Whether the use of Aloes be profitable to preserve health?
Gallen doth much commend Aloes, and also Hiera pigra, and saith it is a very profitable Medicament, and gratefull to the sto∣mach; and many praise it, for that it takes away viscuous and corrupt humours that are contained in the Tunicles of the Sto∣mach. Mesue counts it one of the best and wholesomest Medica∣ments, which hath a prerogative above all Medicines. For when other purging Medicines doe weaken the stomach, and hurt the members or parts, the taking of Aloes doth not only not hurt, but doth much comfort the stomack; yea, he thinks if it be often taken, it makes all the parts and members sound. But Cardanus and others are of a contrary minde, and condemne Gallen for that (De tuend. san. lib. 1. c. 45.) he saith, Aloes is a friend to the Sto∣mach: Further, they say, being bitter and loathsome, it is offen∣sive to the Stomach, because the Stomach is much delighted with sweet things: Moreover they say, Hierapigra, although it be cor∣rected and sometimes not unprofitable to take it, yet it is hurtfull to the Stomach, and prejudiciall to the life. But I conceive that the use of Aloes doth much prevaile to preserve health, seing it doth not only purge away the excrements in the bowels, but also it purgeth crude humours, as also Flegmatick and Chollerick hu∣mours from the Stomach, and doth resist putrifaction, being also somewhat astringent: Only note, That it must be given but in a small quantity, and not too often; for if it be given often, and in a great quantity, so that it come to the Liver, it doth much hurt, especially to those that have dry bodies and hot Livers.