The Aloe vera plant has been used for millennia for the treatment of numerous conditions. Ancient use of the Aloe focused on two actions: Its laxative cathartic action and its wound healing properties.
Modern science has established the laxative action of the aloe resides in a family of compounds with anthraquinone structures, mainly Aloins A and B. These are found in the exudates coming from the green rind of the Aloe vera plant.
Modern Science has also found that the wound healing properties of the Aloe plant are related to modulation of our Immune System.
The main immune modulator found in Aloe consists of a family of compounds that are complex carbohydrates based on the sugar mannose. The most important component from this family has been named Acemannan due to its Acetylated Mannose backbone.
This site provides information about Acemannan including links to the latest peer-reviewed research about it.