General poisoning notes:

Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) is the common "Aloe vera" found in extracts that are used in cosmetics and medicinal products. The latex from under the skin can cause a cathartic action because it irritates the large intestine; anthraquinones color alkaline urine red. An excessive dose may cause nephritis (Lampe and McCann 1985). Contact dermatitis can also result from contact with this plant.

References:

Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp.

Schenkel, B., Vorherr, H. 1974. Non-prescription drugs during pregnancy: potential teratogenic and toxic effects upon embryo and fetus. J. Reprod. Med., 12: 33.

Spoerke, D. G., Ekins, B. R. 1980. Aloe vera - fact or quackery. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 22: 418-424.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis Mill.

Vernacular name(s): aloe - A. barbadensis

Scientific family name: Liliaceae

Vernacular family name: lily

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Toxic parts:

latex

References:

Schenkel, B., Vorherr, H. 1974. Non-prescription drugs during pregnancy: potential teratogenic and toxic effects upon embryo and fetus. J. Reprod. Med., 12: 33.

Spoerke, D. G., Ekins, B. R. 1980. Aloe vera - fact or quackery. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 22: 418-424.

Toxic plant chemicals:

aloe-emodin

References:

Spoerke, D. G., Ekins, B. R. 1980. Aloe vera - fact or quackery. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 22: 418-424.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

catharsis
nephritis

References:

Schenkel, B., Vorherr, H. 1974. Non-prescription drugs during pregnancy: potential teratogenic and toxic effects upon embryo and fetus. J. Reprod. Med., 12: 33.

Spoerke, D. G., Ekins, B. R. 1980. Aloe vera - fact or quackery. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 22: 418-424.

Information Source: ©Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility.