Aloe vera
1548277
226008100
2008-07-16T12:31:42Z
MidgleyDJ
556187
/* Taxonomy and etymology */ spacing,
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Aloe vera''
| image = Aloe_vera_offsets.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[monocotyledon|Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Asphodelaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Aloe]]''
| species = '''''A. vera'''''
| binomial = ''Aloe vera''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Nicolaas Laurens Burman|Burm.f.]]
}}
'''''Aloe vera''''', also known as the '''Medicinal Aloe''', is a species of ''[[Aloe]]'', native to [[Africa]].<ref name="AFPD">{{cite web | url = http://www.ville-ge.ch/cjb/bd/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=155971|title=''Aloe vera'', African flowering plants database|publisher=Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> The species is a leaf and stem [[succulent plant]] that has been used in [[herbal medicine]] since the beginning of the first century AD and is mentioned in the [[New Testament]] ([[Gospel of John|John]] 19:39-40 "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes..." ).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019:39|title=John 19:39 (New International Version)|publisher=biblegateway.com|accessdate=2008-06-24}}</ref> Extracts from ''A. vera'' are widely used in the [[cosmetics]] and [[alternative medicine]] industries, being marketed as variously having rejuvenating, healing or soothing properties.<ref name="FLA">{{cite web|url=http://www.foreverliving.com|title=Forever Living Website|accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref><ref name="MAL">{{cite web|url=http://www.miracleofaloe.com|title=Miracle of ''Aloe''|accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref><ref name="AA">{{cite web|url=http://www.aloevera.com.au/|title=''Aloe'' Vera Australia|accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> There is, however, little scientific evidence of the efficacy of ''A. vera'' extracts for either cosmetic or medicinal purposes, and what positive evidence is available is frequently contradicted by other studies.<ref name="Ernst">Ernst E. (2000) Adverse effects of herbal drugs in dermatology. ''Br J Dermatol'' '''143''':923–929</ref><ref name="Marshall">Marshall JM (2000) ''Aloe vera'' gel: what is the evidence? ''Pharm J'' '''244''':360–362.</ref><ref name="Boudreau">Boudreau MD and Beland FA (2006) An Evaluation of the Biological and Toxicological Properties of ''Aloe Barbadensis'' (Miller), Aloe Vera. ''Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part C'' '''24''':103–154.</ref><ref name="Vogler">Vogler BK, Ernst E. Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness. ''Br J Gen Pract.'' 1999 Oct;49(447):823-8.</ref>
==Description==
[[Image:Aloe_vera_C.jpg|right|thumb|120px|An ''A. vera'' inflorescence]]
''A. vera'' is a stemless or very short-stemmed [[succulent]] plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 inches) tall, spreading by [[offsets]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[lanceolate]], thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower leaf surfaces.<ref name="Yates">Yates A. (2002) ''Yates Garden Guide''. Harper Collins Australia</ref> The margin of the leaf is [[serration|serrated]] and has small white teeth. The [[flower]]s are produced in summer on a spike up to {{convert|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular [[Corolla (flower)|corolla]] 2–3 cm long.<ref name="Yates"/><ref name="BPGE">Random House Australia ''Botanica's Pocket Gardening Encyclopedia for Australian Gardeners'' Random House Publishers, Australia</ref> Like other ''Aloe'' species, ''A. vera'' forms [[arbuscular mycorrhiza]], a [[symbiosis]] that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients in soil.<ref>Gong M, Wang F, Chen Y. (2002) Study on application of arbuscular-mycorrhizas in growing seedings of ''Aloe vera''. ''Zhong Yao Cai'' '''25'''(1):1-3.</ref>
==Taxonomy and etymology==
[[Image:Aloe_Vera.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Spotted forms of ''A. vera'' are sometimes known as ''A. vera'' var. ''chinensis'']]
The species has a number of synonyms: ''A. barbadensis'' Mill., ''Aloe indica'' Royle ''Aloe perfoliata'' L. var. ''vera'' and ''A. vulgaris'' Lam.,<ref name="AFPD"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Aloe%20vera|title=Taxon: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.|publisher=Germplasm Resources Information Network, United States Department of Agriculture.|accessdate=2008-07-16}}</ref> and common names including '''Chinese Aloe''', '''Indian Aloe''', '''True Aloe''', '''Barbados Aloe''' or '''Burn Aloe'''.<ref name="BPGE"/><ref name="Ombrello">{{cite web |url=http://faculty.ucc.edu/biology-ombrello/POW/Aloe_vera.htm|title=''Aloe vera''|author=Ombrello, T|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref><ref>Liao Z, Chen M, Tan F, Sun1 X and Tang K (2004) Microprogagation of endangered Chinese aloe ''Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture'' '''76'''(1):83-86.</ref><ref>T. T. Jamir, H. K. Sharma and A. K. Dolui (1999) Folklore medicinal plants of Nagaland, India. ''Fitoterapia'' '''70'''(1):395-401.</ref> The species name ''vera'' means ''true'' or ''genuine''.<ref name="Ombrello"/> Some literature identifies the white spotted form of ''A. vera'' as ''A. vera'' var. ''chinensis'', <ref>Wang H, Li F, Wang T, Li J, Li J, Yang X, Li J. (2004) Determination of aloin content in callus of ''Aloe vera'' var. ''chinensis''. ''Zhong Yao Cai'' '''27'''(9):627-628</ref><ref>Gao W, Xiao P. (1997) Peroxidase and soluble protein in the leaves of ''Aloe vera'' L. var. ''chinensis'' (Haw.)Berger. ''Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi'' '''22'''(11):653-654.</ref>, however, the species varies widely with regard to leaf spots<ref name="Akinyele">Akinyele BO, Odiyi AC (2007) Comparative study of the vegetative morphology and the existing taxonomic status of ''Aloe vera'' L. ''Journal of Plant Sciences'' '''2'''(5):558-563.</ref> and it has been suggested that the spotted form of ''A. vera'' may be conspecific with ''A. massawana''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://huntingtonbotanical.org/Desert/Cholla/feb06/feb06.htm|title=The Definitive ''Aloe vera'', vera?|author=Lyons G|publisher=Huntington Botanic Gardens|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref> The species was first described by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in 1753 as ''Aloe perfoliata'' var. ''vera'',<ref>Linnaeus, C. (1753). Species plantarum, exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas. Vol. 2 pp. [i], 561-1200, [1-30, index], [i, err.]. Holmiae [Stockholm]: Impensis Laurentii Salvii.</ref> and was described again, twice, in 1768 by [[ Nicolaas Laurens Burman]] and [[Philip Miller]]. Burman described the species as ''Aloe vera'' in ''Flora Indica'' on the 6th of April, 1768 while Miller described the species as ''Aloe barbadensis'' some ten days later in the ''Gardener's Dictionary''.<ref>Newton, L. E. (1979). In defense of the name ''Aloe vera''. ''The Cactus and Succulent Journal of Great Britain'' '''41''': 29-30.</ref>
Techniques based on [[DNA]] comparison suggest that ''A. vera'' is relatively closely related to ''[[Aloe perryi]]'', a species that is endemic to [[Yemen]].<ref>Darokar MP, Rai R, Gupta AK, Shasany AK, Rajkumar S, Sunderasan V and Khanuja SPS (2003). Molecular assessment of germplasm diversity in Aloe spp. using RAPD and AFLP analysis. J Med. Arom. Plant Sci.25(2): 354-361.</ref> Similar techniques, using [[chloroplast]] DNA sequence comparison and [[Microsatellite#ISSR-PCR|ISSR]] profiling have also suggested that ''A. vera'' is closely related to ''[[Aloe forbesii]]'', ''[[Aloe inermis]]'', ''[[Aloe scobinifolia]]'', ''[[Aloe sinkatana]]'' and ''[[Aloe striata]]''.<ref name="Treutlein">Treutlein, J., Smith, G. F. S., van Wyk, B. E. & Wink, W. (2003). Phylogenetic relationships in Asphodelaceae (Alooideae) inferred from chloroplast DNA sequences (rbcl, matK) and from genomic finger-printing (ISSR). Taxon 52:193.</ref> With the exception of South African species, ''A. striata'', these ''Aloe'' species are native to [[Socotra]] ([[Yemen]]), [[Somalia]] and [[Sudan]].<ref name="Treutlein"/> The lack of obvious natural populations of the species have led some authors to suggest that ''A. vera'' may be of [[hybrid]] origin.<ref>Jones WD, Sacamano C. (2000) ''Landscape Plants for Dry Regions: More Than 600 Species from Around the World''. California Bill's Automotive Publishers. USA.</ref>
==Distribution==
The natural range of ''A. vera'' is unclear, as the species has been widely cultivated throughout the world since at least the 15th century. It has been suggested that wild stands of the species occur through North Africa in [[Algeria]], [[Morocco]], and [[Tunisia]], along with the [[Canary Islands|Canary]] and [[Madeira Islands]].<ref name="AFPD"/> The species was introduced to [[China]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]] and various parts of southern Europe in the 17th century.<ref>Farooqi and Sreeramu (2001) Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Crops (Revised Edition). Orient Longman, India. p. 25.</ref> The species is widely naturalised elsewhere, occurring in temperate and tropical regions of [[Australia]], [[Barbados]], [[Belize]], [[Nigeria]], [[Paraguay]] and the [[USA]].<ref name="Akinyele"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/aloe_vera/|title=Global Compendium of Weeds ''Aloe vera'' (Aloeaceae) |publisher = Global Compendium of Weeds|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> It has been suggested that, like many ''Aloes'', the species is originally from Southern Africa and that populations that occur elsewhere are the result of human cultivation.<ref name="Akinyele"/>
==Cultivation==
[[Image:Aloe_vera_A.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Aloe vera'' growing as an ornamental plant]]
''A. vera'' has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. The species is popular with modern gardeners as a putatively [[medicinal plant]] and due to its interesting flowers, form and succulence. This succulence enables the species to survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for rockeries and other low-water use gardens.<ref name="Yates"/> The species is hardy in [[Hardiness_zone|zones]] 8–11, although it is intolerant of very heavy frost or snow.<ref name="BPGE"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/7686.shtml|title=BBC Gardening, ''Aloe vera''|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref> The species is relatively resistance to most insect pests, though [[mealy bugs]], [[scale insects]] and [[aphid]] species may cause a decline in plant health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/a-myersi.html|title=Pest Alert: ''Aloe vera'' aphid ''Aloephagus myersi'' Essi.|publisher=Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/plant.asp?code=B628|title=Kemper Center for Home Gardening: ''Aloe vera''|publisher=Missouri Botanic Gardens, USA|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref> In pots, the species requires well-drained sandy potting soil and bright sunny conditions. The use of a good quality commercial propagation mix or pre-packaged "cacti and succulent mixes" are recommended as they allow good drainage.<ref name="GA">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2280641.htm|title=Fact Sheet: ''Aloes''|author=Coleby-Williams, J|publisher=Gardening Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref> [[Terracotta]] pots are preferable as they are porous.<ref name="GA"/> Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry prior to re-watering. During winter, ''A. vera'' may become dormant, during which little moisture is required. In areas that receive frost or snow the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.<ref name="BPGE"/> Large scale agricultural production of ''A. vera'' is undertaken in [[Australia]], [[Cuba]], the [[Dominican Republic]], [[India]], [[Kenya]] and [[South Africa]] to supply the cosmetics industry with ''A. vera'' [[gel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.invasor.cu/sistema/paginas/default.asp?lang=en&id=23062008_More%20Medicinal%20Plants%20Grow%20in%20Ciego%20de%20Avila|title=More Medicinal Plants Grow in Ciego de Ávila|publisher=invasor.cu|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0405272.htm|title=US Farms, Inc. Intends to Divest Its Produce Business to Focus on Higher Margin Aloe Vera Product and Nursery Sales|publisher=cnnmoney.com|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200708020872.html|title=Kenya: Imported Gel Hurts Aloe Vera Market |publisher=allafrica.com|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/183050/1/.html|title=India experiments with farming medicinal plants|publisher=channelnewsasia.com|author=Vaibhav Varma|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2005/12/06/1524745.htm|title=''Aloe vera'' producer signs $3m China deal|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref>
==Anthropogenic uses==
[[Image:Aloe_moisturiser.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Moisturizer containing ''A. vera'']]
Scientific evidence for the the cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness of ''Aloe vera'' is limited and when present is typically contradictory.<ref name="Ernst"/><ref name="Marshall"/> Despite this, the cosmetic and alternative medicine industries regularly makes claims regarding the soothing, moisturising and healing properties of ''A. vera'', especially via internet advertising.<ref name="FLA"/><ref name="MAL"/><ref name="AA"/><ref name="Boudreau"/>
''A. vera'' has been variously used for:
===Medicine===
''Aloe vera'' has a long association with [[herbal medicine]], having been illustrated in the ''[[Juliana Anicia Codex]]'' produced in [[512]] AD.<ref name="Reynolds">Reynolds, T. (2004) ''Aloes: The Genus Aloe''. CRC Press</ref> Contrary to the widespread belief that ''A. vera'' is non-toxic, excess ingestion of ''A. vera'' has been associated with a range of symptoms and conditions including diarrhoea, hepatitis, kidney dysfunction, electrolyte imbalance and reduced [[Central_nervous_system|CNS]] activity.<ref name="Boudreau"/><ref name="Vogler"/><ref>Bottenberg et al. (2001) Oral ''Aloe Vera''-Induced Hepatitis. Ann Pharmacother. '''41''':1740-1743</ref> However, the species is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of [[China]], [[Japan]] and [[India]].<ref name="Boudreau"/>
''A. vera'' is alleged to be effective in treatment of wounds.<ref name="Vogler"/> Evidence on the effects of ''A. vera'' sap on wound healing, however, is limited and contradictory.<ref name="Vogler"/> Some studies, for example, show that ''A. vera'' promotes the rates of healing,<ref>Heggers JP, Elzaim H, Garfield R. (1997) Effect of the combination of ''Aloe vera'', Nitroglycerin and L-NAME on wound healing in the rat excisional model. J Alt Comp Med 1997; 3:149-153.</ref><ref>Davis RH, Leitner MG, Russo JM, Byrne ME. Wound healing. Oral and topical activity of ''Aloe vera''. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 1989; 79:559-562.</ref> while in contrast, other studies show that the healing time of wounds to which ''Aloe vera'' gel was applied were significantly slower to heal.<ref>Schmidt JM, Greenspoon JS. Aloe vera dermal wound gel is associated with a delay in wound healing. ''Obstet Gynecol.'' 1991 Jul;78(1):115-7.</ref><ref>Kaufman T, Kalderon N, Ullmann Y, Berger J. Aloe vera gel hindered wound healing of experimental second-degree burns: a quantitative controlled study. J Burn Care Rehabil 1988; 9:156-159.</ref> In addition to topical use in wound or burn healing, internal intake of ''A. vera'' has been linked with improved blood [[glucose]] levels in [[diabetic]]s,<ref>Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Bunyapraphatsara N, Chokechaijaroenporn O. (1996) Antidiabetic activity of ''Aloe vera'' L juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus. ''Phytomedicine'' '''3''': 241-243.</ref><ref>Bunyapraphatsara N, Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Chokechaijaroenporn O. (1996) Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. II. Clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide. ''Phytomedicine'' '''3''': 245-248.</ref> and with lower blood [[lipid]]s in [[hyperlipidaemia|hyperlipidaemic]] patients.<ref>Nassiff HA, Fajardo F, Velez F. (1993) Effecto del aloe sobre la hiperlipidemia en pacientes refractarios a la dieta. Rev Cuba Med Gen Integr 9:43-51</ref> In other diseases, preliminary studies have suggested oral ''A. vera'' gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with [[ulcerative colitis]].<ref>L. Langmead, R. M. Feakins, S. Goldthorpe, H. Holt, E. Tsironi, A. De Silva, D. P. Jewell, D. S. Rampton (2004) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis. ''Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics'' '''19''' (7) , 739–747 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01902.x</ref> Compounds extracted from ''A. vera'' have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs;<ref name ="King">GK King, KM Yates, PG Greenlee, KR Pierce, CR Ford, BH McAnalley, and IR Tizard (1995) The effect of Acemannan Immunostimulant in combination with surgery and radiation therapy on spontaneous canine and feline fibrosarcomas. ''Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association'' '''31''' (5): 439-447.</ref> however, this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans. The injection of ''A. vera'' extracts to treat cancer has resulted in the deaths of several patients.<ref>Skinner WJ. Aloe vera injections result in medical license suspension. ''Natural Medicine Law'' 1997; 1:1.</ref>
===Antimicrobial properties===
''A. vera'' extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause [[tinea]],<ref>Sumbul Shamim, S. Waseemuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Azhar (2004) Antifungal activity of ''Allium'', ''Aloe'', and ''Solanum'' species. ''Pharmaceutical Biology'' '''42''' (7) 491 - 498.</ref> however, evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established. For bacteria, inner-leaf gel from ''A. vera'' was shown to inhibit growth of ''Streptococcus'' and ''Shigella'' species ''in vitro''.<ref>Valerie A. Ferro, Fiona Bradbury, Pamela Cameron, Eisin Shakir, Sabita R. Rahman, and William H. Stimson (2003) In Vitro Susceptibilities of ''Shigella flexneri'' and ''Streptococcus pyogenes'' to Inner Gel of ''Aloe barbadensis'' Miller ''Antimicrob Agents Chemother'' '''47'''(3): 1137–1139.
doi: 10.1128/AAC.47.3.1137-1139.2003.</ref> In contrast, ''A. vera'' extracts failed to show antibiotic properties against ''[[Xanthomonas]]'' species.<ref>S. Satish, K. A. Raveesha, G. R. Janardhana (1999) Antibacterial activity of plant extracts on phytopathogenic Xanthomonas campestris pathovars ''Letters in Applied Microbiology'' '''28'''(2), 145–147 doi:10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00479.x</ref>
===Other uses===
[[Image:Aloe_vera_yoghurt.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''A. vera'' yoghurt]]
Unprocessed ''A. vera'' is very bitter and unpalatable,<ref>Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169</ref> ''A. vera'' gel, however, is used as an ingredient in commercially available [[yogurt]] and [[beverages]].<ref name="Reynolds"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/landline/stories/s502100.htm|title=Clean and green |author=Liza Armstrong|publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation |accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/ng.asp?n=18445-yagua-unveils-cosmeceutical|title=Yagua unveils cosmeceutical beverage|publisher=Decision News Media|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref>
Cosmetic companies add sap or other derivatives from ''A. vera'' to products such as [[makeup]], [[tissues]], [[moisturizer]]s, [[soap]]s, [[sunscreen]]s, [[incense]], [[razors]] and [[shampoo]]s,<ref name="Reynolds"/> though the effectiveness of ''A. vera'' in these products remains unknown. It has also been suggested that biofuels could be obtained from ''A. vera'' seeds. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Aloe-Vera-has-biodiesel-potential-reveals-MSU-study/324861/|title=''Aloe Vera'' has biodiesel potential, reveals MSU study|author=Shukla S.|Publisher=expressindia.com|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref> Other uses for extracts of ''A. vera'' include the dilution of [[semen]] for the artificial fertilisation of sheep, <ref>Rodriguez F, Baldassarre H, Simonetti J, Aste F, Ruttle JL. (1988) Cervical versus intrauterine insemination of ewes using fresh or frozen semen diluted with aloe vera gel. ''Theriogenology'' '''30'''(5):843-54.</ref> use as fresh food preservative,<ref>Serrano M, Valverde JM, Guillen F, Castillo S, Martinez-Romero D, Valero D. (2006). Use of Aloe vera gel coating preserves the functional properties of table grapes. ''J Agric Food Chem'' 54 (11): 3882-3886. </ref> and use in [[water conservation]] in small farms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/seta/2008/07/10/stories/2008071050161800.htm|title=Water conservation|accessdate=2008-07-14|publisher=The Hindu, India}}</ref>
==Biologically active compounds==
''A. vera'' leaves contain a range of biologically active compounds, the best studied are acetylated [[mannans]], polymannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones and anthraquinones and various [[lectins]].<ref name="Boudreau"/><ref name="King"/><ref>Eshun, K., He, Q (2004) Aloe Vera: A Valuable Ingredient for the Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industries—A Review. ''Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition'', '''44'''(2): 91-96</ref>
==See also==
*''[[Aloe]]''
*[[Asphodelaceae]]
*[[Herbal medicine]]
*[[Succulent plants]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{commons|Aloe vera}}
==External links==
<!-- Please do not add links to websites that sell Aloe vera products. See [[WP:EL]] for acceptable links. -->
* {{dmoz|Shopping/Health/Alternative/Herbs/Aloe/}}
* [http://www.iasc.org/ The International Aloe Science Council]
[[Category:Aloe]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Flora of Africa]]
[[bg:Алое вера]]
[[ca:Aloe vera]]
[[co:Aloe vera]]
[[de:Echte Aloe]]
[[es:Aloe vera]]
[[eo:Aloo vera]]
[[fa:صبر زرد]]
[[fr:Aloe vera]]
[[hsb:Prawy alowej]]
[[id:Lidah Buaya]]
[[it:Aloe vera]]
[[he:אלוורה]]
[[ht:Pye lalwa]]
[[hu:Aloe vera]]
[[ml:കറ്റാര്വാഴ]]
[[ms:Pokok Lidah Buaya]]
[[nl:Aloë vera]]
[[no:Aloe vera]]
[[pl:Aloes zwyczajny]]
[[pt:Babosa]]
[[sk:Aloa pravá]]
[[sr:Обична алоја]]
[[fi:Lääkeaaloe]]
[[sv:Äkta aloe]]
[[th:ว่านหางจระเข้]]
[[vi:Lô hội]]
[[to:ʻAloe]]
[[tr:Aloe vera]]
<!--[[Image:Gc11_aloe.jpg|left|thumb|150px|a painting of ''A. vera'' from the gardens of the [[Schloss Gottorf]] (1649-1659)]]-->
<!-- ==Gallery==
===''Aloe vera'' products===
<gallery>
Image:Aloe_vera_gel.jpg|''A. vera'' gel being used to make a dessert.
Image:Aloe moisturiser.jpg|''A. vera'' is used in a range of cosmetics.
Image:Aloe incense.jpg|Incense made with ''A. vera''.
Image:Aloe lip balm.jpg|''A. vera'' in lip balm.
Image:Grapefruit_and_aloe_jelly_drink.jpg|a drink containing grapefruit and ''A. vera'' juice.
</gallery>
===Cultivated ''Aloe vera''===
<gallery>
Image:Aloë-vera-total.JPG|Some varieties of ''A. vera'' have no spots.
Image:Aloe_vera_in_Aruba.jpg|''A. vera'' growing on a roadside in [[Aruba]]
</gallery> -->