Last verified: 17 days ago
Aloe Ferox
Also known as: Cape Aloe, Bitter Aloe, Aloe ferox Mill., South African Aloe
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
South African medicinal plant with early evidence for skin health and metabolic benefits. Research is very limited.
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What it does
Aloe ferox is a succulent plant native to South Africa, related to but distinct from the more familiar Aloe vera. Early research suggests its gel may help reduce skin inflammation and support...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
460 mg/day based on one small clinical trial; no established dose for other uses
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Found in
What the Science Says
Aloe ferox is a succulent plant native to South Africa, related to but distinct from the more familiar Aloe vera. Early research suggests its gel may help reduce skin inflammation and support wound healing when applied topically. One small clinical trial in obese adults found that taking 460 mg daily for 3 months was associated with modest reductions in BMI, LDL cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar, though the study was very small and results should be interpreted cautiously.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to detox your body — 'detoxifying' is a marketing term with no clinical backing here. No solid evidence it treats obesity on its own. Don't expect it to replace diabetes or cholesterol medications. The laxative effect is real but not a weight-loss mechanism. No human evidence it fights intestinal parasites.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Topical gel may reduce skin inflammation and IgE levels in atopic dermatitis, outperforming Aloe vera in animal models.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: Topical gel application; human dose not established
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Gel extract promotes wound closure in lab cell studies, achieving ~94% closure within 48 hours.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established human dose
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Oral supplementation was linked to lower fasting blood glucose in obese adults in one small trial.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 460 mg/day for 3 months
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
May reduce LDL cholesterol and BMI in obese adults when combined with dietary changes.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 460 mg/day for 3 months
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic data provided in the available studies. The gel form appears to work topically; oral absorption has not been characterized in the provided research.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Only one very small human clinical trial (20 people per group) supports metabolic claims — results may not hold up in larger studies
- Contains anthraquinones, which have laxative effects and can cause side effects with prolonged use; the clinical study itself noted it can only be taken for limited periods
- Widely sold in over 1,000 registered supplement products despite minimal human clinical evidence
- Animal and in vitro studies make up the majority of the evidence base — these do not reliably predict effects in humans
- No standardized dosing guidelines exist across products
Products Containing Aloe Ferox
See how Aloe Ferox is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aloe Ferox do?
South African medicinal plant with early evidence for skin health and metabolic benefits. Research is very limited.
What is the effective dose of Aloe Ferox?
460 mg/day based on one small clinical trial; no established dose for other uses
Is Aloe Ferox safe?
Only one very small human clinical trial (20 people per group) supports metabolic claims — results may not hold up in larger studies
What doesn't Aloe Ferox do?
Not proven to detox your body — 'detoxifying' is a marketing term with no clinical backing here.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25