Aloe Vera

Identity

Common Name

Aloe Vera

Scientific Name

Aloe barbadensis miller

Botanical Family

Asphodelaceae

Native Region

Arabian Peninsula (cultivated worldwide)

Cultivation Regions

Mexico, India, Caribbean, Mediterranean, worldwide

Plant Parts Used

Inner leaf gel

Synonyms

Aloe Barbadensis, True Aloe, Lily of the Desert

Caffeine Level

Caffeine Free

A succulent rosette with thick fleshy grey-green serrated lance leaves, a tall spike of tubular yellow-orange flowers, and a clear mucilaginous gel inside the leaves; the inner leaf gel is the part used.

Historical Background

Aloe vera has been a revered plant of Egyptian, Sumerian, Greek, and Ayurvedic medicine for millennia, used for skin and digestive comfort. The clear inner gel — distinct from the bitter laxative latex — is blended into soothing drinks and tonics across cultures.

Earliest recorded uses: Ancient Egyptian, Sumerian, Greek, and Ayurvedic use for millennia; a prized skin and digestive plant.

Traditional Uses

These uses document historical traditions and do not imply proven effectiveness.

Flavor & Aroma

Aroma: Mild, green, slightly vegetal, clean

Tea Information

Research Summary

Aloe vera gel has a long tradition for skin and digestive soothing. Clinical evidence is limited and mixed; the inner gel is generally safe, but the whole-leaf latex is unsafe for internal use. It is not a treatment for diabetes, IBD, burns, or any disease.

Evidence levels reflect the currently available scientific literature and may change as new research emerges. Where evidence is limited or conflicting, this is stated plainly.

References & Sources