Evidence supporting the use of: Aloe vera
For the health condition: Conjunctivitis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Aloe vera has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various skin and mucous membrane conditions due to its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. In the context of conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye), historical and folk practices in various cultures have sometimes included the topical application of diluted aloe vera extracts to the eyes to reduce irritation and inflammation. The rationale is based on the plant’s content of bioactive compounds such as aloin, aloe-emodin, and polysaccharides, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects in laboratory studies. However, robust clinical evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of aloe vera for conjunctivitis in humans is lacking. Only a handful of in vitro (test tube) and small animal studies suggest that aloe vera extract may have antiviral and antibacterial effects, potentially relevant to infectious conjunctivitis. Despite these findings, no high-quality, peer-reviewed clinical trials have established aloe vera as a safe or effective treatment for eye infections in humans. Additionally, inappropriate use of plant extracts in the eye can pose risks of irritation or allergic reaction. Therefore, while aloe vera’s use for conjunctivitis is primarily justified by traditional practices and anecdotal reports, it is not currently supported by strong scientific evidence. Mainstream medical guidance does not recommend aloe vera for this purpose, and patients with conjunctivitis should seek medical assessment for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Other health conditions supported by Aloe vera

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Age Spots
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Boils
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Convalescence
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cysts
Dandruff
Denture Sores
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diaper Rash
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Enteritis
Fever
Foot Odor
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hiatal Hernia
Indigestion
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Injuries
Interstitial Cystitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Jock Itch
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Liver Detoxification
Menopause
Oral Surgery
Overacidity
Poison Ivy or Oak
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Shingles
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Slivers
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Stretch Marks
Stye
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toothache
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Urethritis
Urinary Tract Infections
Urination (burning or painful)
Urine (scant)
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginitis
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles