(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)
Barbados:
- aloe
Trinidad and Tobago:
- aloe
Guadeloupe:
- lalwé
Puerto Rico:
- sábila
Venezuela:
- sábila
"crystal", in cataplasm1
According to published and other information:
Use for asthma, colds, baldness, cuts, bounds and skin rashes is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented inthe TRAMIL surveys, toxicity studies, scientific validation, and published scientific information.
Due to the health risks related to asthma, an initial medical evaluation is recommended. The use of this plant remedy should be considered complementary to medical treatment. There is no available information about its use for asthmatic crisis.
For topical application, strict hygiene measures should be observed in order to avoid contamination or additional infection.
Not for oral administration to pregnant or lactating women or to children under 5 years of age. The use of this resource should be avoided in cases of diabetes mellitus.
The gel can cause reactions of hypersensitivity. It should not be used if it has turned a reddish color.
When cutting out the gelatinous part of the leaf, avoid contact with the yellow juice. This juice can cause reactions of skin hypersensitivity or, if swallowed, it can have laxative effects.
Use for asthma or colds:
Peal the leaf and blend 15-30 grams (1-2 spoonfuls) of the “crystal” (gel, pulp, mesophyll) with 250 mL (1 cup) of water. Drink 1 cup 3 times a day.
Prepare a decoction or infusion with 15-30 grams of gel in 250 mL (1 cup) of water. For decoction, boil for at least 10 minutes in covered pot. For infusion, add boiling water to 15-30 grams (1-2 spoonfuls) of gel, cover, and let cool. Drink 1 cup 3 times a day.
For baldness, cuts, bounds and skin rashes:
Wash and peal the leaf, cut 15-30 grams (1-2 spoonfuls) of gel and apply to affected area of skin or scalp, twice a day.
1 BENEDETTI MD, 1994
Encuesta TRAMIL. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
2 ZAMBRANO LE, 2007
Encuesta TRAMIL en Guareguare, Miranda. UCV, Caracas, Venezuela.
3 FAUJOUR A, MURREY D, CHELTENHAM-CORBIN B, CARRINGTON S, 2003
TRAMIL survey. enda-caribbean, IICA & UAG, Saint Thomas, Barbados.
4 DELAIGUE J, 2005
TRAMIL survey. UAG & PRDI, Tobago House of Assembly, Scarborough, Tobago.
5 BALZ E, BOYER A, BURAUD M, 2007
Enquête TRAMIL à Marie-Galante. U. Bordeaux 3, U. Paris XI Chatenay-Malabry, UAG, Guadeloupe.
6 BOULOGNE I, 2008
Enquête TRAMIL, Les Saintes, UAG, Guadeloupe (FWI).
7 MEDLINE PLUS 2009
Aloe (Aloe vera L.) U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. URL: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-aloe.html
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36 DAVIS RH, LEITNER MG, RUSSO JM, 1987
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37 DAVIS RH, LEITNER MG, RUSSO JM, 1988
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46 LUSHBAUGH CC, HALE DB, 1953
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48 NORTHWAY RB, 1975
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50 FULTON JE, 1990
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54 THOMPSON JE, 1991
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73 SAYED MD, 1980
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76 COUTTS BC, 1979
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