Aloe vera is a natural product that has been used for its beauty and medicinal properties for centuries. It has been frequently used in over-the-counter (OTC) medications and in the field of cosmetology. Though there are various indications for its use, the plant's properties and mechanisms of action must be known to determine its real efficacy.

One needs to learn about the plant's history first to understand its global popularity.

The plant's history

The first record of an Aloe vera plant is on a stone tablet from around 2100 BC, though there is proof suggesting that it had been in use long before to treat a wide variety of sicknesses. For millennia, the succulent was used for medicinal purposes in Egypt, Greece, Mexico, India, China, and Japan. It was a favorite in the cultures of Rome, Greece, and Egypt, where queens Cleopatra and Nefertiti used it in their daily beauty routine. It is likely that the said cultures used Aloe vera for thousands of years before its use was ever recorded.

Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat injuries of soldiers. Aloe vera was used as a laxative by the early 1800s in the United States; however, in the mid-1930s, it was successfully used to treat chronic and severe radiation dermatitis (skin irritation), which created a turning point in the plant's existence, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Active components, properties

According to research conducted by Suseela Lanka from the Department of Biotechnology, Krishna University, Aloe vera is known to contain 75 active constituents: enzymes, vitamins, sugars, minerals, lignin, salicylic acids, amino acids, and saponins.

Enzymes: The plant contains 8 enzymes: amylase, aliiase, bradykinase, alkaline phosphatase, catalase, carboxypeptidase, lipase, cellulase, and peroxidase. Bradykinase reduces excessive inflammation when applied to the skin, while the other components help in breaking down sugars and fats.

Vitamins: It contains vitamins A, E, and C, which help as antioxidants, in addition to vitamin B12, choline, and folic acid. 

Sugars: The plant provides polysaccharides (glucomannans/polymannose) and monosaccharides (glucose and fructose). A glycoprotein with antiallergic properties has been isolated from Aloe vera gel.

Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, phenolic compounds known as laxatives. Emodin and Aloin act as antibacterials, analgesics, and antivirals.

Fatty acids: It provides four plant steroids that have anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as analgesic and antiseptic properties. Those are campesterol, cholesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. 

Hormones: Gibberellins and auxins that have the effect of wound-healing and an anti-inflammatory effect.

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Minerals: It provides chromium, calcium, selenium, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and sodium, all of which are vital for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in various metabolic pathways, not to mention that few are antioxidants.

Others: Aloe vera also provides 20 of the 22 human-required amino acids and seven out of the eight vital amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Aloe vera's therapeutic effects

Debra Rose Wilson, a researcher, professor, and holistic healthcare practitioner, wrote on the Healthline website that Aloe vera relieves heartburn and slows the spread of breast cancer, mentioning that researchers recently started unveiling the benefits of this universal plant, which Egyptians called "the plant of immortality." It is no surprise it is given this name because of the therapeutic effects it has, as shown below, according to several studies:

Antibacterial activities: A study conducted by the Department of Microbiology & Microbial Technology, College of Biotechnology & Allied Sciences in India shows that Aloe vera gel and its identified compounds having a promising antibacterial activity could be used as an alternative herbal therapy. These compounds have also been reported to have several other advantages on health and insignificant side effects in overdoses. As global antibiotic resistance by bacteria is becoming an interesting public health concern, Aloe vera can be used against various bacterial pathogens. 

Anti-aging and moisturizing effect: Not only does Aloe vera gel have an anti-acne effect, but it is rich in mucopolysaccharides that help keep the skin moist. It stimulates fibroblasts to create collagen responsible for making the skin less wrinkled. The amino acids in Aloe gel also soften hard skin cells. The zinc acts as an astringent and tightens the pores. 

Antiseptic effect: The plant has 6 antiseptic agents, salicylic acid, Lupeol, cinnamonic acid, urea nitrogen, sulfur, and phenols, all exhibiting inhibitory action that fights fungi, viruses, and bacteria.

Laxative effect: Anthraquinones in latex are a potent laxative. They increase intestinal water content, stimulate mucus secretion, and increase intestinal involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles.

Effects on the immune system: The alprogen inhibits the influx of calcium to mast cells, thus inhibiting the antigen-antibody-mediated release of histamine and leukotriene from said cells. A study on mice that were previously implanted with murine sarcoma cells showed an immune attack that resulted in regression of the cancerous cells.

Effects on skin exposure to UV and gamma radiation: While many do not know it, reports have proven that Aloe vera has a protective effect against radiation that damages the skin. Studies show that administration of Aloe prevents UV-induced suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Aloe vera Juice effects: Aloe vera's superpowers do not kick in only when it is applied to the skin or used for therapeutical reasons, but also upon its consumption. “Aloe is an unassuming plant,” says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. The juice relieves constipation, reduces heartburn, maintains eye health, and due to the antioxidants, the juice reduces the chances of developing heart diseases and diabetes. Not only that, but it is also a low-calorie option! However, elderly and sick people are not advised to consume it, as it causes irregular heartbeat and fatigue if it lowers the levels of potassium in the body.

Healing effects: The topical and oral administration of Aloe vera stimulates fibroblasts to act and proliferate, which increases collagen synthesis. Studies showed that Aloe gel not only boosts the collagen content of the wound but also increases the degree of collagen cross-linking, which leads to an acceleration of wound contraction and an increase in the breaking strength of resulting scar tissue.

The risks

It is true that Aloe vera is a safe remedy with very few side effects, but one has to know what such effects could be, and in which cases. 

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says that topical use that treats cold sores, rash, or itching,  is likely safe.

However, the oral use of Aloe vera may result in stomach cramps or diarrhea due to the plant's laxative effects. Some reports also reported effects like liver damage associated with long-term Aloe vera supplement use.

According to Mayoclinic, Aloe latex or whole-leaf extract taken orally can be unsafe and is likely unsafe in high doses. Taking 1 gram a day of Aloe latex for several days leads to acute kidney failure and can be fatal. Aloe latex might also have the potential to cause cancer.

Why Aloe?

Due to the unlimited therapeutical benefits Aloe vera has, one should not ignore such a low-cost plant, that can be very useful at times when global inflation and the global economic crises are resulting in an alarming shortage of medicines across the world. Aloe might not be a way to treat some diseases, but obviously, its benefits can avoid many from happening.

As for the succulent's cosmetological importance, it has unbelievable beauty secrets. Cleopatra enhanced her charms with a gel scooped from inside the leaves of Aloe vera. She was an early fan of the natural product that is worth today an estimated $13 billion a year, according to a workshop held by the International Aloe Science Council.