Aloe
芦荟 · Lú Huì
Powerful laxative and skin-soothing classic
What it does
Aloe relieves stubborn constipation and cools the heat behind red eyes, headaches, and irritability. In TCM, this is the dried, concentrated juice of the aloe leaf, not the cooling gel most people know. It clears liver heat, the system TCM links to those symptoms. The fresh gel, though less central in TCM, is widely used topically for burns. Cold and bitter, so it's strictly short-term.
How to take it
Apply fresh aloe gel directly to burns, scrapes, or irritated skin. For internal use, take dried aloe extract (50–100mg) at bedtime for severe constipation, short-term only.
Keep a fresh aloe plant for cuts and small burns. Cut off a leaf as needed
Safety
- Strong laxative effect. Long-term use can damage your colon and cause dependency
- Skip during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Topical gel is generally safe, but test for allergic reaction before larger use
- Do not apply gel to deep wounds or use internal aloe for diarrhea
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Aloe has been used across the Mediterranean, Africa, Middle East, and Asia for thousands of years. The dried resin form was traded along the Silk Road and entered Chinese medicine by the Tang Dynasty. The fresh gel inside the leaf is a cooling first aid that the ancient Egyptians used on wounds. Modern interest has exploded with 27 clinical trials and 38 systematic reviews, focusing largely on dental health, skin healing, and metabolic conditions like diabetes.