Aloe vera references
Aloe vera

The bibliographic citations are derived from Medline databases through the National Library of Medicine.  

Summary of research

T Reynolds, AC Dweck (1999). Aloe vera leaf gel: a review update. J Ethnobotany, 68(1-3): 3-39.

Summary: This paper summarized the research since 1986 into therapeutic properties of aloe vera gel. Treatment of inflammation is still the primary use for aloe vera gel, though recent research has focused on immune system effects of isolated compounds. Allergic reactions to aloe vera has been documented.  There have also been studies on antibiotic actions, and uses for diabetes and cancer.   

Effects on blood sugar

al-Awadi FM, Gumaa KA (1987). Studies on the activity of individual plants of an antidiabetic plant mixture. Acta Diabetol Lat, 24(1):37-41.

Summary: Five plants used by Kuwaiti diabetics were studied in order to identify the active components.  The extracts of myrrh and aloe increased glucose tolerance in rats. Nigella sativa seeds (Roman coriander), Gum olibanum (Frankincense), and gum assafoetida had no effect on blood glucose.

al-Awadi F, Fatania H, Shamte U (1991). The effect of a plant mixture extract on liver gluconeogenesis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes Res 18(4):163-8.

Summary: The authors previously reported on the blood glucose lowering effect of a plant mixture extract comprised of Nigella sativa (Roman coriander), Myrrh, Gum Olibanum (Frankincense), Gum Asafoetida and Aloe. This study looked at the mechanism of action of this mixture, and found that the mixture may decrease the production of the precursors of glucose by the liver. The authors suggested that the extracts may be a useful therapy in treating non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

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