✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full Aloe Vera (oral) evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ Gel (inner leaf, decolorized) ≠ latex (outer leaf, aloin) — OPPOSITE safety profiles [1]
⚠ NTP: whole-leaf aloe = 'clear evidence of carcinogenic activity' in rats [1]
⚠ Look for 'decolorized' or 'aloin-free' on label [1]
⚠ Pregnancy — AVOID (uterotonic risk) [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
Potassium (if using latex/whole-leaf)
Potassium (if using latex/whole-leaf)
Reference range / target
3.5–5.0 mEq/L
3.5–5.0 mEq/L
Anthraquinone laxatives deplete K+ [1].
Full lab monitoring ↓⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
AVOID — uterotonic risk from anthraquinones [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Avoid latex/whole-leaf. Purified gel: limited data [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: Before meals [2].
💊 With food: Can dilute in water/juice [2].
🚫 Avoid: Whole-leaf products. Pregnancy. Latex/laxative products [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Decolorized/purified aloe juice (inner leaf)', 'preferred', 'Aloin removed. Safe for regular consumption. Soothing mucilaginous [2].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Whole-leaf aloe juice', '', 'Contains aloin (latex). Laxative. NOT recommended for regular use [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Aloe latex capsules', '', 'Anthraquinone laxative. Harsh. FDA removed from OTC [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Is aloe vera juice safe? ▼
DECOLORIZED inner-leaf juice (aloin removed): generally safe. WHOLE-LEAF juice (contains aloin): NOT safe for regular use — anthraquinone laxative with NTP carcinogenicity data [1].
What did the NTP study find? ▼
2-year study: whole-leaf aloe extract (non-decolorized) showed 'clear evidence of carcinogenic activity' in rats — specifically large intestinal tumors from chronic aloin/emodin exposure [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
NTP: whole-leaf aloe extract (containing aloin) showed clear carcinogenicity evidence in 2-year rat study [1]. FDA 2002: removed anthraquinone aloe from OTC laxatives [1]. Gel vs latex distinction: well-characterized chemistry [1]. HIGH
Moderate
Blood glucose: meta-analysis of 8 trials — aloe gel reduced FBG by ~30 mg/dL in diabetics [2]. Ulcerative colitis: one RCT showed aloe gel improved UC symptoms vs placebo [2]. IBS: some trials positive for symptom relief [2]. Wound healing (topical): well-supported [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Pregnancy — latex/whole-leaf forms are uterine-stimulant and laxative
✕ Intestinal obstruction or undiagnosed abdominal pain
Relative
⚠ Latex/anthraquinone forms — stimulant-laxative risks (electrolyte loss, dependence); avoid chronic use
⚠ Diabetes and antidiabetics — additive glucose lowering
⚠ Digoxin/diuretics — hypokalemia risk from the laxative effect
🚩 Red flags
● Patient on whole-leaf/non-decolorized aloe daily — cancer risk (NTP) [1]
● Diabetic on aloe + insulin — additive glucose lowering [2]
● Pregnancy [1]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
Diabetes medications Moderate
Mechanism: Aloe gel lowers FBG ~30 mg/dL in meta-analysis. [2]
Effect: Hypoglycemia risk. [2]
Action: Monitor glucose [2].
Digoxin Moderate
Mechanism: Aloe latex (laxative) causes K+ loss → increased digoxin sensitivity. [1]
Effect: Digoxin toxicity. [1]
Action: Avoid aloe latex. If using gel: monitor K+ [1].
Supplement synergies
Probiotics · Standard probiotic
Complementary GI support [2].
Complementary GI support [2].
7 Regulatory
United States (FDA): 2002: removed aloe anthraquinone laxatives from OTC. Inner-leaf gel: GRAS food ingredient [1].
NTP: Whole-leaf aloe: 'clear evidence of carcinogenic activity' in rats [1].
8 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Aloe Vera (oral) — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Jul 12]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/aloe-vera-oral/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Aloe Vera (oral) — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/aloe-vera-oral/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: January 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Aloe Vera (oral) — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/aloe-vera-oral/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG