Xref: utzoo sci.bio:3970 sci.chem:2589 misc.consumers:24709
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From: turpin@cs.utexas.edu (Russell Turpin)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.chem,misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Aloe, Aloe...
Summary: When I said aloe, I did not mean cream.
Message-ID: <15103@cs.utexas.edu>
Date: 26 Nov 90 21:38:45 GMT
References: <2144@ac.dal.ca> <4188@kitty.UUCP> <15037@cs.utexas.edu> <4198@kitty.UUCP>
Followup-To: sci.bio
Organization: U. Texas CS Dept., Austin, Texas
Lines: 25

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I wrote, of aloe sap:
>> ... It quickly soaks into the damaged flesh, cools, and relieves
>> the pain.  (From a subjective viewpoint, it works great!)  Whether
>> it is just because it is an aqueous solution of the right
>> consistency, or because of other active ingredients, I know not. 

In article <4198@kitty.UUCP> larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) writes:
> I am aware of one product on the market containing aloe and
> intended as a minor burn ointment. ... All of the "minor burn
> ointment" effects can be explained *solely* by the "inactive"
> ingredients! ...

Perhaps I misled Mr Lippman by talking about active ingredients
in aloe sap.  In retrospect, "active factor" would have been a
more precise phrase.  In any case, it was fresh sap about which I
wrote, straight from the cut leaves, not a commercially prepared
ointment. 

I do not mean to draw any great conclusions from personal and
anecdotal experience, but if it is to be dismissed, let it be for
the subjectivity of evaluation, lack of any controls, etc; but
not because it is confused with an entirely different kind of
experience. 

Russell