ALOE VERA
Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant that people have used for thousands of years.
Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, is a thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. It is best known for treating skin injuries, but it also has several other uses that could potentially benefit health.
This article lists eight potential health benefits of aloe vera. It also covers some of the risks associated with use.
- It contains healthful plant compounds
Aloe vera may help treat skin injuries.
The cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries use aloe vera extensively, and the plant has an estimated annual market value of $13 billion globally.
Aloe vera is known for its thick, pointed, and fleshy green leaves, which may grow to about 12–19 inches (30–50 centimeters) in length.
Each leaf contains a slimy tissue that stores water, and this makes the leaves thick. This water filled tissue is the “gel” that people associate with aloe vera products.
The gel contains most of the beneficial bioactive compounds in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.
- It has antioxidant and antibacterial properties
Antioxidants are important for health. Aloe vera gel contains powerful antioxidants belonging to a large family of substances known as polyphenols.
These polyphenols, along with several other compounds in aloe vera, help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans.
Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. This is part of why it may help heal wounds and treat skin problems.
- It accelerates wound healing
People most often use aloe vera as a topical medication, rubbing it onto the skin rather than consuming it. In fact, it has a long history of use in treating sores, and particularly burns, including sunburn.
The United States Pharmacopeia describe aloe vera preparations as a skin protectant as early as 1810–1820.
Studies suggest that it is an effective topical treatment for first and second degree burns.
For example, a review of experimental studies found that aloe vera could reduce the healing time of burns by around 9 days compared with conventional medication. It also helped prevent redness, itching, and infections.
The evidence for aloe vera helping heal other types of wound is inconclusive, but the research is promising.
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- It reduces dental plaque
Tooth decay and diseases of the gum are very common health problems. One of the best ways to prevent these conditions is to reduce the buildup of plaque, or bacterial biofilms, on the teeth.
In a mouth rinse study of 300 healthy people, researchers compared 100% pure aloe vera juice with the standard mouthwash ingredient chlorhexidine.
After 4 days of use, the aloe vera mouth rinse appeared to be just as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque.
Another study found similar benefits of aloe vera mouth rinse over a 15- to 30-day period.
Aloe vera is effective in killing the plaque-producing bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the mouth, as well as the yeast Candida albicans.
- It helps treat canker sores
Many people experience mouth ulcers, or canker sores, at some point in their lives. These usually form underneath the lip, inside the mouth, and last for about a week.
Studies have shown that aloe vera treatment can accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers.
For example, in a 7-day study of 180 people with recurrent mouth ulcers, applying an aloe vera patch to the area was effective in reducing the size of the ulcers.
However, it did not outperform the conventional ulcer treatment: corticosteroids.
In another study, aloe vera gel not only accelerated the healing of mouth ulcers, it also reduced the pain associated with them.
- It reduces constipation
Aloe vera may also help treat constipation.
This time it is the latex, not the gel, that provides the benefits. The latex is a sticky yellow residue present just under the skin of the leaf.
The key compound responsible for this effect is called aloin, or barbaloin, which has well-established laxative effects.
However, people have raised concerns about safety with frequent use. For this reason, aloe latex has not been available in the U.S. as an over-the-counter medication since 2002.
Contrary to popular belief, aloe vera does not appear to be effective against other digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Learn more here.
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- It may improve skin and prevent wrinkles
There is some preliminary evidence to suggest that topical aloe vera gel can slow aging of the skin.
In a 2009 study of 30 females over the age of 45, taking oral aloe vera gel increased collagen production and improved skin elasticity over a 90-day period.
Reviews also suggest that aloe vera could help the skin retain moisture and improve skin integrity, which could benefit dry skin conditions.
Read more about aloe vera’s effects on the skin here:
aloe vera for acne
aloe vera for psoriasis
aloe vera for eczema
- It lowers blood sugar levels
People sometimes use aloe vera as a remedy for diabetes. This is because it may enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management.
For example, a review of eight studies found that aloe vera could have benefits for people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes due to its effects on glycemic control.
However, the quality of the existing studies is not ideal, so scientists do not currently recommend using aloe vera for this purpose.
Risks
Aloe vera is a safe remedy with few known side effects.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) say that topical use is likely safe.
That said, the oral use of aloe vera may cause stomach cramps or diarrhea due to its laxative effects. There have also been some reports of liver damage associated with long-term aloe vera supplement use.
The NCCIH also report that nondecolorized whole leaf extract of aloe vera seems to be associated with cancer risk in rats.
Summary
Aloe vera has a range of therapeutic properties, especially as an ointment for the skin and gums.
People can use bottled aloe vera gel or take it directly from the leaf of an aloe plant. Aloe vera juice has different uses to aloe vera gel.
Oral options should contain decolorized whole leaf extract of aloe vera to minimize risk.
A person should always speak to a doctor before using aloe products to treat a condition.
SHOP FOR ALOE VERA PRODUCTS
Various aloe vera products are available to purchase in health food stores or online:
aloe vera gel
aloe vera juice
aloe vera supplements
aloe vera oil
aloe vera powder
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Last medically reviewed on April 13, 2020
DermatologyNutrition / DietComplementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
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Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. — Written by Joe Leech, MS — Updated on May 14, 2020
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What to know about neuropathic itch
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Risks and complications
Outlook
Summary
A neuropathic itch is an itch that results from nervous system damage rather than issues with the skin.
Itching is a normal sensation to experience from time to time. However, when an itch results from nervous system damage, doctors call it a neuropathic itch.
A neuropathic itch can feel different than a normal itching sensation. It can occur for various reasons, including stroke. Scratching may not provide relief from this type of itch.
Below, we look at the symptoms, causes, and treatment of neuropathic itch. We also discuss the outlook for people with this condition.
What is a neuropathic itch?
zoranm/Getty Images
A neuropathic itch happens when there is damage to the nervous system.
Damage to either the central or peripheral nervous system can cause a neuropathic itch, according to an older article from 2010.
While a regular itch results from some kind of issue with the skin, a neuropathic itch has a different, deeper origin.
Symptoms
A neuropathic itch may produce an itching sensation or a feeling of pins and needles. The itching may be very severe.
Neuropathic itch may also produce the following sensations:
burning
wetness
electric shocks
pain
numbness
crawling
severe cold
Some people with neuropathic itch may also experience other symptoms such as:
prickling and chilling of the skin
increase in skin sensitivity
decrease in skin sensitivity
In people with neuropathic itch, scratching can also make the itch worse.
Causes
There is very little understanding of the bodily mechanisms that create itching sensations.
Research suggests that lesions in the nervous system that damage itch-related neurons may cause neuropathic itch. Conditions and diseases that may cause neuropathic itch include:
notalgia paresthetica, which is nerve pain that may involve itching of the back
brachioradial pruritus, a nerve disorder that affects the arms
peripheral neuropathy, the term for damage to the peripheral nerves that often produces symptoms in the hands and feet
nerve irritation
shingles
stroke
diabetes
vitamin deficiencies
toxin exposure
trigeminal trophic syndrome, a rare condition that happens because of trigeminal nerve damage
burns or keloids
spinal tumor
brain tumor
multiple sclerosis
Diagnosis
Doctors may have difficulty diagnosing neuropathic itch, as they may initially assume that the problem is skin-related.
However, a dermatologist can rule out any dermatological causes of itching.
Doctors usually prescribe topical treatments to people who present with itching. They may suspect neuropathic itch when these treatments do not work.
However, it can be tough to find the exact cause. If traditional anti-itch therapies do not work, people should consult a neurologist.
Doctors may perform a skin biopsy to check for neuropathic itch.
Treatment
Treating neuropathic itch is difficult because most anti-itch medications do not provide relief.
Treatments typically involve local anesthetics or physical barriers to prevent scratching, as scratching too much or too hard can cause painful lesions or other unintentional self-injury.
Other treatments and therapies may include:
lidocaine creams or patches
anti-seizure drugs, such as gabapentin
botox injections
neurostimulation techniques
some antidepressants
acupuncture
meditation and mindfulness
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Other behavioral interventions may include:
cutting the fingernails
wearing protective garments
applying moisturizer regularly
avoiding warm or hot temperatures
wearing loose clothing
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