Editing Aloe (section)

===Historical uses===
[[File:Aloe, Juliana Anicia Codex.jpg|thumb|Depiction of Aloe, labeled in Greek "ΑΛΟΗ" (Aloë) from the [[Juliana Anicia Codex]], a copy, written in [[Constantinople]] in 515 AD, of [[Dioscorides]]' 1st century AD work.<ref name="Folio 15 Juliana Anicia Codex">Folio 15 [[Juliana Anicia Codex]]</ref>]]
Historical use of various aloe species is well documented. Documentation of the clinical effectiveness is available, although relatively limited.<ref name=NIH/><ref>{{cite book|title=Aloes: the Genus ''Aloe'' |year=2004 |publisher=CRC Press |location=Boca Raton |isbn=978-0-415-30672-0 |editor=Tom Reynolds}}</ref>

Of the 500+ species, only a few were used traditionally as [[herbal medicine]]s, ''Aloe vera'' again being the most commonly used species. Also included are ''A. perryi'' and ''A. ferox''. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used ''Aloe vera'' to treat wounds. In the Middle Ages, the yellowish liquid found inside the leaves was favored as a [[purgative]].<ref name="Folio 15 Juliana Anicia Codex"/> Unprocessed aloe that contains [[aloin]] is generally used as a laxative, whereas processed juice does not usually contain significant aloin.<ref name=AloeSideEffects>{{cite web|url=http://www.superfoodliving.com/aloe-vera-juice-how-to-make-it-and-its-side-effects|title=Aloe Vera Juice - How to Make it and its Side Effects|date=November 20, 2015}}</ref>

According to [[Cancer Research UK]], a potentially deadly product called T-UP is made of concentrated aloe, and promoted as a cancer cure. They say "there is currently no evidence that aloe products can help to prevent or treat cancer in humans".<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/aloe-vera
|title=Aloe
|publisher=[[Cancer Research UK]]
|access-date=30 August 2013
|archive-date=6 August 2014
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806214058/http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/aloe-vera
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>