5 Healthy Benefits Of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

The oral use of aloe vera gel may also block the absorption of medicines taken at the same time. Oral aloe, which has a laxative effect, can cause cramping and diarrhea. This may cause electrolyte imbalances in the blood of people who ingest aloe for more than a few days. It can also stain the colon, making it hard to get a good look at the colon during a colonoscopy. Aloe gel, for topical or oral use, should be free of aloin, which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Aloe is a cactus-like plant that grows in hot, dry climates. It is cultivated in subtropical regions around the world, including the southern border areas of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Hunter D, Frumkin A. Adverse reactions to Vit E and aloe vera preparations after dermabrasion and chemical peel. Montaner JS, Gill J, Singer J. Double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial of acemannan in advanced human immunodeficiency virus disease.

Two substances from Aloe vera – a clear gel and its yellow latex – are used to manufacture commercial products. Aloe gel typically is used to make topical medications for skin conditions, such as burns, wounds, frostbite, rashes, psoriasis, cold sores, or dry skin. Aloe latex is used individually or manufactured as a product with other ingredients to be ingested for relief of constipation. Aloe latex may be obtained in a dried form called resin or as "aloe dried juice". “Aloe vera is a cactus-like plant known for its healing and medicinal properties,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., Omaha-based board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon. Aside from being a staple in your mother's medicine cabinet for sunburned skin, aloe vera has been used by different civilizations for centuries for a range of skin aloe vera drink recipe care, health, and medicinal purposes.

Aloe vera has plenty of skin-related benefits when used topically, but research suggests it may also have a positive effect on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. In fact, a 2018 review showed that, compared to people with IBS who used placebo, people with IBS who used aloe vera in the short-term had significant improvement in IBS symptoms. Research has also shown that aloe vera may help in improving symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease . One older study showed that, compared to placebo, short-term use of oral aloe vera can benefit those with ulcerative colitis, a form of IBD. Aloe vera has potential toxicity, with side effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested and when applied topically.

Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Aloe vera doesn’t have the potential to help only acne — it can potentially improve other skin conditions, too. However, she does caution that aloe vera shouldn’t be applied directly to open acne blemishes. These results suggest that an aloe vera–based mouthwash could be a suitable alternative to traditional mouthwashes. Whether you’re struggling with digestive problems or glucose control, here’s a look at some of the purported healing benefits of the popular plant.