A bitter yellow compound found in the latex of aloe plants, formerly used as a strong laxative medicine.
From 'barbal' (relating to barbs or beards, from the aloe plant's appearance) combined with the chemical suffix '-oin.' The term emerged in 19th-century chemistry when this compound was isolated and named from aloe plants.
Barbaloin is so powerful as a laxative that it was actually banned in many over-the-counter medicines because people were using it too much—it's a reminder that 'natural' doesn't always mean 'safe'!
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