Aloe or aloes consists of the solid residue obtained by evaporating the liquid (aloetic juice) which drains from the transversely cut leaves of various species of Aloe (Liliaceae).

Commercial Importance

The drug aloes is of historical importance being used as a purgative since 4th century BC by the Greeks. Though it is still of some pharmaceutical significance, the fresh mucilaginous gel (called aloe vera gel) obtained from a group of cells different from those yielding the aloetic juice has in recent years become very big business in the herbal and cosmetic industry. It is advocated for use in numerous conditions and is widely promoted as a moisturizer and wound healing agent for use in the treatment of burns, abrasions and other skin conditions. Aloe is a well-known medicinal plant widely used in modern herbal practice and often available in proprietary herbal preparations.