Native of northern Africa, A. barbadensis was introduced into Barbados islands in the 17th century. Employed as a purgative the drug was known in England in the 10th century. A. chinensis, a variety of A. barbadensis was introduced into Curacao from China in 1817. The drug was cultivated to a considerable extent in Barbados until the middle of the 19th century.

Though now rarely prescribed alone as a purgative, the activity of aloe is increased when it is administered with small quantities of soap or alkaline salts. Carminatives moderate its tendency to cause griping. Still used as a pharmaceutical aid in Compound Tincture of Benzoin because of its drastic cathartic action, aloe is no longer prescribed as a purgative drug.

Fresh leaf exudate is also taken as laxative or purgative and is externally applied as a refrigerant to treat acne or cuts. Mixed with other ingredients to mask its bitter taste, it is taken to treat asthma and coughs. The exudate is used as a bittering agent for food and beer. Aloe gel, the mucilage from the central cells, has a multitude of medicinal applications. The gel or peeled leaves are generally applied to treat skin afflictions and burns, wounds and abrasions as a poultice on contusions or as a general refrigerant. The gel is also applied externally to cure haemorrhoids. It is further used as hair wash to promote hair growth and against dandruff and as a general cosmetic to improve complexion. As a food supplement, aloe vera gel is used to facilitate digestion and to improve blood and lymphatic circulation, kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.

A stabilized product is prepared from the mucilage by many different proprietary or patented methods, some of which involve expression or solvent extraction under harsh conditions. Scientific studies have substantiated the cell proliferative properties of the fresh mucilaginous gel.