Aloe Vera
Aloe… is a powerful cathartic, acting particularly on the large intestine, its active principle being termed aloin. Its action is extremely variable, and in large doses it has been known to induce abortion.
- Encyclopedia of Americana, 1918
AKA: Aloe vera and burn plant.
Part Used: Fresh leaves, dries leaves, and dried latex.
Medicinal Properties: Anthelmintic, cathartic, demulcent, emmenagogue, estrogenic (mild), oxytocic, purgative, and sedative.
Effects on the Body: Internally: Purges intestines, promotes bile flow, and expels worms. Externally: Antifungal, soothes and heals burns and irritations.
Abortifacient Action: Gastrointestinal Irritation and uterine contraction.
Contains: Phytoestrogen beta-sitosterol and several anthraquinone glycosides: aloin, isobarbaloin, and aloe emodin.
Description: Aloe is a succulent perennial, having grass-green to olive-brown fleshy, long, and narrow leaf blades with spiny teeth running up the sides. New leaves emerge from the center of the aloe plant. Aloe’s stem is usually short with strong fibrous roots. Most indoor aloes never bloom, but when growing in their native hot, arid regions, aloes send up 3 ft. (1 m) stalks from which bright yellow to scarlet 1 in. (2.5 cm) tubular flowers bloom in simple or branching clusters from June to September.
Note: Agave americana is sometimes called American aloe. Do not confuse American aloe Agave americana with true aloe Aloe socotrina. They are chemically different.
Many spiritual legends surround the aloe plant. In one legend, aloe is the only plant to come directly from the Garden of Eden.[112] The Mohammedans of Egypt hung the sacred aloe above their doorways to protect the owners against evil. To the Egyptians, aloe was a medicinal plant and a major element in their embalming processes. Nicodemus is said to have purchased a quantity of aloe for the burial of Christ.[113] The ancient Greeks gathered aloe on the island of Socotia as early as the fourth century BC.[114] Aloe was introduced and cultivated in the West Indies and other tropical countries around the 16th century. In Mexico and Columbia, an aloe, called Sabila Sagrada ‘the sacred initiate,’ is still a magical medicinal plant. The Sabila Sagrada is thought to be home to a goddess who, through offerings and prayers, can be put in a generous mood. Health, wealth, and peace are some of the gifts she is said to give.[115]
Aloe vera, the first-aid plant, is seen on the kitchen windowsills of homes all over the world. Used on a sudden burn to the skin, an aloe leaf’s soothing, cell-rejuvenating viscous gel is legendary. Today, farmers commercially cultivate aloe in the Black Sea coastal area and the Caribbean and sell their product around the world to pharmaceutical companies, cosmetic companies, and health food stores. Dried aloe is an ingredient of compound tincture of benzoin, a pharmaceutical product used externally on minor wounds and ulcers as an antiseptic and protective. Many cosmetic companies employ aloe in their skin lotions and hair products. Health food stores stock aloe medicines for their healing use externally and internally. Internally, aloe, in juice and powdered form, is taken for amenorrhea, asthma, colds, convulsions, hemorrhages, to expel pinworms, for ulcers, and most popularly as a purgative for the lower bowels.
In addition, aloe taken internally is often used to promote suppressed or obstructed menstruation. In China[116] and Malaysia,[117] the infusion of the fresh aloe vera leaf is taken orally to encourage menstruation. This same preparation is documented as being used to induce abortion in Samoa.[118] In Nepal[119] and South Korea,[120] the whole aloe plant is used in decoction to induce abortion. In Trinidad[121] and in the West Indies,[122] the gum from aloe is taken orally as an abortifacient. Europeans are known to have historically taken the extract of aloe in wine as an abortifacient.[123] Studies have shown aloe vera stimulates uterine contractions.[124]
Gathering: Aloe’s lowest leaves are the most mature and are harvested first. Commercially, the juices of healthy aloes that have had at least two to three years of uninterrupted growth are harvested by cutting the leaves off close to the stem. The yellow juice that exudes is then drained off into containers. The yellow aloe juice becomes more concentrated through evaporation or by boiling. When cold, the honey-like aloe extract solidifies.
Preparation: Aloe’s abortifacient action results from gastrointestinal irritation. The medicinal components of aloe (aloin and aloe-emodin) are slow in action, beginning to act approximately 10 - 15 hours after ingestion. To moderate the tendency for aloe to excessively irritate the intestines, dosage of carminatives can be taken with aloe and taken again ten to fifteen hours after ingestion. Angelica, chamomile, ginger, juniper, rosemary, sage, and thyme are carminatives that also have abortifacient properties. Aloe as an abortifacient is reputed to be most effective if used during the first six weeks of pregnancy.
Words to the Wise: Aloe has caused occasional death when a concentrated form of aloe was injected into a tumor or the bloodstream to treat cancer. People suffering from hemorrhoids or degeneration of the liver or gall bladder should not use aloe. Internally, aloe is a cathartic purgative, meaning that aloe irritates the lower bowels. After two weeks, if the desired effect is not produced, one should stop use. Chronic use of aloe may induce hemorrhoids and inflame the kidneys. A large number of inferior aloe products are on the market. It is best to obtain fresh aloe leaves, if possible.
Watch for Signs of Toxicity Specific to Aloe: Severe intestinal pain and red colored urine. As always, reduce dosage at first sign of toxicity. A strong carminative tea, perhaps made from simmering sliced Asian ginger in water, will help to moderate intestinal pain.
Abortifacient Aloe Tea: 3 oz. (85 g) fresh aloe leaves sliced to 1 qt. (1 L) water, heat to boiling, strain, and to temper the bitterness add 1 oz. (28 g) sugar. Take early in the morning.
Powdered Extract: 1 - 2 #0 capsules, two to three times a day.
Emmenagogual Aloe Fumigation: Aloe juice is recommended in steam fumigations, often in combination with a tincture of myrrh for emmenagogual, contraceptive, and anticancer purposes. Use one fresh mashed leaf of aloe with twenty drops of myrrh tincture placed in steaming water. Fumigate for 20 - 30 minutes, once a day, for two to five days before expected menses.
Angelica
112
Jeannine Parvati,
115
Christian Ratsch,
116
J.D. Keys,
117
E. Quisumbing, “Medicinal Plants of the Phillipines. Technical Bull. 16,” (Manila: Dept. of Natural Resources, 1951), 1.
118
C.R. McCuddin, “Samoan Medicinal Plants and their usage.”
119
M.P. Singh, S.B. Malla, S.B. Rajbhandari, and A. Manandhar. “Medicinal plants of Nepaclass="underline" Retrospects and Prospects,”
120
W.S. Woo, E.B. Lee. K.H. Shin, S.S. Kang, and H.J. Chi, “A review of research on plants for fertility reduction in Korea,”
121
W. Wong, “Some Folk Medicinal Plants from Trinidad,”
122
E.S. Ayensu, “Medicinal Plants of the West Indies,” unpublished manuscript 1978, 110p. as cited in Ivan A. Ross,
123
John M. Riddle,
124
H.M.A. Razzack,“The Concept of Birth Control in Unani Medical Literature,” unpublished manuscript (1980), 64. as cited in Ivan A. Ross,