Most people when they hear the word Aloe immediately think of Aloe vera
(aka Aloe barbadensis) with its healthy, healing benefits for all sorts of
ailments including high blood pressure, IBS and sun burn.
However, Aloe barbadensis is
not the only healing Aloe and what many people do not know is that Aloe
barbadensis can be quite toxic if not properly prepared before being ingested.
The center of the leaf (the gel) has the healing properties that are so coveted
however the layer that covers the gel contains Aloin and Anthraquinone
c-glycoside which can be very toxic if eaten in quantity leading to abdominal
cramping, diarrhea and vomiting. It also can be caustic to the skin if you are
sensitive to latex. (A)
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You may be interested to know how the gel is removed without including the Aloin and Anthraquinone c-glycoside. Here is a Youtube video on the production and processing of Aloe vera gel: https://youtu.be/lIdW5582uQg
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The latex from the outer layer of the leaf has been used for centuries as a laxative, but its main product (aloin) has been taken off the market due to lack of sufficient studies, and possibly because one study showed it has some carcinogenic effects in rats. (B)There are over 450 species of Aloes and it may become confusing as to which species have healing properties and which species do not. (D) The following is a list of 10 Aloe species besides Aloe barbadensis that have positive health or environmental benefits, some of which have been studied: (C)
Aloe arborescens (Candelabra Aloe) - Aloe arborescens aids in the healing of wounds in animals and shows action against harmful organisms. (1) Aloe arborescens is widely-cultivated in tropical countries for the healing properties of the gel within its succulent leaves. In a lab study conducted by Jia et al., results showed that healing rates were improved in wounds addressed with Aloe arborescens. According to the study, Aloe arborescens can be used to reduce microbial growth. The study found that the application had “effectively inhibited the bacterial growth for four bacteria during the observation period of time”.
Lab results show that A. arborescens inhibits rat myeloma cell proliferation. (G)
A 2004 study looking into the effects of Aloe ferox on irritable bowel syndrome found that 30% of the participants on the aloe showed either clinical remission or improvement.
Aloe ferox has a host of other health benefits as well. Numerous scientific studies on aloe gel are demonstrating its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, immune modulating, and anti-tumor activities as well as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Its juice has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides while demonstrating anti-diabetic activity. (H)
Aloe striata (Coral Aloe) - In the landscape this is one of the most spectacular of Aloes especially in mass plantings. Research suggests it may support digestion. (4)
Aloe aristata (Lace Aloe) - The Aloe aristata is used it for wound healing in Ayurveda (6) which is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that has its origins in the Vedic culture of India.(5)
Aloe marlothii (Mountain Aloe) - A recent study found that Aloe marlothii can be used to moisturize skin and may promote overall skin health similar to Aloe vera. (7)
Aloe petricola (Stone Aloe) - This particularly species is a great environmental booster. Aloe petricola is very popular for gardening because of its beautiful and radiant colors. Like many Aloe species, Aloe petricola is used for medical purposes, as it aids in healing wounds and minor burns. (F)
Aloe ciliaris (Climbing Aloe) - Aloe ciliaris is another aloe that does well in a garden, as it is known for attracting bees and birds that enrich and support other surrounding plant life.
Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe) - One unique attribute of this particular species of Aloe is that its pollen generation can be increased by smoke (10) making it incredibly widely available. The juice from the leaves is traditionally used as soap by local people of Southern Africa (E). Aloe maculata is a popular choice among gardeners who are able to utilize this plant’s ability to support its surrounding environment.
Aloe humilis - The fresh gel of this particular plant has been shown to relieve sunburns just as well as popular gels made from aloe vera. (8) Aloe humilis make a great ornamental container Aloe for indoors or outside.
Aloe barberae (Tree Aloe) - Studies show it’s powerful against harmful organisms and has ultra soothing properties. (9) Aloe barberae is also known as Aloe bainesii and is a very large tree Aloe.
Several hybrid varieties have been created between this species and its relative Aloe dichotoma (the Quiver Tree) and, more rarely, with other Aloe species. These all tend to be more short and compact than pure barberae. Some of the more popular hybrids include:
- "x hercules" (barberae x dichotoma), the most common hybrid, with golden-grey trunk, and compact grey leaves.
- "x rex" (barberae x dichotoma), a fast-growing cultivar developed in Swellendam, which has a grey trunk, and more slender grey-green leaves with pink teeth. Seed parent is dichotoma.
- "x goliath" (barberae x vaombe), a very fast-growing top-heavy hybrid, with a slender trunk and an enormous head of massive rubbery dark-green leaves.
- "x Nick Deinhart" (barberae x speciosa), a new hybrid using barberae pollen, with glaucous blue foliage.
- "x medusa" (=Aloe tongaensis). This is often considered a cultivar, but is in fact the natural Mozambican form of barberae. (I)
Sources:
(A) http://listverse.com/2011/03/22/10-common-plants-you-didnt-know-were-toxic/
(B) http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3874#b
(C) http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-13-species-aloe/
(D) http://succulent-plant.com/families/aloaceae.html
(E) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_maculata#cite_note-CF-3
(F) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_petricola
(G) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_arborescens
(H) https://jonbarron.org/herbal-library/herbs/aloe-ferox#.V13xCWP0iao
(I) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_barberae
References:
- Jia Y1, Zhao G, Jia J. Preliminary evaluation: the effects of Aloe ferox Miller and Aloe arborescens Miller on wound healing. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Nov 20;120(2):181-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.08.008. Epub 2008 Aug 15.
- Wintola OA1, Sunmonu TO, Afolayan AJ. The effect of Aloe ferox Mill. in the treatment of loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats. BMC Gastroenterol. 2010 Aug 19;10:95. doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-10-95.
- Dangarembizi R1, Chivandi E, Erlwanger K. Aloe ferox seed: a potential source of oil for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use. Nat Prod Commun. 2013 Mar;8(3):411-4.
- Fritz Light, “Aloe Striata Plant Defense Compounds Produced in Response to Jasmonic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Eriophyid Mite Salivary Extract Elicitor Compounds” (MS diss., California Polytechnic State University, 2012).
- http://www.chopra.com/our-services/ayurveda
- Biswas TK1, Mukherjee B. Plant medicines of Indian origin for wound healing activity: a review. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2003 Mar;2(1):25-39.
- Fox LT1, du Plessis J1, Gerber M1, van Zyl S2, Boneschans B2, Hamman JH1. In Vivo skin hydration and anti-erythema effects of Aloe vera, Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii gel materials after single and multiple applications. Pharmacogn Mag. 2014 Apr;10(Suppl 2):S392-403. doi: 10.4103/0973-1296.133291.
- University of California Irvine. Aloe Humilis.
- Ndhlala AR1, Amoo SO, Stafford GI, Finnie JF, Van Staden J. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and mutagenic investigation of the South African tree aloe (Aloe barberae). J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jul 30;124(3):404-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.05.037. Epub 2009 Jun 6.
- Kumari A1, Papenfus HB1, Kulkarni MG1, Pošta M2, Van Staden J1. Effect of smoke derivatives on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube elongation of species from different plant families. Plant Biol (Stuttg). 2015 Jul;17(4):825-30. doi:
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