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Anthropogenic uses
Moisturizer containing Aloe vera

Scientific evidence for the cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness of Aloe vera is limited and when present is typically contradictory.[2][3] Despite this, the cosmetic and alternative medicine industries regularly make claims regarding the soothing, moisturising and healing properties of A. vera, especially via Internet advertising.[4][39][40][41][42] A. vera gel is used as an ingredient in commercially available lotion,yogurt, beverages and some desserts.[43][44][45] Aloe vera juice is used for consumption and relief of digestive issues. It is common practice for cosmetic companies to add sap or other derivatives from A. vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, razors and shampoos.[43] It has also been suggested that biofuels could be obtained from A. vera seeds.[46] Other uses for extracts of A. vera include the dilution of semen for the artificial fertilization of sheep,[47] use as fresh food preservative,[48] and use in water conservation in small farms.[49]

Medicine

Aloe vera has a long association with herbal medicine, although it is not known when its medical applications were first discovered. Early records of A. vera use appear in the Ebers Papyrus from 16th century BCE,[16] in both Dioscorides' De Materia Medica and Pliny the Elder's Natural History written in the mid-first century CE[16] along with the Juliana Anicia Codex produced in 512 CE.[43] A. vera is non-toxic, with no known side effects, provided the aloin has been removed by processing. Taking A. vera that contains aloin in excess amounts has been associated with various side effects.[4][5][50] However, the species is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, The United States,Jamaica and India.[4]
A. vera yogurt

Aloe vera is alleged to be effective in treatment of wounds.[5] Evidence on the effects of A. vera sap on wound healing, however, is limited and contradictory.[5] Some studies, for example, show that A. vera promotes the rates of healing,[51][52] while in contrast, other studies show that wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal.[53][54] A more recent review (2007) concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns.[55] In addition to topical use in wound or burn healing, internal intake of A. vera has been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics,[56][57] and with lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients.[58] In other diseases, preliminary studies have suggested oral A. vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis.[59] Compounds extracted from A. vera have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs;[6] 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.[60]

Topical application of Aloe vera may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis.[61] However, it is not effective for the prevention of radiation-induced injuries, nor does it offer protection from sunburn or suntan.[62] In a double-blind clinical trial the group using an Aloe vera containing dentifrice and the group using a fluoridated dentifrice both demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of gingivitis and plaque.[63]

A. vera extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activities. A. vera extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea,[64] 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.[65] In contrast, A. vera extracts failed to show antibiotic properties against Xanthomonas species.[66]