South African Aloe pieces – Aloe ferox

Aloe ferox grows naturally in the semi-arid regions of southern Africa. Unlike aloe vera, its leaves contain a resin that is more concentrated in aloin and has a strongly bitter taste. It has historically been used in purgative elixirs, but is now subject to strict regulations.

Description

Solidified resin extracted from the leaves, broken into irregular dark brown to black pieces. Hard, brittle texture, resinous odor, extremely bitter flavor. Can be dissolved in a decoction, macerated, or blended into external preparations.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Cape aloe, South African aloe, bitter aloe
• Latin name: Aloe ferox
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Part used: Latex (resin) extracted from the leaves
• Form: Pieces of dry resin
• Origin: South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana
• English name: Cape aloe / Bitter aloe
• German name: Kap-Aloe
• Name in Spanish: Aloe del Cabo
• Name in Italian: Aloe del Capo
• Name in Arabic: ألوة مرة (Alwa Murrah)

Main virtues

Aloe ferox has historically been used as a digestive stimulant and depurative in African and European traditions. In cosmetics, it is sometimes incorporated in very small doses into purifying or strengthening ointments.

Main constituents

Aloin, aloenin, bitter resins, polysaccharides, anthraquinones, enzymes, traces of essential oils.

Use and dosage

• Supervised decoction: 0.05 to 0.2 g in 250 ml of water – only to be prepared under qualified supervision.
• External use: dissolved in an oily or alcoholic base at very low concentration.
• Not intended for general or food use without prescription.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Plant subject to regulation. Prohibited for free consumption.
• Powerful laxative and irritating effects on the digestive tract.
• Strongly not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children or vulnerable people.

History and origin

Used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of southern Africa, Aloe ferox was exported to Europe as early as the 17th century to become part of classical pharmacopoeias. Its use can be found in drastic "purgative" preparations of the 19th century.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: in an airtight container, away from light and humidity.
• Packaging: thick kraft bag, metal box or tinted pot.
• Appearance: brown to black, brittle fragments.
• Odor: bitter, resinous, warm.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• African and European Pharmacopoeias
• Ethnobotany of medicinal plants of southern Africa
• Corpus of 19th-century pharmaceutical history

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