Aloe vera · Aloe family (Asphodelaceae)
Hi, I'm Aloe! My fat leaves are full of cool, slimy gel.
Aloe gel on the skin may help small burns heal faster and hurt less.
🟡 Scientists think so
Scientists are testing aloe gel for spots and other skin problems. They are not sure yet.
🟠 Still being studied
In grown-ups with diabetes, aloe drinks lowered blood sugar a little in some studies.
🟡 Scientists think so
The bitter yellow aloe juice is a very strong medicine for grown-ups who can't poop. It is not for kids.
🟡 Scientists think so
For kids Pills, powders & oils: ask a grown-up first
A grown-up can put aloe gel on a small burn or sunburn. Never eat or drink aloe from a plant: the yellow juice is a strong laxative.
⛔ Avoid
Never eat or drink aloe from a plant. Only a grown-up can put aloe gel on your skin.
⛔ Avoid
Mums expecting a baby should not eat or drink aloe.
⛔ Avoid
Mums who breastfeed should not take aloe by mouth.
⚠️ Ask a doctor first
Aloe pills and drinks have made some people's liver sick.
⚠️ Ask a doctor first
People taking heart medicine must ask their doctor before using aloe juice.
👀 Be careful
If aloe gel makes your skin burn or itch, wash it off and tell a grown-up.
Natural does not always mean safe. Always ask a grown-up before trying something new, and a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Try the safety check →
Aloe vera is a spiky green plant from hot, dry places. Its thick leaves store water, so it can live for a long time without rain.
Inside each leaf is a clear gel. People put it on small burns and sunburn. Just under the leaf skin there is also a bitter yellow juice. That part is a strong medicine and is not for eating.
🔵 Grandma's wisdom — not proven by science
Aloe is not a cactus! It belongs to a different plant family, but it also loves the desert.
Aloe grows baby plants called pups around its base. You can replant them!
The gel inside the leaf is mostly water.
💡 Watch out for the little spikes on the edges of the leaves.
Answer 3 questions. Get 2 right to win this plant’s badge for your garden!
Where does aloe keep its water?
Its thick, juicy leaves store water for dry days.
What should you do with aloe from a plant?
Aloe from the plant is not food. A grown-up can use the gel on skin.
Is aloe vera a cactus?
Aloe looks a bit like a cactus, but it belongs to a different plant family.
🏅 You earned the Aloe vera badge!
Almost! Read the page again and retry — you can do it! 💪
Print it, cut it out and collect them all!
Aloe vera
Cuts, burns & wounds
Skin
Blood sugar
🤩 Aloe is not a cactus! It belongs to a different plant family, but it also loves the desert.
General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal supplement — especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, before surgery, or if you take medicines. Medical disclaimer
| Use | Evidence | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cuts, burns & wounds | 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) | Clinical research suggests topical aloe gel may speed burn healing and reduce burn-related pain[1]. |
| Skin | 🟠 Early evidence (lab or animal studies only) | Two small studies suggest topical aloe gel, combined with other treatments, may improve acne; small amounts of research exist for psoriasis, lichen planus, genital herpes and radiation skin damage[1]. |
| Blood sugar | 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) | A small amount of research suggests oral aloe may reduce blood glucose and HbA1c in people with diabetes[1]. |
| Tummy & digestion | 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) | Dried aloe juice (aloes) is accepted in the EU for short-term treatment of occasional constipation, based on well-established use, in people over 12 and for no longer than 1 week[2]. |
✅ Reviewed by sm_owner on September 26, 2026.
Last updated September 25, 2026. How we write and check our pages
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