Cape Aloe – Aloe ferox

Common Names: Cape Aloe, Bitter Aloe, Red Aloe, Aloe, Aloe ferox, Cape aloes, True Aloe, African Aloe, Aloe capensis, Wild Aloe, Medicine Plant, Zulu Aloe, aloes hrozny, African Birch

Latin Name: Aloe capensis

Origin: Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America

Short Introduction

Cape Aloe stands out due to its size and full, colorful inflorescences, making it a popular ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions. In temperate climates such as central Europe, it is cultivated mostly in botanical gardens—like those in Prague and Děčín, where it can be seen under glass.

For centuries, the latex (dried resin) of Cape Aloe, obtained from wild plants in South Africa, has been used as a traditional laxative under the name Cape Aloe. Leaves are arranged in circles in pits lined with foil, and juice that seeps from the leaves is collected and dried over fire. The fresh latex is a very bitter yellow liquid; when dried, it turns black. The inner leaf pulp is used to make gel for treating burns and wounds, and is also processed for food and beverages.

Cape Aloe requires plenty of sunlight, regular watering—more so in summer, less in winter—a sandy, well-draining soil, replaced every year, and will thrive in a dry, tropical climate. It can withstand temperatures down to -5°C. The plant is propagated by seed or stem cuttings. In household settings, it is best grown as a potted plant, given plenty of summer sunlight and a cool, bright spot (12–15°C) in winter—when it blooms. Plants reach harvestable size in 4–5 years but leaves may be harvested year-round, even from two-year-old plants.

Detailed Description

Cape Aloe is a traditional medicinal plant valued for its support in treating chronic constipation and its use in topical cosmetics for burns and wounds.

Botanical Information

Cape Aloe (Aloe ferox) is a succulent perennial that grows between 1 and 5 meters tall. Mature plants have a simple, unbranched tree- or shrub-like structure with a woody stem topped by a rosette of leaves. The thick, fleshy leaves can reach up to 90 cm, tapering at the ends, with a grey-green to reddish hue and toothed brownish-red margin forming spines; small spines are also present beneath the leaf.

Flower stalks rise about 0.5 to 1 meter above the leaves, forming dense clusters with short pedicels. The flowers are red to orange and arrange into branched inflorescences that may be as long as 1 meter. Cape Aloe blooms from June to September, which is the cold season in its native land.

Origin and Distribution

Cape Aloe is native to multiple regions (Western Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, and Eastern Cape) of South Africa. Its primary range stretches from Southern Cape Province near Cape Town eastwards to KwaZulu-Natal. It thrives in diverse habitats, showing a preference for dry, rocky slopes and grassy fynbos at the Karoo’s edge, but can also be found in more humid locations, typically up to elevations of 700 meters. Originally used for centuries by indigenous Khoisan healers, Cape Aloe was later adopted and spread by European settlers.

Usage / Dosage

Cape Aloe’s primary therapeutic uses include its antioxidant properties and the resulting support for the immune system in combating infections. This plant helps boost the body’s natural defenses. Active compounds in Cape Aloe can neutralize harmful free radicals at the molecular level, support tissue regeneration, alleviate inflammation symptoms, and exhibit mild antiseptic and soothing effects on irritated skin.

With optimal dosing, Cape Aloe’s actives have shown to relieve moderate menstrual symptoms, especially pain, and ease menopausal discomfort. In smaller doses, traditional South African medicine uses the juice of Aloe ferox to harmonize the menstrual cycle.

Cape Aloe leaves are rich in emodin, which has demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida albicans—especially for external yeast infections—alongside mild antiviral and antibacterial effects. Some studies report a possible synergy with antiretroviral therapy in suppressing HIV, and research published in the Japanese Journal of Cancer Research highlights the potential for lectins and emodin from Aloe ferox to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells.

In cosmetics, Cape Aloe extracts are widely used to accelerate tissue repair and collagen production, encouraging hair, nail, and skin growth while slowing the effects of aging and skin atrophy. It is also valued for disinfecting wounds and is applied in pharmaceuticals and skincare to regenerate damaged tissue, promote wound healing, soothe sunburns, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin inflammations.

Cape Aloe is an ingredient in traditional Swedish bitters (Schwedenbitters) and has long been recommended for gastrointestinal support and digestive regulation via cleansing and detoxification. Dried Cape Aloe extract is a potent and reliable laxative due to the active compound aloin, which starts working about 8 hours after ingestion, helping where other remedies for chronic constipation have failed (consultation with a doctor is advised for some individuals). The FDA issued a report in 2002 cautioning against long-term use of Cape Aloe for constipation, as dosage escalation may lead to toxicity.

Traditional medicine recommends Cape Aloe extracts to stabilize blood sugar, support immunity, and reduce fatigue. It also stimulates bile production and is given in small doses for poor appetite, bloating, liver support, or heartburn, either alone or combined with other herbs.

Aloe ferox gel is traditionally consumed for osteoarthritis, intestinal issues (such as ulcerative colitis), fevers, inflammation, ulcers, diabetes, asthma, reducing adverse effects of radiation, and as a general tonic. Despite its numerous internal uses, the gel is most frequently applied externally for burns, frostbite, psoriasis, and sores. Traditional healers also recommend it for post-surgical wound healing. Animal studies confirm moderate anti-inflammatory effects in ulcerative colitis and, after four weeks of optimal dosage, 30% of animals with mild lesions showed full symptom disappearance.

Laboratory studies on tissue cultures confirm Cape Aloe’s ability to accelerate wound healing via dilating capillaries at the injury site to improve blood flow, boosting metabolite exchange and immune transport, as well as partially destroying bacteria.

Dried Cape Aloe latex is traditionally referenced for seizures (epilepsy), asthma, colds, bleeding, missed menstruation, colitis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, osteoarthritis, glaucoma, and vision problems.

For safe use, note that high doses of Aloe ferox can increase pelvic blood flow; individuals with kidney disease, hemorrhoids, duodenal ulcers, gynecological issues, pregnant or breastfeeding women, should consult a healthcare provider before use. The European Medicines Agency deems high-dose long-term internal use of Aloe ferox as risky and unsafe. Those on diuretics, corticosteroids, or licorice along with Aloe ferox should consult with a healthcare provider. Chronic misuse (such as for constipation) may cause liver inflammation and electrolyte imbalance.

Active Compounds

Cape Aloe sap is especially rich in polysaccharides (twice as much as Aloe vera), notably acemannan, which appears to stimulate the immune system. Other constituents include resins, anthraquinones (aloin, emodin), and lectins. Cape Aloe is also high in amino acids (choline), calcium, vitamin A, B vitamins (biotin, folic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, cobalamin), vitamin C, vitamin E, enzymes (amylases, lipases, bradykinase), essential fatty acids, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and iron.

Traditional Dosage

Typical dosing uses 50–200 mg of dried aloe sap, 3 times per day. The resin can also be taken as a “pinch” dissolved in lukewarm water. Extracts can be thickened with hot fluid and boiled as needed. The European Medicines Agency recommends 10–30 mg of Aloe ferox extract once daily for children aged 12 and older (it is contraindicated for younger children).