The anthraquinones contained in aloe have a purging and laxative action on the digestive system. It is used internally to combat digestive problems ranging from: constipation, poor appetite, colitis, asthma to peptic ulcers.
The juice of the inner leaf can be used for the anti-inflammatory effect it has on Crohn's disease but the laxative and bitter principle of aloe must NOT be used by people suffering from Crohn's disease as it causes griping and cramping. The lasative and bitter principle are derived from the whole leaf.