Aloe Vera, 8 health benefits and risks that you need to know

Aloe vera is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe. It is a thick and short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. This is a year round plant, native to North Africa, Southern Europe and the Canary Islands. Today, aloe vera is grown in tropical, semi-tropical and arid climates worldwide.

Aloe vera is a popular herb used for medicinal purposes, dating back to ancient Egypt. For thousands of years, it has been used in many products including beverages, cosmetics, ointments or in gel form to treat minor burns and sunburns. Many studies have proven the use of aloe vera in health care and protection. Not only used for skin care, aloe vera also has the ability to cure diseases very effectively.

Aloe vera leaves are very thick, about 30-50 cm long. Each leaf contains a slimy tissue that stores water, called a "gel". The gel contains most of the beneficial bioactive compounds in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.

Antioxidants are important for health. Fortunately, Aloe Vera Gel contains powerful antioxidants that belong to a large family of substances known as polyphenols. These polyphenols along with a several other compounds in Aloe vera help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans.
The ability to improve skin and prevent wrinkles
There is some preliminary evidence to suggest that aloe vera gel can slow down the aging process of the skin. This is because aloe vera gel helps the skin to clear and retain moisture, improving the integrity of the skin, which is very beneficial for dry skin conditions. These gel-coated leaves contain special plant compounds called complex carbohydrates, making it an effective facial moisturizer and pain reliever.

In a 2009 studyTrusted Source of 30 females over the age of 45, taking oral aloe vera gel increased collagen production and improved skin elasticity over a 90-day period.

The ability to heal wounds
Aloe vera has a long history of being used in the treatment of sores, and especially burns, including sunburn. The United States Pharmacopoeia describes preparations from Aloe Vera as a skin protectant as early as 1810–1820. Many studies suggest that it is an effective topical treatment for the first and the second degree burns. For example, a review of experimental studies found that aloe vera could reduce the healing time of burns by around 9 days compared with conventional medication. It also helped prevent redness, itching, and infections.

The ability to treat canker sores
Many people experience mouth ulcers, or canker sores, at some point in their lives. These usually form underneath the lip, inside the mouth, and last for about a week.

Studies have shown that aloe vera treatment can accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers. For example, in a 7-day study of 180 people with recurrent mouth ulcers, applying an aloe vera patch to the area was effective in reducing the size of the ulcers. However, it did not outperform the conventional ulcer treatment: corticosteroids. In another study, aloe vera gel not only accelerated the healing of mouth ulcers, it also reduced the pain associated with them.

The ability heartburn relief
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that often results in heartburn. A 2010 review suggested that consuming 1 to 3 ounces of aloe gel at mealtime could reduce the severity of GERD. It may also ease other digestion-related problems. The plant’s low toxicity makes it a safe and gentle remedy for heartburn.

The ability to reduce dental plaque
Tooth decay and gum diseases are very common oral health problems. One of the best ways to prevent these conditions is to reduce the buildup of plaque, or bacterial biofilm on teeth. Researchers have found aloe vera extract to be a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based mouthwashes. Due to the natural ingredients of plants, including a healthy amount of vitamin C, Aloe Vera can prevent plaque, and it can also relief the pain if you have bleeding or swollen gums.

In a mouth rinse study of 300 healthy people, researchers compared 100% pure aloe vera juice with the standard mouthwash ingredient chlorhexidine. After 4 days of use, the aloe vera mouth rinse appeared to be just as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque.

Another study found similar benefits of aloe vera mouth rinse over a 15- to 30-day period. Aloe vera is effective in killing the plaque-producing bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the mouth, as well as the yeast Candida albicans.

The ability to lowering blood sugar
Sometimes, people use aloe vera as a remedy for diabetes. This is because it can enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management.

One study determined that people who with type 2 diabetes drank two tablespoons of aloe vera juice per day were able to lowering their blood sugar levels. This means that aloe vera may have a future in the treatment of diabetes.

A review of eight studies also found that aloe vera may be beneficial for people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes due to its effects on blood sugar control. However, the quality of the available studies is not ideal, so scientists currently discourage using aloe vera for this purpose.

However, people with diabetes must keep in mind, who are taking blood sugar-lowering medications, should be cautious when consuming aloe vera. Because, consuming juice along with diabetes medication may decrease the effect of the medication.

The ability to relieve constipation
Aloe vera is considered a natural laxative. However, there are many studies with seemingly mixed results.

Aloe vera can help to relieve constipation, this is thank to the latex provides the benefits, not the gel. Aloin, also call as barbaloin in aloe vera latex, is a yellow brown residue, with a bitter taste sticky just under the skin of the leaf. Aloin of Anthraquinone compound is the key active ingredient of aloe vera has a very good laxative effect. Aloin contains barbaloin, aloe-emodin anthranol, isobarbaloin, alomycin, aloin A, aloesin, etc. Aloin can be hydrolyzed into aloe-emodin under the action of bacterial parasites in the human body. It can promote tissue regeneration and stimulate intestinal wall movement, so Aloin has good effect for regulate bowel and stomach activity.

However, Reseachers have been concerned about the safety for regular use. A study by The National Institutes of Health looked at the consumption of aloe vera leaf extract. These findings showed tumor growth in the large intestine of laboratory rats. For this reason, in 2002 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration required all over-the-counter aloe vera laxatives products. The application must be removed from the US market or reformulated. While, The Mayo Clinic recommends that aloe vera can be used to relieve constipation, but in a limited way, they recommend the dosage should be from 0.04 to 0.17 grams of dry juice.

Keep in mind, If you have Crohn’s disease, colitis, or hemorrhoids you shouldn’t consume aloe vera. It can cause severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea. You should stop taking aloe vera if you’re taking other medications. It may decrease your body’s ability to absorb the medication.

Potential to fight breast cancer
A new study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at the therapeutic properties of aloe emodin, a compound in the plant’s leaves. The authors suggest that the succulent shows potential in slowing the growth of breast cancer. However, more studies are needed to further advance this theory.

Risks of Aloe Vera Juice
If you are a fan of aloe vera juice, keep in minde about some important things which takenoted below.

Aloe vera has many great health benefits. However, we must know how to use it properly to avoid causing unwanted effects on health.

√ For those who are using medications to treat certain diseases as prescribed, they should ask their doctor. Because aloe vera juice in particular and fruit juice in general, can cause side effects with medications which they are taking or reduce their body's ability to absorb medication.

√ Aloe vera juice can cause allergic reactions with some manifestations such as rash, difficulty breathing, itching, sore throat, chest pain ...

√ Aloe vera juice contains a lot of anthraquinone, which is a laxative, so when we consume a lot of aloe vera juice, it can cause diarrhea. If diarrhea is severe, it can cause dehydration, cramps and abdominal cramps.

√ For women who are pregnant and are in their period, they should absolutely not drink aloe vera juice because the substances contained in aloe vera juice will stimulate the uterus to contract, leading to miscarriage or birth defects for the unborn baby. Anthraquinones also can cause diarrhea in children through breast milk, so women who are breastfeeding should not drink aloe vera juice.

√ People with digestive problems or irritable bowel syndrome should not drink aloe vera juice. If drink unprocessed aloe vera juice, the body may experience an electrolyte imbalance or dehydration.

√ For people with heart disease, if drink aloe vera juice can cause the body to produce too much adrenaline leading to many adverse conditions.

√ Aloe vera juice can also reduce potassium levels in the body causing muscle weakness and heart rhythm disturbances, so it is absolutely not recommended aloe vera juice for children and the elderly.

√ Some herbs react with aloe vera juice to cause diarrhea and dehydration such as rhubarb root, castor oil, bark root, etc. If using aloe vera juice and garlic together, that mixed will affect on digestive system, reducing blood sugar and potassium levels in the body.

Compiled and penned by Crocus Media