The aloe plant is a member of the lily family. This common household plant came originally from Africa, and can be found in a variety of species, the most common of which is the aloe vera plant. Aloe vera plants have dark green leaves that look like small cacti but are soft and supple. The gel from aloe vera is a clear, jelly-like substance found in the inner part of the leaves.

Aloe vera is a common ingredient in many skin creams and lotions, cosmetics, and burn and wound ointments. It contains many chemicals, including carbohydrate polymers, that soothe and moisturize the skin. This external use of aloe for the relief of minor cuts and burns appears to be safe and effective.

However, proponents of alternative cancer treatments have promoted a cancer cure called T-UP, a concentrated form of aloe which they claim is effective against all types of cancer, including liver and prostate cancers. Proponents claim aloe boosts the immune system and acts directly on abnormal cells, thus preventing or treating cancer. The idea is based on results from studies suggesting use of aloe caused some skin tumors to shrink in laboratory animals. These studies also reported that in certain doses and forms, aloe caused death in animals.

From 1996 to 1997, a company based in Maryland began producing and selling T-UP to be used orally and by injection as treatment for cancer, AIDS, herpes, and other auto-immune disorders. In the summer of 1999, the US Attorney?s Office and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicted the makers of T-UP on 20 different charges including various forms of fraud, promoting and selling an unapproved drug, and conspiracy. The makers of T-UP were charged with misleading cancer patients by making false claims including claiming FDA approval for their drug, which was never granted.

There is no scientific evidence that aloe is effective in treating cancer at all in humans. Several cancer patients have died as a direct result of receiving aloe injections, and aloe injections are now illegal in the United States. Animal studies have shown that aloe is effective as a treatment for a certain type of rare muscle cancer in cats and dogs, and perhaps as an effective treatment against radiation-induced skin reactions in animals, but similar results have not been found in humans.

While the German Commission E (Germany?s regulatory agency for herbs) has approved aloe for the treatment of constipation, there are mixed reports about the safety of taking aloe orally. Side effects may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and electrolyte (chemical) imbalance, especially at high doses.

As with any herbal remedy, the American Cancer Society recommends discussing the remedy with your doctor before you consider taking it, as it may interact with other drugs or treatments you may be receiving or it may be harmful given by itself. Herbal remedies are not regulated by the FDA and may vary in strength and potency.