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PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

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BRIEF: Is Aloe Vera toxic to rabbits?


QUESTION:
I am reading on a mailinglist that Aloe Vera would be toxic (to rabbits) as it would contain saponis. I checked on your pages, but cannot find evidence. Can you enlighten me here?

ANSWER:
Aloe is soothing to place on an external sore, but despite its use in old time human medicine as a carthartic and abortifacient, there is no reason to take it internally and it can cause a lot of damage. It has saponin-like glycosides that break down to anthraquinones (Fuller and McClintock 1986 p280) .