Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel, latex and whole-leaf extract are different products: what NCCIH and FDA say about burns, laxative use, liver reports, animal cancer findings and pregnancy.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
What is Aloe vera good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Burn healing (gel on the skin)
Preliminary or mixedClinical research suggests aloe gel put on the skin may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain.
Supplements: Promising but limited; not a replacement for medical care of serious burns.
Other skin uses (acne, psoriasis, lichen planus)
Preliminary or mixedA small amount of research suggests aloe gel may help some skin conditions; two small acne studies found it may help when combined with other treatments.
Supplements: Evidence is small and mixed.
Blood sugar (by mouth)
Not enough evidenceA small amount of research suggests oral aloe may lower blood sugar and HbA1c in people with diabetes.
Supplements: Not enough reliable evidence; people on diabetes medicine should ask a clinician.
Weight loss (by mouth)
Not enough evidenceOne small 8-week study of one aloe gel product showed a modest drop in weight and fat mass in adults with overweight or obesity and diabetes or prediabetes.
Supplements: Not enough evidence.
Digestive conditions (IBS, ulcerative colitis)
Not enough evidenceNCCIH says there is not enough reliable information on aloe for irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.
Supplements: No reliable evidence of benefit.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Healthy SkinPreliminary or mixed
NCCIH says clinical research suggests aloe gel on the skin may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain; evidence for other skin uses is small. Mostly small studies, so this is promising but not settled.
Body systems (6)
- Hepatic / Liver SystemDocumented risk
NCCIH reports cases of acute hepatitis linked to oral aloe leaf extracts, and two published case reports describe it. Case reports show a possible link, not how common it is.
- Liver & DetoxDocumented risk
NCCIH reports cases of acute hepatitis linked to oral aloe leaf extracts, and two published case reports describe it. Case reports show a possible link, not how common it is.
- Digestive SystemDocumented risk
Aloe latex taken by mouth can cause abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea (NCCIH). FDA found inadequate data on safety and effectiveness of aloe ingredients as over-the-counter laxatives.
- Gut HealthDocumented risk
Aloe latex taken by mouth can cause abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea (NCCIH). FDA found inadequate data on safety and effectiveness of aloe ingredients as over-the-counter laxatives.
- Integumentary SystemPreliminary or mixed
NCCIH says clinical research suggests aloe gel on the skin may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain; evidence for other skin uses is small. Mostly small studies, so this is promising but not settled.
- Skin, Hair & BeautyPreliminary or mixed
NCCIH says clinical research suggests aloe gel on the skin may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain; evidence for other skin uses is small. Mostly small studies, so this is promising but not settled.
Body parts (3)
- LiverDocumented risk
NCCIH reports cases of acute hepatitis linked to oral aloe leaf extracts, and two published case reports describe it. Case reports show a possible link, not how common it is.
- GutDocumented risk
Aloe latex taken by mouth can cause abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea (NCCIH). FDA found inadequate data on safety and effectiveness of aloe ingredients as over-the-counter laxatives.
- SkinPreliminary or mixed
NCCIH says clinical research suggests aloe gel on the skin may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain; evidence for other skin uses is small. Mostly small studies, so this is promising but not settled.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
NCCIH says overuse of aloe latex may increase side effects of heart medicines called cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin. Ask a pharmacist before combining.
Conditions & symptoms (3)
- Acute HepatitisDocumented risk
Oral aloe leaf extracts have been linked to acute hepatitis cases; case reports show a possible link, not how common it is.
- Abdominal CrampsDocumented risk
Oral aloe latex can cause abdominal pain and cramps.
- DiarrheaDocumented risk
Oral aloe latex can cause diarrhea and cramps.
Documented risks and interactions (6)
- Laxative action of aloe latex. Aloe latex acts as a laxative but causes cramps and diarrhea. FDA found inadequate data on its safety and effectiveness as an over-the-counter laxative, and in 2002 required its removal from such products.
- Liver injury (oral leaf extracts). Oral aloe leaf extracts have been linked to cases of acute hepatitis, after as little as 3 weeks to as long as 5 years of use.
- Possible cancer concern (whole-leaf extract). IARC classifies non-decolorized whole-leaf extract as a possible human carcinogen, based on animal studies of the gut in rats and mice. A 2023 review found food-grade drinkable products with aloin at or below 10 ppm were not genotoxic.
- Heart medicine interaction (latex). Overuse of aloe latex may increase side effects of cardiac glycosides such as digoxin.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Aloe taken by mouth (gel, latex or whole-leaf extract) may be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Skin reactions (gel). Gel on the skin is generally well tolerated, with occasional burning, itching, rash and eczema.
Safety first: gel on the skin, latex and whole-leaf extract by mouth are not the same thing. NCCIH (US, 2025) says oral aloe latex can cause abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea. [1] It also says oral aloe leaf extracts, used for as little as 3 weeks and as long as 5 years, have been related to cases of acute hepatitis (liver inflammation). [1] Aloe by mouth in gel, latex or whole-leaf form may be unsafe in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. [1] For liver warning signs and what to do, see the liver safety guide. For poisoning concerns, Poison Help in the US is 1-800-222-1222.
What aloe is and which part matters
GBIF accepts the name Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., family Asphodelaceae. [2] NCCIH lists Aloe vera, Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens and Aloe barbadensis among the Latin names used for products. [1] Products can be made from the gel (inner leaf), the latex (outer layer of the leaf) or the whole crushed leaf, which holds both. [1] These behave differently, so this page keeps them apart. For the skin-care side, see natural skin-care ingredients, and for juice and latex as ingredients, see aloe vera gel, juice and latex.Traditional use
NCCIH says aloe was used in Greece, Rome, Babylonia and China, historically for skin conditions. [1] This is traditional use, not proof of benefit.What research shows
| Use and form | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Who and what was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burns (gel on the skin) | NCCIH: clinical research suggests aloe gel may speed burn healing and reduce burn-related pain. [1] | Promising but limited | People with burns; topical gel |
| Other skin uses (acne, psoriasis, lichen planus and others) | A small amount of research; two small studies suggest gel combined with other treatments may improve acne. [1] | Promising but limited | Topical gel |
| Blood sugar (by mouth) | A small amount of research suggests oral aloe may reduce blood sugar and HbA1c in people with diabetes. [1] | Insufficient evidence | People with diabetes; oral products |
| Constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis | NCCIH says there is not enough reliable information on conditions that include irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. [1] | Insufficient evidence | Not applicable |
| Weight loss | NCCIH says oral aloe is promoted for weight loss. [1] It describes only a small 8-week study of one aloe gel product in adults with obesity or overweight who had diabetes or prediabetes, which showed a modest weight and fat-mass reduction. [1] Proper evidence not found for weight loss in other groups in the sources we read. | Insufficient evidence | Not applicable |
Aloe latex as a laxative
The US FDA's over-the-counter drug rule lists aloe ingredients (aloe, aloe extract, aloe flower extract) among laxative ingredients for which there are "inadequate data to establish general recognition of the safety and effectiveness." [3] NCCIH says a 2002 FDA ruling required manufacturers to remove aloe latex from over-the-counter laxative products because of a lack of safety data. [1] Overuse of latex may increase side effects from heart medicines called cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin. [1] For laxative herbs in general, see herbs for constipation.Whole-leaf extract, animals and cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified non-decolorized whole-leaf extract of aloe vera as a possible human carcinogen. [1] Some animal studies linked that extract by mouth with gastrointestinal cancer in rats and mice, and most animal toxicity and safety studies tested non-decolorized whole-leaf extract, which NCCIH says is not commonly used by consumers. [1] A 2023 review of food-grade drinkable products (aloin at or below 10 parts per million) concluded they were not genotoxic. [1] These are animal and laboratory findings, not proof of what happens in people.Liver reports
Two published case reports describe acute hepatitis in people who took aloe vera preparations, one after four weeks and one resolving fully after the product was stopped. [4][5] Case reports show a possible link, not how common it is. See herbs and liver injury.Frequently asked questions
Is aloe vera gel safe to swallow?
NCCIH says research suggests short-term use of oral aloe gel up to 42 days is safe, but it warns about latex and whole-leaf extracts. [1]
Does aloe vera work as a laxative?
Aloe latex causes cramps and diarrhea. [1] FDA's rule finds inadequate data on the safety and effectiveness of aloe ingredients as over-the-counter laxatives. [3]
Can aloe vera harm the liver?
NCCIH reports acute hepatitis cases linked to oral aloe leaf extracts. [1]
Does aloe vera cause cancer?
IARC classified non-decolorized whole-leaf extract as a possible human carcinogen, based largely on animal studies. [1]
Is aloe vera good for burns?
NCCIH says clinical research suggests aloe gel on the skin may speed burn healing and reduce pain. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety summary
- Gel on skin: generally well tolerated, with occasional burning, itching, rash and eczema. [1]
- Gel by mouth: research suggests short-term use up to 42 days is safe. [1]
- Medicines: tell a pharmacist about everything you take; NCCIH names cardiac glycosides for latex. [1] See how interactions work.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: see above, and pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Children, kidney disease, surgery, allergy: not described in the sources we read.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, US), Aloe Vera: Usefulness and Safety, last updated February 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Aloe vera match record. Read 2026-10-23.
- US Food and Drug Administration, 21 CFR 310.545 (a)(12), Drug products containing certain active ingredients offered over-the-counter for certain uses, electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Read 2026-10-23.
- Lee J, Lee MS, Nam KW. Acute toxic hepatitis caused by an aloe vera preparation in a young patient: a case report with a literature review. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2014. Read 2026-10-23.
- Rabe C, Musch A, Schirmacher P, et al. Acute hepatitis induced by an Aloe vera preparation: a case report. World J Gastroenterol. 2005. Read 2026-10-23.