Aloe

Name: Aloe
Scientific name: Aloe vera
Other names: aloe vera gel, Aloe barbadensis Mill., A. perfoliate, A. indica Royale
Family:  Xanthorrhoeaceae
Possible uses: soothe dry skin, minor burns, sunburn, frostbite, small scratches, razor nicks, relieve pain, wound and burn healing, astringent, hemorrhoid, bites, stings, chronic constipation, eye problems, fleas, infections, poison oak, tissue repair, colonic treatments, heal gum disease, canker sores, bronchial congestion, antiseptic, cystitis and kidney infection, detox, ulcers, constipation, bowel irregularities, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), hemorrhoids, heartburn, upset stomach,reduces toxic flora in intestines and yeast overruns, liver damage, weight loss, appetite suppression, heals the uterus and brings on menses, douche, join and muscle strains, immune enhancer, tonic, increase energy, reduce triglycerides, reduce total cholesterol, increases good HDL cholesterol
Part of plant used: gel from broken leaf, and latex from inner lining of the leaf.
Description: Succulents with thick fleshy leaves that are sometimes spiny and clusters of brightly colored, long-lasting flowers on tall stalks.  Burn plant.  A tender perennial that forms a rosette of plump dagger-shaped leaves up to 18 in. long, with soft teeth along the edges.  Leaves are usually light to medium green but may be mottled with pale spots or tinged with red.  New plants arise around the base of the parent plant and spread gradually to fill an area.  Rarely blooms in containers, but outdoor plantings in mild climates bear yellow flowers in 3-ft.  racemes in spring.  Sometimes listed as A. barbadensis. Zone 9
How to grow: Full or part sun.  Needs well-drained soil and can tolerate prolonged dry spells or lapses in watering.  Grows very well in a clay pot filled with porous, sandy soil.  Put it outdoors in light shade for the summer, but be sure to bring it indoors before fall frost.  Keep it on a bright windowsill for the winter.
Active constituents: anthraquinones, anthrones
Side effects: cramps, diarrhea, laxative dependence
Contraindications: abdominal pain, pregnancy, breast feeding, patient with latex allergy, menstruating, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, younger than 12 years old
Application methods: creams, salves, ointments, poultice, dietary supplement
Warnings: may delay healing in deep cuts and open wounds, prolong internal use may reduce electrolyte levels, may lead to dependence on aloe for regular bowel movement
Drug Interactions: Glyburide, Topical Corticosteroids

I've personally used this on my acne and it helps the redness goes down.  Anthraquinones and anthrones have laxative properties, so maybe some other laxatives to come to the market soon?  Also, A Woman's Guide also mentioned the doses of the laxative doses and it seemed really potent so it'll be interesting to see where the laxative properties will take us.  It is mentioned that if you are using aloe as a laxative to use it for less than 7 days and to not go over the dose (0.04-0.17 mg of dried latex) due to possibilities of diarrhea.

Herbs A to Z suggests use of 2-4 oz of juice to drink daily (said to be effective if liquid chlorophyll is added).

Scholarly Sources
Major constituents of Aloe (pre-print)
Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hypercholesterolemic effects of Aloe vera leaf gel in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes.


Sources
Refer back to the Sources post to see the exact books that I used!
Taylor's Guide in Herbs
Healing Plants
Healing Herbs A to Z
A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions by Alan Gaby MD

The Practical Herbal Medicine Handbook by Burke Lennihan, RN, CCH