Syed et al16,17 conducted two trials on the efficacy of aloe vera
for first episodes of genital herpes in men. In the first study16
they randomized 120 men into three parallel groups. Each patient
applied either aloe vera cream (aloe vera extract 0.5% in
hydrophilic cream), aloe vera gel, or placebo three times daily
for two weeks. Aloe vera cream showed shorter mean duration of
healing than aloe vera gel and placebo (4.8 days versus 7.0 and
14.0 days, respectively). The numbers of cured patients were
70%, 45%, and 7.5%, respectively (P