Aloe Vera
Also known as aloe barbadensis, aloe gel, aloe leaf, aloe vera
Key takeaways
- Aloe vera is effective for the prevention and treatment of infusion phlebitis (PMID: 24895299).
- Aloe sterol supplementation improves skin elasticity and hydration over 12 weeks (PMID: 28088806, PMID: 32515040).
- Aloe vera gel is effective as a burn wound dressing, comparable to 1% silver sulphadiazine (PMID: 23894900).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 13 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Aloe vera is a plant-derived substance used primarily for topical skin healing and hydration. Research generally indicates positive outcomes for burn treatment and skin moisture, though results for surgical wound healing and radiation prophylaxis are mixed.
By condition
Burn Wound Healing
Moderate
Systematic reviews and RCTs suggest aloe vera is effective for burn healing, with some studies showing efficacy comparable to silver sulphadiazine cream.
Skin Hydration and Elasticity
Moderate
Oral aloe sterol supplementation has been shown to improve skin moisture, collagen scores, and elasticity in double-blind RCTs.
Infusion Phlebitis
Strong
A large-scale meta-analysis supports the use of aloe vera for the prevention and treatment of infusion phlebitis.
Radiation-Induced Skin Toxicity
Weak
Evidence is conflicting, with some studies supporting its prophylactic use and others showing no significant difference compared to mild soap.
Surgical Wound Healing
Insufficient
Results are contradictory, ranging from accelerated healing in skin grafts to delayed healing in cesarean wounds.
Effective doses
Specific dosages for topical gels vary by product; oral aloe sterol was studied in 12-week double-blind RCTs, but specific milligram dosages were not provided in the abstracts.
Safety & interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications were listed in the provided study abstracts.
Limitations
Research is fragmented across different delivery methods (topical vs. oral) and shows inconsistent results regarding surgical wound healing and radiation skin reactions.
Top-rated Aloe Vera products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
Drug–supplement interactions
1 documented interaction
| Drug | Severity | Mechanism | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants | Moderate | Oral aloe vera may have antiplatelet properties and increase bleeding risk. | possible |
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 205 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 13 sources, sorted by quality
**Zheng et al., 2014** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Zheng Guo Hua, Yang Liu, ... Mei Lijuan. Aloe vera for prevention and treatment of infusion phlebitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014-Jun-04;2014(6):CD009162. doi:10.1002…
**Molazem et al., 2014** | Glob J Health Sci | Rct Molazem Zahra, Mohseni Fatemeh, ... Keshavarzi Sareh. Aloe vera gel and cesarean wound healing; a randomized controlled clinical trial. Glob J Health Sci. 2014-Aug-31;7(1):203-9. doi:10.553…
**Zago et al., 2021** | Braz J Biol | Systematic Review Zago L R, Prado K, ... Pereira M M. The use of babosa (Aloe vera) in treating burns: a literature review. Braz J Biol. 2021;83:e249209. doi:10.1590/1519-6984.249209 Alo vera is a cente…
**Burusapat et al., 2018** | Plast Reconstr Surg | Systematic Review Burusapat Chairat, Supawan Monlada, ... Suwantemee Chaichoompol. Topical Aloe Vera Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Double-Bl…
**Maenthaisong et al., 2007** | Burns | Systematic Review Maenthaisong Ratree, Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn, ... Kongkaew Chuenjid. The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review. Burns. 2007-Sep;33(6):713-8 Aloe vera …
**Tanaka et al., 2016** | Skin Pharmacol Physiol | Rct Tanaka Miyuki, Yamamoto Yuki, ... Furukawa Fukumi. Effects of Aloe Sterol Supplementation on Skin Elasticity, Hydration, and Collagen Score: A 12-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controll…
**Kaminaka et al., 2020** | J Dermatol | Rct Kaminaka Chikako, Yamamoto Yuki, ... Jinnin Masatoshi. Effects of low-dose Aloe sterol supplementation on skin moisture, collagen score and objective or subjective symptoms: 12-week, double-blind…
**Shahzad et al., 2013** | J Pak Med Assoc | Rct Shahzad Muhammad Naveed, Ahmed Naheed. Effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel compared with 1% silver sulphadiazine cream as burn wound dressing in second degree burns. J Pak Med Assoc. 2013-Feb;63(2…
**NCT ID**: NCT05327049 **Phase**: NA **Status**: COMPLETED **Enrollment**: 45 **Completion**: 2021-10-11
**Williams et al., 1996** | Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys | Rct Williams M S, Burk M, ... Eggleston W D. Phase III double-blind evaluation of an aloe vera gel as a prophylactic agent for radiation-induced skin toxicity. Int J Radiat Oncol Bi…
Frequently asked questions
What is Aloe Vera and what is it primarily used for?
Aloe vera is a plant-derived substance mainly used for topical skin healing, hydration, and burn treatment. Research indicates it is effective for improving skin moisture and elasticity, particularly when taken as an oral supplement, and for treating burn wounds.
Does Aloe Vera help with burn wound healing?
Yes, there is moderate evidence that aloe vera is effective for burn healing, with some studies showing results comparable to silver sulphadiazine cream. It is often used as a dressing to support the healing process of burns.
Can Aloe Vera prevent or treat infusion phlebitis?
Yes, there is strong evidence from a large-scale meta-analysis supporting the use of aloe vera for the prevention and treatment of infusion phlebitis. This makes it a well-supported option for managing vein inflammation caused by intravenous lines.
Does Aloe Vera improve skin hydration and elasticity?
Yes, moderate evidence from double-blind RCTs shows that oral aloe sterol supplementation can improve skin moisture, collagen scores, and elasticity over a 12-week period. These benefits are specifically linked to the sterol component of the plant.
Is Aloe Vera effective for radiation-induced skin toxicity?
The evidence for this use is weak and conflicting. Some studies suggest it may help with prophylaxis, while others show no significant difference compared to mild soap, so research is mixed regarding its efficacy for this condition.
Does Aloe Vera interact with blood thinners or anticoagulants?
Yes, there is a moderate severity interaction where oral aloe vera may have antiplatelet properties that increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants. Individuals on these medications should consult a healthcare provider before use.
Who should avoid taking Aloe Vera supplements?
People taking anticoagulants should avoid oral aloe vera due to increased bleeding risks. Additionally, because research on surgical wound healing is insufficient and contradictory, and specific safety data for pregnant individuals is not provided, consulting a healthcare provider is essential before use.