If you’ve ever read through the ingredients on your supplements and wondered what exactly aloe leaf extract is, then this short article should help enlighten you. We’re going to start by taking a look at what aloe leaf extract is in the first place before going over its benefits and the various forms that it comes in.
What is Aloe Leaf Extract?
Aloe leaf extract is produced using aloe vera, which is a gel that comes from the leaves of aloe plants. These plants are succulents, so they resemble cacti, and aloe vera has been used for millennia to treat both illnesses and for cosmetic reasons, however aloe vera whole leaf extract is a bit different.
How to Extract Aloe Vera Gel from Leaf
The first step in producing aloe leaf extract is extracting aloe vera gel from leaf. This is even possible on your own using a sharp enough knife. All you have to do is place a leaf flat on a cutting board and remove the hard external parts of the plant until you reveal the gel itself.
When producing aloe leaf extract, there are typically larger processing machines that are responsible for doing this far quicker than would be possible by hand. When the gel has been taken out of the leaf, it will then be processed so that it can be turned into extract.
This consists of removing any remaining pulp in the aloe as well as any fibers that are left behind. At this point, the extract will be ready for use, but it can also be further processed into different forms, which we’ll cover later.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Benefits
There are many benefits to using aloe leaf extract, and one of the most common uses throughout history has been using aloe barbadensis leaf extract in skin care. There is much anecdotal evidence that promotes aloe’s ability to lead to healthier skin, but this is also backed up by clinical studies.
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract skin benefits that have been outlined by scientific studies include its ability to help wounds heal faster. For example, this clinical review covered how 23 trials showed that the supplement can help heal burn wounds, skin ulcers, psoriasis, and genital herpes.
Other aloe barbadensis leaf extract uses include its ability to be used as a laxative. Studies have shown that the extract can have long-term laxative effects, making it useful for IBS patients or people who are suffering from temporary constipation. The supplement is sometimes used by those suffering from constipation during a cycle of antibiotics.
That very same study went on to mention several other aloe leaf extract benefits, including its ability to regulate blood glucose levels. Finally, this study covered the benefits of using aloe barbadensis leaf extract for hair, with signs of it promoting hair growth when applied topically.
Is Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Safe?
One of the more significant risks of using this supplement is if you suffer from an aloe barbadensis leaf extract allergy. In this case, your skin may end up turning red or exhibiting other signs of a rash if you apply it or use it, so be sure to try it out in smaller amounts if it’s your first time using it.
Improperly processed aloe barbadensis extract can also potentially increase your risk of colon cancer. This is due to the aloin, which is the layer of the plant that you’ll find between the tough outer skin and the gel on the inside.
Thankfully, you typically won’t find aloin in any reputable aloe leaf extracts because of the stringent guidelines under which these extracts are processed.
If you want to ensure that your use of aloe leaf extract is safe, you’ll also want to ensure that you don’t take large doses of it orally, though it will typically take an unreasonably large dose to make you sick. In most cases, oral use of aloe leaf extract is perfectly safe, provided you’re keeping your consumption within reasonable limits.
Types of Aloe Leaf Extract
There are various kinds of aloe leaf extract, including non decolorized aloe vera leaf extract, which will still retain some of its natural green color. There are also a few different types of aloe, with aloe barbadensis being the most popular choice and the one that most studies have been conducted on.
There other different kinds of aloe leaf extract include aloe saporina, aloe arborescens, and aloe maculata. Since these other types of aloe haven’t been studied anywhere near as excessively as aloe barbadensis, it’s usually not a good idea to opt for them unless you’ve done extensive research.