What is Gum of Aloe?

The Plant

Aloe is a plant native to Africa and the Arabian peninsula. There are more than 400 species in the genus. However, different varieties and species of the plant are grown as agricultural products in large farms in South Africa, Kenya, Venezuela and Mexico.

The Gum

Gum of aloe is found in the inside of all aloe plant leaves. It is found in the pericylic cells that surround the phloem and xylem of the plant. Most species of this genus produce the sap. However, the aloe barbadensis miller, aloe secundiflora and aloe forex produce the best quality liquid. Aloin, derived from the aloe leaf, was once a common ingredient used in laxative products. However, this component of the aloe leaf was banned by the FDA and is generally removed during the processing procedure. Excessive ingestion of this component can lead to cathartic reaction by irritating the large intestine.

Uses

The sap or yellow juice (gum) is refined from the raw product for use in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries in the form of bath salts and oils, body oils, soaps, creams, lotions and a myriad of medicines used to cure ulcers, diabetes, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and genital herpes.