Aloe Vera in Traditional Herbal Medicine

Aloe Vera in Traditional Herbal Medicine

No one is really sure how far back our use of aloe goes but the earliest recorded account of aloe dates to around 2200 BCE. The ancient Egyptians used aloe, as did the ancient Greeks. In fact, one legend tells us that Alexander the Great was urged to conquer the island of Socotra just so his troops could have a steady supply of this wound remedy.

Botanically, the species of aloe used most often in herbal medicine is known as Aloe vera. You may think of aloe as a Southwestern plant but, actually, aloe didn't reach the Americas until relatively recently. Aloe is native to small areas of the Mediterranean but today grows wild in dry, sunny areas around the world.

Aloe vera in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, aloe is known as Kumari, or "young girl", because aloe is believed to bring back youthful energy and femininity. Not surprising is aloe's use as a tonic for the female reproductive system.

Aloe is seen in Ayurveda as having alliterative, tonic, rejuvenating, purgative and vulnerary actions. Aloe is believed to tone the liver, spleen, blood and reproductive organs. Aloe is also believed to tone all three of the Ayurveda constitutions, Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha, though in large doses, it can worsen Vatta conditions.

Aloe vera in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese herbalism, aloe is considered a food to reduce toxic heat. Like their Ayurvedic peers, Chinese herbalists recognized aloe's potential as a purgative; they used aloe to expel worms, alleviate constipation and normalize bowel movements.

Aloe in Traditional European Herbalism

Though Aloe vera is native to the Mediterranean region, aloe didn't find its way into widespread use in Europe until around 1000 CE. But after its introduction, aloe quickly became a mainstay of European medicine and became the purgative of choice for various ailments.

Aloe in Native American Healing

Aloe vera was only introduced to the Americas in the 1500s but today, aloe is extensively cultivated in warmer areas of both North and South America, as well as the islands of the Caribbean.

Little is known of aloe's role in Native American healing and much of what we do know almost certainly borrows heavily from the information shared by the Spanish explorers who brought aloe with them. As you might expect, modern Native healers use aloe in many of the same ways as their European counterparts.

Aloe in Modern Herbalism

Recently, Aloe vera, and extracts made from it, has become the subject of a number of scientific studies. One of the most exciting areas is in the field of type 2 diabetes. Other aloe studies have looked (with varying degrees of success) at aloe's potential as a cancer preventative, wound healer and burn remedy.

Aloe vera is also considered a mild laxative and that seems to be its most popular internal use among modern herbalists. The use of aloe as an oral medication isn't without controversy, though, and many feel that aloe supplements should be removed from the market altogether.

References:

Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.

Frawley, D., Lad, V. (1986). The Yoga of Herbs.

Lu, H. (1986). Chinese Natural Cures.

Alcocer-Varela, J., Inglesias, A., Llorente, L., Alarcon-Segovia, D. (1985). Effects of L-canavanine on T cells may explain the induction of systemic lupus erythematosus by alfalfa.

Rajasekaran, S., Sriram, N., Arulselvan, P., Subramanian, S. (2007). Effect of aloe vera leaf gel extract on membrane bound phosphatases and lysosomal hydrolases in rats with streptozotocin diabetes.