Located in the sap of the leaves you will find twelve anthraquinones, a phenolic compound that has stimulating effects on the bowels and antibiotic properties. In small amounts the anthraquinones do not have a purgative effect. They help with absorption from the gastro intestinal tract and have anti-microbial and pain killing effects. Too many anthraquinones can produce abdominal pain and diarrhea. The most important anthraquinones are aloin and emodin. They are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and analgesic.35 The anthraquinones in Aloe vera breakup residue, pus and lifeless cells, bring blood to the region and flush out material from the wounds and ulcers.36