By Hana Manai, founder of VĀHANA

In short: vahona is the Malagasy name for Aloe macroclada, an aloe that grows only in Madagascar. In 2015, a small pilot study led by researcher Christian Drapeau observed that it temporarily increased the number of stem cells in the blood. It's a promising result, still preliminary. Here's what the research shows, and what it doesn't show yet.

What is Aloe macroclada (vahona)?

Madagascar is home to several aloe species found nowhere else. Aloe macroclada is one of them. The Malagasy people call it vahona and have used it for generations; local tradition regards it as a plant of rejuvenation and longevity.

The traditional preparation is unusual: the plant's juice and gel are collected, the plant is charred, and the ashes are mixed with the juice to form small pellets dried in the sun. They can still be found in Malagasy markets today.

Christian Drapeau's study (2015)

In 2015, Christian Drapeau and his team published the first human study on Aloe macroclada, in the Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy. Their question: does the plant work by mobilizing stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood?

How the study was run. Four healthy volunteers took part in two sessions, at least one week apart. At one, they took the traditional vahona preparation (about 335 mg of pellets, encapsulated); at the other, an identical placebo. Neither they nor the researchers knew which was which. Their blood was analyzed before intake, then one, two and three hours after.

What was observed. After vahona, the number of circulating stem cells rose, while it stayed stable after the placebo:

• CD34+ CD133+ stem cells: +23% after one hour, +27% after two hours and +41% after three hours on average, with a maximum increase of 53%;
• CD45dim CD34+ stem cells: up to +32% after two hours;
• the increases were statistically significant at two and three hours, and were still present when measurements ended;
• no adverse effects were reported by participants.

What are CD34+ cells?

They are mainly bone marrow stem cells, which give rise to red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Some also help maintain blood vessels. Their release into the blood is a natural mechanism the body uses, among other things, to repair its tissues.

How to read this result

These data are valuable: they are the only published human observations on vahona. To interpret them fairly, four points matter:

• It's a pilot study of four people. Larger trials are needed to confirm the effect.
• The measured effect is rapid and temporary. The study doesn't yet tell us whether this mobilization translates into concrete long-term health benefits; the authors state that they did not study the long-term effect.
• The product tested was the traditional preparation, in pellets, not commercial capsules.
• The study was funded by a company in which Christian Drapeau was co-owner and chief science officer; a co-author co-owned the company that harvests the plant. These ties are declared in the publication, which is good practice, but they make independent studies all the more necessary.

More recent laboratory analyses, commissioned by the producer (NIS Labs, 2025), also explore the plant's effect on immune and inflammatory markers. These are in vitro data, meaning on cells in a test tube: they guide research but don't allow conclusions about effects in humans.

Aloe macroclada or aloe vera?

They are two different species. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is grown all over the world and well studied, notably for the skin. Aloe macroclada grows in Madagascar and has been studied far less. Results from one cannot be applied to the other. Read our comparison of the two plants.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aloe macroclada scientifically validated?

Not yet. A human pilot study and laboratory data show interesting effects, but no large independent clinical trial has been published.

How quickly was an effect observed?

In the 2015 study, the rise in circulating stem cells was significant two and three hours after intake.

Can it be taken every day?

The study only looked at a single dose. For a supplement, follow the directions on the label and consult a healthcare professional, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication.

Discover vahona capsules

Our capsules contain 300 mg of Alomac® Aloe macroclada powder per capsule, grown in Madagascar without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. See Vahona capsules →

About the author

Hana Manai is a science communicator, certified in Ayurveda and founder of VĀHANA. She makes the biological mechanisms of longevity accessible, distinguishing what is established from what remains to be confirmed.

Sources

• Drapeau C., Benson K.F., James J., Jensen G.S. Aloe macroclada from Madagascar Triggers Transient Bone Marrow Stem Cell Mobilization. Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2015, 5:287. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 4 participants; funded by Stemtech International. Read the study
• NIS Labs. Immune Activation and Modulation of Inflammation In Vitro. In vitro study commissioned by the producer, 2025.

Educational content. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. Vahona is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.