from the leaf.
To treat most burns: Put the burned area under cold water. Then, open the leaf of the aloe vera plant and apply the gel and liquid immediately.
To Treat Fevers: Place the gel on your forehead.
To treat inflamed intestines or constipation: Take a spoonful of the pulp of the plant 2 times a day. Don’t eat too much as it can cause cramping!
Constipation causes hemorrhoids. Place a piece of aloe leaf gel just inside the anus for the night, every night, until the symptoms disappear.
The yellow fluid that emerges upon cutting the leaf must be distinguished from the gel as they each contain different properties and hence have different effects on the body. This yellow fluid is a purgative (causes bowel movement and release) and provides a different effect than the transparent gel itself.
Beginning in the 1930s, in the United States, Aloe vera was applied to burns due to radiation exposure and demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain and healing burn ulcers. This research showed that the fresh leaf gel was efficacious in contrast to prepared and preserved ointments.
Clinical studies have suggested that A. vera gel may act as a safe antihyperglycemic and antihypercholesterolemic agent for type 2 diabetic patients without any significant effects on other normal blood lipid levels or liver/kidney function (Radha 2015).
Aloe gel has also been used to speed healing after gum surgery, and stomach ulcers.
Boudreau, M. D., & Beland, F. A. (2006). An Evaluation of the Biological and Toxicological Properties ofAloe Barbadensis(Miller), Aloe Vera. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C, 24(1), 103–154. https://doi.org/10.1080/10590500600614303
Radha, M. H., & Laxmipriya, N. P. (2015). Evaluation of biological properties and clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera: A systematic review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 5(1), 21–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2014.10.006
Jesús: Mom! I burned my hand! Ouch! That really hurts!
Sra. Pérez: Don’t cry little one.
Jesús: Are you going to put butter on it?
Sra. Pérez: No, those things really aren’t good for burns. Put your hand under some cold water as I go look for some Aloe vera.
Jesús: Ah… it doesn’t feel so bad when I put it under the water.
Sra. Pérez: Good. Now that I have the Aloe vera cut and ready, let me have your hand.
Jesús: It’s a good thing we have aloe vera on hand.
Sra. Pérez: Yes, why do you think everybody keeps aloe vera at the front door? Aloe vera is really good for healing a lot of things like hemorrhoids, ulcers, and other skin problems. Now how do you feel? Does it still hurt a lot?
Jesús: It almost doesn’t hurt at all. Thank you, mom.
Throughout Mexico, people place an Aloe vera plant at the entrance of their house to bring good luck and protection.