Topical aloe gel helps heal burns and wounds.

  Products containing aloe are commonly used and recommended to speed healing of burns and wounds. Aloe might have anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. And it also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

  But there's not much scientific evidence that aloe gel speeds healing. In fact, several studies show that aloe gel is not effective for treating sunburns or skin damage caused by radiation therapy. And that it may actually impair the healing of second-degree burns and severe wounds.

  Some proponents say that it's the aloe plant itself that is beneficial. The activity of fresh aloe gel is thought to be lost under conditions of storage.