About Aloe Vera
Inner leaf gel contains acemannan (acetylated mannose polysaccharide) with immunomodulatory properties demonstrated primarily in vitro and animal models — oral bioavailability in humans is poorly characterized. Small, low-quality RCTs show potential benefits for IBS symptom relief and blood glucose reduction in type 2 diabetes. A few small RCTs suggest oral aloe sterols may improve skin hydration. Whole-leaf preparations contain anthraquinones (aloin) with strong laxative effects and potential genotoxicity (NTP 2013 bioassay) — inner gel extracts are preferred. Topical wound healing is better supported than oral supplementation.
What Aloe Vera supports
- May support digestive comfort (limited evidence)
- Small RCTs suggest oral aloe sterols may improve skin hydration
How much Aloe Vera to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
100–400
mg
Oral gel extract doses of 100–400 mg/day in clinical studies. Inner gel (acemannan-rich) is preferred over whole-leaf preparations which contain anthraquinone laxatives.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Small, low-quality RCTs for IBS and blood glucose; oral mucositis evidence is topical only — oral supplementation evidence is limited overall
NIH Fact Sheet