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Aloe Vera - Health Benefits of Aloe Gel and Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe gel is a clear, thin, viscous material obtained by crushing the mucilaginous cells found in the aloe vera leaf. The gel contains a polysaccharide similar to guar gum. Aloe gel’s wound healing ability comes from its moisturizing effect, which prevents air from drying the wound. Mucopolysaccharides and sulfur and nitrogen compounds also stimulate healing. Aloe gel may work as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but information is conflicting.

A solid residue is obtained by evaporating aloe latex. It contains aloinosides, which irritate thelarge intestine, increasing peristalsis, thereby producing a laxative effect. Water and electrolyte reabsorption is inhibited. Aloe can cause potassium loss. Aloe also contains bradykinase, which is a protease inhibitor that relieves pain and decreases swelling and redness. The antipruritic effect of aloe may be related to the antihistamine properties of magnesium lactate.

Aloe is available as dried latex for internal use, extract capsules, juice (99.7% of whole leaf aloe vera juice), tincture (1:10,50% alcohol), and topical gel.

Benefits And Uses of Aloe

Used orally, aloe latex is a potent cathartic. It’s used to treat constipation; to provide evacuation relief for patients with anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or recent anorectal surgery; and to prepare a patient for diagnostic testing of the GI tract.

Aloe gel is used to treat minor burns and skin irritation and to aid in wound healing. It may also be effective as an antibacterial.

Administration

• As a laxative: 100 to 200 mg of aloe capsules, 50 mg of aloe extract, or 1 to 8 oz of juice taken by mouth at bedtime; or, 30 ml of aloe gel or 15 to 60 gtt of aloe tincture (1:10,50% alcohol), taken by mouth as needed
• Topical use: Apply liberally to the affected area, three to five times daily as needed.

Side Effects of Aloe

Adverse effects associated with aloe may include: arrhythmias, edema, cramps, diarrhea, albuminuria, hematuria, nephropathy, electrolyte abnormalities, weight loss, muscle weakness, accelerated bone deterioration, and nummular eczematous or papular dermatitis.

Oral administration of aloe to patients taking antiarrhythmic or cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, may lead to toxic reaction. Concomitant use of aloe and corticosteroids or diuretics can enhance potassium loss. Any herbal preparation that contains alcohol can precipitate a disulfiram-like reaction. Risk of potassium deficiency increases when a patient is taking both aloe and licorice.

Persons with intestinal obstruction, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, or abdominal pain of unknown origin; those who are pregnant; and children younger than age 12 should avoid taking aloe orally.

Products derived from the latex of aloe’s outer skin should be used with caution.

Clinical considerations

• Monitor patient for signs of dehydration Geriatric patients are particularly at risk.
• Monitor electrolyte levels ,especially potassium, after long-term use.
• if patient is using aloe topically, monitor wound for healing.
• Laxative effects are apparent wlthm 10 hours of taking aloe.
• Caution patient that if he delays seeking medical diagnosis and treatment, his condition could worsen.
• If patient is taking digoxin or another drug to control his heart rate, a diuretic, or a corticosteroid, warn him not to take aloe without consulting his health care provider.
• Advise patient to reduce dose if cramping occurs after a single dose and not to take aloe for longer than one to two weeks at a time without consulting his health care provider.
• Advise patient to notify his health care provider immediately if he experiences feelings of dehydration, weakness, or confusion, especially if he has been using aloe for a prolonged period.
• Be aware that patients taking insulin or oral antidiabetic agents concomitantly with aloe may have improved blood sugar control, requiring a reduction of antidiabetic drugs.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Evidence from some studies suggests that aloe gel can improve blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

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