Aloe
This page has information on the use of aloe in people with cancer. There is information about
The aloe plant is one of the lily family. It is originally from West Africa but is now a common household plant in many countries. The most well known species of aloe is aloe vera. Its leaves are fleshy and cactus like. They contain a thin clear gel that people often use to soothe minor skin problems, such as
- Sunburn
- Cuts
- Superficial burns
Because of its softening properties, aloe vera gel is an ingredient of many skin and beauty products, such as cleansers, moisturisers and soaps. The gel can also be made into juice to drink.
An extract taken from inside the outer lining of the leaves is called aloe latex. It can be dried into brownish granules. These contain a substance which can help to treat constipation.
Some people claim that aloe vera can balance the immune system, or even treat and cure cancer. Studies have been carried out into this and some laboratory studies and early studies on animals seem to show that extracts from aloe may be helpful in boosting the immune system to attack cancer cells. But some types of aloe can cause severe side effects when used as a cancer treatment and should only be used under medical supervision.
Aloe vera is mostly used for skin conditions. Some people with cancer use aloe vera to help heal and soothe burns caused by their radiotherapy treatment. There is some evidence to support its use for minor skin problems and burns. Although there is no research evidence to show that aloe vera can help with burns caused by radiotherapy treatment many patients say that it helps to heal and soothe the skin. Many specialist nurses and radiotherapists also recommend its use.
Other aloe products are sold as treatment for constipation. If you are interested in trying aloe vera, or any other alternative therapy, talk to your doctor first. Germany's regulatory agency for herbs (Commission E) has approved aloe for treating constipation. In many countries, including the UK, aloe products are available as dietary supplements.
More rarely, people use aloe vera as an injection, capsule or drink to try and treat their cancer. Information about aloe capsules and drinks is discussed below. We don’t recommend that you replace your conventional cancer treatment with any other type of alternative cancer therapy such as aloe vera. Aloe vera injections are not available in the UK and have caused serious side effects and even deaths when used as a cancer treatment.
This section has information on research into using aloe for
- Treating and controlling the side effects of cancer treatment
- Treating, preventing and curing cancer
Aloe contains many different chemicals and compounds.
Treating and controlling the side effects of cancer treatment
Several trials have looked at using aloe vera gel directly on the skin to help prevent and lessen skin reactions from radiotherapy. In 2007 a systematic review looked at all the studies that have been carried out into aloe vera gel for skin reactions. They found that there was no evidence to suggest that aloe vera works in preventing or lessening skin reactions. But many patients say that they have found it helpful. Further research is needed to find out whether aloe vera can help.
Aloe vera can help to soften skin around wounds and prevent dryness as they heal. Some early research seems to suggest that it may help wounds to heal. But always check with your doctor before using it.
A trial in 2004 investigating aloe extract for preventing or treating mouth ulcers in people having radiotherapy for head and neck cancer showed that it didn’t help.
Treating, preventing and curing cancer
Some laboratory studies have been carried out using extracts from the aloe plant. One study showed that aloe emodin can block the growth of head and neck cancer cells in test tubes. Emodin can also stop liver cancer cells growing in test tubes. Acemannan is a substance taken from the aloe vera leaf and it can stimulate mouse immune cells to make cancer killing chemicals (cytokines). One test tube study has shown that aloeride (a starch compound found in aloe juice) can stimulate the immune system to produce cancer killing chemicals. Another compound made from aloe vera, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), has been found to stop the development of leukaemia cells in test tubes. These are all early research studies and it is not clear whether these substances will work as cancer treatments in humans. It is also not clear how safe these chemicals are when given to humans.
Early studies of aloe substances in laboratory animals seem to suggest that some of the chemicals found in aloe may have helpful effects on the immune system and can shrink some cancers.
One study in Italy of 240 patients reported in 2009. It tested aloe vera alongside chemotherapy for people with metastatic lung cancer, bowel cancer, and stomach cancer. Half the patients took aloe arborescens as a liquid 3 times a day during standard chemotherapy treatment. In this study the cancer was controlled or shrank for a time in 67% of patients who had the combined aloe and chemotherapy treatment and in 50% of patients who had chemotherapy alone. In this study the researchers said that patients taking the aloe vera had a better quality of life and that they had fewer chemotherapy side effects such as numb fingers and fatigue. They also said that there were no ill effects from the aloe vera. More patients who had the aloe vera survived for 3 years than patients who just had chemotherapy. Although this research seems positive the researchers said that there are some concerns about the study. The researchers knew which patients were receiving aloe vera and they may have influenced the results. The study also involved patients who were quite ill with metastatic cancer. It is not clear how well aloe vera would work in patients with earlier stage cancer. The researchers recommend that further research is done to confirm or disprove these findings.
A US company produced an aloe vera product called T-UP that you can drink or inject into your bloodstream. It is promoted by some people as an alternative cancer cure. This product hasn’t been proven in clinical trials to help treat or cure cancer and in the USA it is illegal to inject aloe vera. Using it in this way can cause very serious side effects and some people have died from it. The injection is not available in the UK or USA but is used by clinics in some other countries.
Aloe vera squeezed directly from the leaves of the plant can be put straight onto your skin to help heal minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Some people have an aloe vera plant in their home to use in this way. You can also buy it in health food shops and chemists as a gel or cream.
You can get other aloe products such as aloe latex and aloe juice as a liquid or capsules from health food shops or chenists, to help treat constipation. They can work well for some people but you should never take more than the recommended dose. Always let your doctor know about any complementary therapies or supplements that you use. There is information about constipation and its treatment in the coping physically section of CancerHelp UK.
A product called T-UP is made of concentrated aloe. Some people promote T-UP as an alternative cancer therapy that you can either drink or inject directly into a tumour or bloodstream. T-UP injections have caused death in several patients with cancer. They are illegal in the USA and are not available in the UK.
Using aloe vera on the skin to help treat and soothe minor skin burns and cuts is generally very safe and can work well.
Taking aloe vera as a liquid or capsules that are swallowed can cause side effects for some people. These are usually mild but for some people may cause more of a problem. They may include
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling and being sick
- A skin rash
- Stomach pain
- Thyroid problems
There are a few reports of serious problems in a few people, such as liver inflammation (hepatitis), blood clotting problems and one report of low blood potassium levels in a woman having treatment for breast cancer. Aloe products can be powerful laxatives and there are some reports of serious upset to the usual balance of body chemicals after severe diarrhoea. These side effects are more likely to occur if you take very high doses.
Aloe vera injections called T-UP used as a cancer treatment have caused death in several people. Aloe vera should never be injected.
Aloe vera may interact with other drugs or herbs so always talk to your doctor before you begin taking it.
The price varies depending on
- The form you buy it in (cream, gel, liquid)
- The dosage
- The amount you buy
- Where you buy it (health food shops, chemist or online)
Many aloe vera products are available to buy in health food shops, chemists and over the internet. Generally the products aren’t that expensive. But if you buy online the prices can vary.
The amount of aloe vera in each product can vary too. Some may not even contain the amount stated on the label. There are hundreds of manufacturers trying to sell their products. Unfortunately, by law they don’t have to test their product for safety or effectiveness. And many don’t! So our advice is to buy with caution. It is best to make sure that the product is approved by the International Aloe Science Council.
We don’t recommend that you take aloe vera as an injection because this can cause some very serious side effects.
Of course, people make their own decisions about using complementary and alternative cancer therapies. We don't recommend alternative therapies in place of conventional treatment because there is often little (if any) scientific or medical evidence to back up the claims made for these therapies. If you have cancer, using methods such as aloe vera instead of conventional medical treatment can be very harmful to your health.
Always check with your doctor before you start using any type of complementary or alternative treatment. That way, they will always have the full picture about your care and treatment. It is also very important to find out all you can about the therapy before deciding to use it. Look in our about complementary therapy section for more information about why you should tell your doctor if you are using any type of therapy.
Our message is
- Be careful
- Be wary of any claims that aloe vera can treat or cure your cancer
- Check and compare prices if you are buying aloe vera products
- Make sure you look into the information that is available
- Talk to your cancer doctor before you buy it
Our section about complementary and alternative therapies is a useful place to start for general information about complementary and alternative therapies in cancer care. Some of the complementary therapy organisations can offer more information about using aloe vera.
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