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Aloe vera (/ˈæloʊ(i) vɛrə, vɪər-/)[3] is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe.[4] It is widely distributed, and is considered an invasive species in many world regions.[4][5]

Aloe vera
Plant with flower detail inset
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asphodelaceae
Subfamily:	Asphodeloideae
Genus:	Aloe
Species:	A. vera
Binomial name
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
Synonyms[1][2]
Aloe barbadensis Mill. Aloe barbadensis var. chinensis Haw. Aloe chinensis (Haw.) Baker Aloe elongata Murray Aloe flava Pers. Aloe indica Royle Aloe lanzae Tod. Aloe maculata Forssk. (illegitimate) Aloe perfoliata var. vera L. Aloe rubescens DC. Aloe variegata Forssk. (illegitimate) Aloe vera Mill. (illegitimate) Aloe vera var. chinensis (Haw.) A. Berger Aloe vera var. lanzae Baker Aloe vera var. littoralis J.Koenig ex Baker Aloe vulgaris Lam.

An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world.[4] It is cultivated for commercial products, mainly as a topical treatment used over centuries.[4][5] The species is attractive for decorative purposes, and succeeds indoors as a potted plant.[6]

It is used in many consumer products, including beverages, skin lotion, cosmetics, ointments or in the form of gel for minor burns and sunburns. There is little clinical evidence for the effectiveness or safety of Aloe vera extract as a cosmetic or topical drug.[5][7] The name derives from Latin as aloe and vera ("true").

Etymology and common names

The botanical name derives from Latin, aloe (also from Greek), having uncertain origin, and vera ("true") from Latin.[8] Common names use aloe with a region of its distribution, such as Chinese aloe, Cape aloe or Barbados aloe.[2][5][9][10]

Description

Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed plant growing to 60–100 centimetres (24–39 inches) tall, spreading by offsets.[4] The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces.[11] The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) long.[11][12] Like other Aloe species, Aloe vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, a symbiosis that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients in soil.[13]

Aloe vera leaves contain phytochemicals under study for possible bioactivity, such as acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones, and other anthraquinones, such as emodin and various lectins.[14][15]

Taxonomy

The species has several synonyms: Aloe barbadensis Mill., Aloe indica Royle, Aloe perfoliata L. var. vera and Aloe vulgaris Lam.[16][17] Some literature identifies the white-spotted form of Aloe vera as Aloe vera var. chinensis;[18][19] and the spotted form of Aloe vera may be conspecific with A. massawana.[20] The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Aloe perfoliata var. vera,[21] and was described again in 1768 by Nicolaas Laurens Burman as Aloe vera in Flora Indica on 6 April and by Philip Miller as Aloe barbadensis some ten days after Burman in the Gardener's Dictionary.[22]

Techniques based on DNA comparison suggest Aloe vera is relatively closely related to Aloe perryi, a species endemic to Yemen.[23] Similar techniques, using chloroplast DNA sequence comparison and ISSR profiling have also suggested it is closely related to Aloe forbesii, Aloe inermis, Aloe scobinifolia, Aloe sinkatana, and Aloe striata.[24] With the exception of the South African species A. striata, these Aloe species are native to Socotra (Yemen), Somalia, and Sudan.[24] The lack of obvious natural populations of the species has led some authors to suggest Aloe vera may be of hybrid origin.[25]

Distribution

A. vera is considered to be native only to the south-east[26] Arabian Peninsula in the Al Hajar Mountains in north-eastern Oman.[27] However, it has been widely cultivated around the world, and has become naturalized in North Africa, as well as Sudan and neighboring countries, along with the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira Islands.[16] It has also naturalized in the Algarve region of Portugal,[28][29] and in wild areas across southern Spain, especially in the region of Murcia.[30]

The species was introduced to China and various parts of southern Europe in the 17th century.[31] It is widely naturalized elsewhere, occurring in arid, temperate, and tropical regions of temperate continents.[4][27][32] The current distribution may be the result of cultivation.[20][33]

Cultivation

Aloe vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. The species is popular with modern gardeners as a topical medicinal plant[34] and for 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.[11] The species is hardy in zones 8–11, and is intolerant of heavy frost and snow.[12][35] The species is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though spider mites, mealy bugs, scale insects, and aphid species may cause a decline in plant health.[36][37] This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[38]

In pots, the species requires well-drained, sandy potting soil, and bright, sunny conditions. Aloe plants can turn red from sunburn under too much direct sun, though gradual acclimation may help.[39] The use of a good-quality commercial propagation mix or packaged "cacti and succulent mix" is recommended, as they allow good drainage.[40] Terra cotta pots are preferable as they are porous.[40] Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry before rewatering. When potted, aloes can become crowded with "pups" growing from the sides of the "mother plant". Plants that have become crowded can be divided and repotted to allow room for further growth, or the pups can be left with the mother plant.[39] During winter, Aloe vera may become dormant, during which little moisture is required.[39] In areas that receive frost or snow, the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.[12] Houseplants requiring similar care include haworthia and agave.[39]

There is large-scale agricultural production of Aloe vera in Australia,[41] Cuba, the Dominican Republic, China, Mexico,[42] India,[43] Jamaica,[44] Spain, where it grows well, even inland,[45] Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa,[46] along with the USA[47] to supply the cosmetics industry.[4]

Uses

Two substances from Aloe vera – a clear gel and its yellow latex – are used to manufacture commercial products.[7][34] Aloe gel typically is used to make topical medications for skin conditions, such as burns, wounds, frostbite, rashes, psoriasis, cold sores, or dry skin.[7][34] Aloe latex is used individually or manufactured as a product with other ingredients to be ingested for relief of constipation.[7][34] Aloe latex may be obtained in a dried form called resin or as "aloe dried juice".[48]

There is conflicting evidence regarding whether Aloe vera is effective as a treatment for wounds or burns.[5][34] There is some evidence that topical use of aloe products might relieve symptoms of certain skin disorders, such as psoriasis, acne, or rashes.[7][34]

Aloe vera gel is used commercially as an ingredient in yogurts, beverages, and some desserts,[49] but at high or prolonged doses, ingesting aloe latex or whole leaf extract can be toxic.[7][5][10] Use of topical aloe vera in small amounts is likely to be safe.[7][34]

Topical medication and potential side effects

Aloe vera may be prepared as a lotion, gel, soap or cosmetics product for use on skin as a topical medication.[5] For people with allergies to Aloe vera, skin reactions may include contact dermatitis with mild redness and itching, difficulty with breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.[5][10]

Dietary supplement

Aloin, a compound found in the semi-liquid latex of some Aloe species, was the common ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products in the United States until 2002 when the Food and Drug Administration banned it because manufacturers failed to provide the necessary safety data.[7][5][50] Aloe vera has potential toxicity, with side effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested and when applied topically.[5][10] Although toxicity may be less when aloin is removed by processing, Aloe vera ingested in high amounts may induce side effects, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or hepatitis.[5][51] Chronic ingestion of aloe (dose of 1 gram per day) may cause adverse effects, including hematuria, weight loss, and cardiac or kidney disorders.[5]

Aloe vera juice is marketed to support the health of the digestive system, but there is neither scientific evidence nor regulatory approval for this claim.[7][5][34] The extracts and quantities typically used for such purposes are associated with toxicity in a dose-dependent way.[5][10]

Traditional medicine

Aloe vera is used in traditional medicine as a skin treatment. Early records of its use appear from the fourth millennium BCE.[5] It is also written of in the Juliana Anicia Codex of 512 CE.[49]^: 9

Commodities

Aloe vera is used on facial tissues where it is promoted as a moisturizer and anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose. Cosmetic companies commonly add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, or shampoos.[49] A review of academic literature notes that its inclusion in many hygiene products is due to its "moisturizing emollient effect".[15]

Toxicity

Orally ingested non-decolorized aloe vera leaf extract was listed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment among "chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity".[52]

Use of topical aloe vera is not associated with significant side effects.[7] Oral ingestion of aloe vera is potentially toxic,[5] and may cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea which in turn can decrease the absorption of drugs.[7]

Interactions with prescribed drugs

Ingested aloe products may have adverse interactions with prescription drugs, such as those used to treat blood clots, diabetes, heart disease and potassium-lowering agents (such as Digoxin), and diuretics, among others.[34]

Gallery

• 
  Leaf and inner gel
• 
  Gel used for desserts
• 
  Es lidah buaya, an Indonesian Aloe vera iced drink
• 
  Juice
• 
  Cut leaf
• 
  Diagram of leaf: 1 Cuticle,   2 Chloroplast parenchym,   3 Inner tissue,   4 Vascular bundles
• 
  Buds
• 
  Flower buds
• 
  Flowers
• 
  Plants of different sizes
• 
  A potted plant
• 
  Sucker

See also

• Medicinal plants
• Succulent plants

References

External links

• "Taxon: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f." U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. Retrieved 8 March 2020.

На других языках

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- [en] Aloe vera

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[es] Aloe vera

Aloe vera, llamado sábila, acíbar o áloe de Barbados, entre otros, es una especie suculenta de la familia Asphodelaceae. Con unas quinientas especies, el aloe está ampliamente distribuido y se considera una especie invasora en muchas regiones del mundo.[1][2]

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[fr] Aloe vera

L'Aloe vera est une espèce d'aloès (genre Aloe) d'origine incertaine mais cultivée de longue date en région méditerranéenne, Afrique du Nord, aux îles Canaries et au Cap-Vert. Utilisé depuis l'Antiquité, l'Aloe vera a été adopté dans les médecines traditionnelles de nombreuses régions chaudes du monde, d'Europe, du Moyen-Orient et d'Afrique du Nord d'abord, puis d'Inde, de Chine et d'Asie essentiellement après le Xe siècle et d'Amérique après le XVIIe siècle. Actuellement, le gel d'aloès entre principalement dans la composition de cosmétiques ou de boissons.

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[it] Aloe vera

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. è una pianta succulenta della famiglia delle Asphodelaceae[1][2], che predilige i climi caldi e secchi.

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[ru] Алоэ настоящее

Ало́э настоя́щее[3][4], или Ало́э ве́ра (лат. Áloë véra) — суккулентное травянистое растение; вид рода Алоэ (Aloe) подсемейства Асфоделовые (Asphodeloideae) семейства Асфоделовые (Asphodelaceae). Широко используется в медицине и косметике.

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