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Aloe Vera Risks
Talk to your doctor before using aloe vera.
Aloe vera gel is safe to apply to the skin. Taking it by mouth can also be safe if you use the right dose and only take it for a short time.
Aloe vera side effects
Topical aloe vera can irritate the skin and cause hives in people who are sensitive to it.
Taking high doses of aloe latex by mouth could cause belly pain, kidney damage, and an electrolyte imbalance. It may also increase cancer risk.
Side effects if you take aloe vera by mouth include:
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Throwing up
- Low blood potassium levels
- Sun sensitivity
- Allergic reactions
Aloe vera can also stain the colon, making it hard for your doctor to see it clearly during a colonoscopy. Ask your doctor whether you need to stop using aloe vera before a colonoscopy.
Aloin is a substance in aloe vera that acts like a laxative and can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. If aloe causes gastrointestinal problems, you can look for aloin-free aloe vera products.
Who should avoid aloe vera?
Do not apply topical aloe vera to open or deep wounds. People who are allergic to garlic, onions, or tulips are more likely to be allergic to aloe. If you get a rash, stop using aloe gel.
Don’t use oral aloe vera if you have diabetes and you take medicine to lower your blood sugar. Aloe could lower your blood sugar too much. Avoid this supplement if you have nausea, belly pain, or diarrhea, as it could make these symptoms worse.
If you're pregnant, you shouldn't take aloe latex because it might increase the risk of early labor or miscarriage. It’s also not recommended for use during breastfeeding because it may cause diarrhea and other side effects in your baby. Aloe latex and whole-leaf extract aren’t safe for children under 12.
Aloe vera drug interactions
Summary
There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of aloe vera in any form. As a general rule, follow the manufacturer's guidelines and avoid the internal use of whole-leaf aloe vera extract or aloe vera latex which can be toxic to the liver and kidneys.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Dat A, Poon F, Pham K, et al. Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012,(2):CD008762. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008762.pub2.
- Haddad P, Amouzgar-Hashemi F, Samsami S, et al. Aloe vera for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis: a self-controlled clinical trial.Curr Oncol. 2013,20(4):e345-8. doi:10.3747/co.20.1356
- Heggie S, Bryant G, Tripcony L, et al. A Phase III Study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on Irradiated breast tissue.Cancer Nurs. 2002,25(6):442-51.
- Langmead L, Feakins R, Goldthorpe S, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004,19(7):739-747. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01902.x.
- Paulsen E, Korsholm L, Brandrup F. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a commercial aloe vera gel in the treatment of slight to moderate psoriasis vulgaris.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005:19(3):326-331. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.01186.x.
- Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Punthanitisarn S, et al. Effect of Aloe vera on glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2016,41(2):180-188. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12382
- Zhang Y, Liu W, Liu D, et al. Efficacy of aloe vera supplementation on prediabetes and early non-treated diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutrients. 2016,8(7):388. doi:10.3390/nu8070388
How to Use Aloe Vera
How to Apply to the Skin
Here is how to use fresh aloe vera for skin conditions:
- Snip one of the leaves close to the bottom of the plant.
- Put the cut side down in a glass to allow the latex to drain for about 10 minutes and discard it.
- Remove the leaf spikes and use a vegetable peeler to get to the clear gel inside.
- Scoop out the gel and store it in a clean, sealable container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- Place a small amount of gel on your fingertips and gently work it in with circular motions.
- If using it as a facial cleanser, rinse with cool water and gently pat your skin dry.
- If using it as a facial moisturizer, gently spread a thin layer of gel onto the skin and allow it to dry.
How to Take by Mouth
Commercial preparations are generally safer because the dose is controlled. Even so, you can make aloe vera juice by following these steps:
- Snip a leaf close to the bottom of the plant and wash thoroughly with water.
- Cut the leaf into 1-inch cubes.
- Squeeze the gel from the cubes. Discard the skin.
- Place the gel in a blender with 6 cups of filtered or distilled water.
- Blend thoroughly.
- Strain the juice and add sweetener and lemon if desired.
Some studies suggest that doses of up to 90 milliliters (3 fluid ounces) daily are well tolerated and safe.
Consumer Safety
Everything About Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that grows in hot climates such as California, New Mexico, and the Caribbean. It contains more than 75 active ingredients, including enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, some of which could make it useful for treating diseases.
Some people use aloe vera gel as a home remedy to treat burns and other skin conditions and heal wounds. Aloe juice is also promoted as a natural remedy for diabetes, heartburn, and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS). There is some research suggesting that it works for these and other conditions, but more research and higher-quality studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
