Basic information about aloe vera--common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Aloe vera's use can be traced back 6,000 years to early Egyptian civilization, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings. Known as the "plant of immortality," aloe was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs.

Common Names--aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant's gall

Latin Names--Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis

• Aloe leaves contain a clear gel that is often used as a topical ointment.
• The green part of the leaf that surrounds the gel can be used to produce a juice or a dried substance (called latex) that is taken by mouth.

• Traditionally, aloe was used topically to heal wounds and for various skin conditions, and orally as a laxative.
• Today, in addition to traditional uses, people take aloe orally to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and osteoarthritis. People use aloe topically for osteoarthritis, burns, and sunburns.
• Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin products, including lotions and sunblocks.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aloe vera as a natural food flavoring.