Herb comparison
Aloe (Aloe vera) vs Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
Both plants are listed as traditional remedies for 1 of the same condition, which is why they are easy to confuse. Their descriptions and full safety notes are below, free.
- About
- Aloe vera (syn. A. barbadensis) is a succulent commonly grown as a potted plant, notable for its thick, fleshy leaves that contain two distinct medicinal components. Historically, the inner clear gel was used for skin conditions and to promote wound healing (NCCIH), while the bitter yellow sap from the leaf base, often called “bitter aloes,” is a strong laxative.Guggul is a spiny shrub or tree growing to 6.5 feet with oval, serrated leaves, brownish-red flowers, and red fruits. The gum resin obtained from the bark forms pale yellow to brown 'tears' on the stems. Thriving in dry, semi-arid, and desert environments across much of the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, it has been valued in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia. Guggul has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and it has been studied for raised blood cholesterol; MSK says evidence is lacking for weight loss, studies on cholesterol are mixed, and one study suggests it may raise cholesterol.
- Safety & precautions
- The outer leaf sap contains anthraquinone glycosides (like aloin) that act as a strong stimulant laxative; NCCIH notes that in 2002 the FDA required aloe latex to be removed from over-the-counter laxative products because of a lack of safety data. Liver: Oral aloe leaf extracts have been tied to cases of acute hepatitis (NCCIH), and LiverTox rates oral aloe a likely but rare cause of liver injury. Pregnancy: NCCIH says aloe gel, latex, or whole leaf extract taken by mouth may be unsafe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Some herbalists advise that children and older adults not drink aloe juice containing the strong laxative compounds. Avoid internal use if suffering from kidney disease or hemorrhoids. Concentrated or unfiltered products (containing the outer rind) can be irritating.Avoid if breastfeeding. Because it thins the blood, do not use in persons who bleed easily or during pregnancy. Avoid with hyperthyroid disorders. Medicines: In a small study in healthy volunteers, a single dose of gugulipid lowered blood levels of propranolol and diltiazem, which could make those drugs less effective. Laboratory studies summarized by MSK suggest guggul induces the enzyme CYP3A4, which could lower levels of other medicines processed by it. Ask a pharmacist before combining guggul with prescription drugs.
Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.