Aloe vera gel consists of the clear gel from the center of fresh leaves of Aloe vera and related aloes. Active ingredients include mono- and polysaccharides (e.g., acemannan, glucomannan), allantoin, enzymes (e.g., cyclooxygenase, amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, carboxypeptidase), and salicylic acid. It should not be confused with Aloe latex which comes from the inner portion of the skin and contains potent anthraquinone laxatives. Aloe latex should not be used during breastfeeding.[1]
Aloe vera gel has been used topically on the nipples during nursing to help heal cracked nipples. A meta-analysis of studies on nipple pain and irritation concluded that Aloe vera can be considered a choice for relieving breast pain or irritation in lactating women compared with routine care or another treatment.[2] Aloe outperformed olive oil, lanolin and breastmilk.[3-6] Topical aloe has also been combined with a cactus leaf preparation and massage to treat engorgement.[7] Aloe arborescens gel from leaves applied as a poultice to the nipples of nursing mothers reduced the redness of the nipples compared to a control group.[8] If Aloe is applied to the nipples, it should be washed off before nursing the infant because the taste might adversely affect nursing or cause diarrhea in the infant.[9,10] Aloe vera gel has caused itching, burning, and allergic contact dermatitis, possibly from contamination with the irritating latex from the leaves.[11,12]
Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information