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

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Synopsis

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

Aloe vera is used to support or treat dandruff primarily based on preliminary scientific evidence, along with a history of traditional use. Dandruff is commonly associated with scalp irritation, dryness, and the overgrowth of Malassezia yeast. Aloe vera gel contains polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and other bioactive compounds that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and moisturizing effects in laboratory studies and limited clinical trials. A small randomized controlled trial published in 1999 (Vardy et al., 1999) found that topical application of aloe vera extract significantly reduced symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis (a condition closely related to dandruff) compared to placebo. The study reported improvements in scaling and itching, suggesting that aloe vera may help alleviate dandruff symptoms through its soothing and antifungal properties. Additionally, aloe vera’s hydration and wound-healing effects may help restore the scalp barrier and reduce flakiness. However, the number of high-quality clinical studies is small, and most evidence comes from in vitro or animal models or small human trials, so the overall strength of evidence is moderate to low. In summary, while aloe vera’s use for dandruff is partly rooted in traditional practices, there is enough preliminary scientific evidence to justify its inclusion in some dandruff treatments, though more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and optimal use.

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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