Supplement
Aloe vera is a succulent plant whose clear inner gel has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, used on skin and in the mouth. People often look at it for sunburn and mouth care, and for oral health the evidence is moderate: a review found a small improvement in dental health measures. That rests on one small study of 141 people, and pain showed no clear difference.
Sources: PMID 36504087
- Updated
- How we grade
- 8 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 8
- Outcomes
- 20
- Graded outcomes
- 0315
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose Small improvement in fasting blood glucose | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 2 studies | 328 people | ||
Studies that measured blood glucose | ||||||
| HbA1c | Changes; see studies | 310 people | ||||
| High-density lipoprotein (HDL) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 115 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 151 people | ||||
| Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) | Changes; see studies | 136 people | ||||
| Total cholesterol | Changes; see studies | 206 people | ||||
| Triglycerides | Changes; see studies | 206 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canker Sores Symptoms Small improvement in canker sore healing | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 2 studies | 140 people | ||
General Oral Health
- Dental Health Metrics: improves
- Pain
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Health Metrics Small improvement in dental health metrics | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 141 people | ||
Studies that measured dental health metrics | ||||||
| Pain No effect | NoneNo effect | 165 people | ||||
Type 2 Diabetes
- Blood glucose: improves
- HbA1c: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose Small improvement in blood glucose | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 2 studies | 310 people | ||
Studies that measured blood glucose | ||||||
| HbA1c | Changes; see studies | 310 people | ||||
Psoriasis
- Psoriasis Symptoms
- Pain
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psoriasis Symptoms No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 120 people | |||
Studies that measured psoriasis symptoms | ||||||
| Pain No effect on psoriasis pain | NoneNo effect | 456 people | ||||
Radiation Therapy Side-Effects
- Dermatitis Risk
- Erythema: improves
- Itching: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatitis Risk No effect on radiation dermatitis prevention | NoneNo effect | 763 people | ||||
| Erythema | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 833 people | |||
| Itching | Improves (the measure goes up) | 833 people | ||||
Skin Health
- Pain
- Psoriasis Symptoms: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain No effect on skin-related pain | NoneNo effect | 456 people | ||||
| Psoriasis Symptoms | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 120 people | |||
Studies that measured psoriasis symptoms | ||||||
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 151 people | |||
Studies that measured irritable bowel syndrome symptoms | ||||||
Key findings
- Blood glucoseImproves (the measure goes down)
- Canker Sores SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Dental Health MetricsImproves (the measure goes up)
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Third-party tested Aloe Vera products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.
- Grade B
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Studies cited
8 studies from PubMed
- Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis
- Acemannan, a Polysaccharide Extracted from Aloe vera, Is Effective in the Treatment of Oral Aphthous Ulceration
- Effects of Aloe Vera in the Treatment of Oral Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
- Efficacy of Aloe Vera Supplementation on Prediabetes and Early Non-Treated Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Effect of Aloe vera on glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Effects of Aloe vera in adults with mucocutaneous problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Natural and miscellaneous agents for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Is Effective and Safe in Short-term Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.