Aloe Vera (Ingestible)

What is it?

Aloe vera is a succulent plant known for its medicinal properties. The gel from its leaves is commonly used topically for skin conditions, but the inner leaf juice or gel can also be consumed. Ingestible aloe vera is used to support digestive health, enhance hydration, and provide various other health benefits.

How does it work for medicinal purposes?

Ingestible aloe vera works through its bioactive compounds, which include vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and polysaccharides. These compounds help soothe the digestive tract, reduce inflammation, and support overall health. Aloe vera has laxative properties that can help with constipation, and its anti-inflammatory effects can aid in managing gastrointestinal issues.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

The primary active ingredients in ingestible aloe vera include:

• Polysaccharides (e.g., Acemannan): Provide anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
• Aloe Emodin: Acts as a natural laxative.
• Vitamins (A, C, E, B12): Support overall health and well-being.
• Minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc): Essential for various bodily functions.
• Amino Acids: Support tissue repair and overall health.

What forms does it come in?

• Juice
• Gel
• Capsules
• Tablets
• Powder

What if I have an imbalance or deficiency?

Aloe vera is not typically associated with a specific deficiency, but it can help address imbalances related to digestive health and hydration. Supplementing with aloe vera can help soothe the digestive tract, improve bowel regularity, and enhance nutrient absorption.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Aloe vera has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman times. It was traditionally used to treat various ailments, including digestive issues and skin conditions.

What does Aloe Vera (Ingestible) help with?

Aloe vera is a thick, fleshy desert plant. Healers have used it for over 4,000 years, in Ancient Egypt, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and around the Mediterranean. This page covers aloe you swallow or rinse with, not skin creams.

The overall grade on file is B. That means at least one good human trial stands behind some of its uses. Other uses rest on small or early studies, so the grade changes from use to use.

• High blood sugar and prediabetes
  Good evidence — several human trials in type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Trials in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes found lower fasting blood sugar and lower HbA1c. People took aloe gel daily for four to eight weeks. Lab work suggests aloe's plant sterols and gel sugars slow how fast sugar is taken up, and may improve how the body answers insulin.
  Evidence grade B
• IBS, cramping and loose stools
  Good evidence — several placebo-controlled human trials. Several trials compared aloe vera gel with a dummy pill. People reported less belly pain and firmer, steadier stools. Lab work links this to less swelling along the gut lining.
  Evidence grade B
• Constipation (aloe latex, not gel)
  Good evidence — well-established laxative action in people; long-term use not shown safe. Aloe latex holds anthraquinones, which act as stimulant laxatives. Their effect on bowel movements in people is well established. The evidence covers short-term use only, since longer use can throw off body salts.
  Evidence grade B
• Heartburn and acid reflux (GERD)
  Good evidence — one well-designed four-week human trial. One well-designed trial tested aloe vera syrup over four weeks. It worked about as well as common antacid drugs for reflux symptoms. Both the burning feeling and the number of reflux episodes went down.
  Evidence grade B
• High cholesterol
  Good evidence — several human trials of daily aloe gel. Several trials found small drops in total cholesterol and LDL ('bad') cholesterol with regular aloe gel. HDL ('good') cholesterol held steady or rose. The shift was mild next to what cholesterol drugs do.
  Evidence grade B
• Mouth ulcers (canker sores)
  Early evidence — clinical studies of aloe gel applied in the mouth or used as a rinse. In clinical studies, aloe gel used in the mouth sped up healing of repeat canker sores. Pain scores also dropped. Lab work ties this to less swelling and action against germs.
  Evidence grade C
• Dry mouth with Sjögren's syndrome
  Early evidence — clinical trials of aloe rinses in people with Sjögren's. Trials in people with Sjögren's syndrome tested aloe vera gel as a mouth rinse. Dryness and mouth discomfort went down. The thick gel appears to coat dry tissue and hold moisture for a short while.
  Evidence grade C
• Gut inflammation (ulcerative colitis)
  Early evidence — small placebo-controlled trials in mild-to-moderate disease. Small trials gave oral aloe vera gel to people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Markers of inflammation fell, and more people reached remission than on placebo. Aloe was studied as an add-on to usual care.
  Evidence grade C
• Fatty liver and raised liver enzymes
  Early evidence — early human trials in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Early trials looked at people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The liver enzymes ALT and AST went down. This is an early field, and aloe was not tested on its own.
  Evidence grade C

What Aloe Vera (Ingestible) has not been shown to do

• Aloe has not been shown to replace diabetes medicine; the trials tested it alongside usual care.
• It has not been shown to work on its own for ulcerative colitis, only as an add-on to standard treatment.
• It has not been shown to be a standalone treatment for fatty liver disease.
• Aloe latex has not been shown to be safe as a daily, long-term laxative, because of concern about body salts.
• The reflux trial ran four weeks, so aloe has not been shown to control reflux over longer periods.
• The library holds no human trial of ingested aloe for weight loss or for 'detox'.

How to read this:

Each grade rates the human evidence for that one use. A means many matching trials. B means at least one good trial. C means small or early studies. D means weak or clashing results, and 'insufficient' means no human study at all. This page reports what studies found. It is not medical advice and not a claim that aloe treats anything. Ask your doctor what fits you, and who should avoid it.

Which conditions and symptoms does it help prevent?

Ingestible aloe vera can help prevent:

1. Constipation: Promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation.
2. Gastric Ulcers: Protects and heals the stomach lining, reducing the risk of ulcers.
3. Dehydration: Maintains hydration and fluid balance.
4. Inflammatory Gastrointestinal Conditions: Reduces inflammation, preventing conditions like IBS and IBD.
5. Acid Reflux: Protects the esophagus, preventing irritation and reflux symptoms.
6. Immune Decline: Supports immune function, preventing infections and diseases.
7. Liver Damage: Supports liver health and detoxification, preventing liver damage.
8. High Blood Sugar: Helps regulate blood sugar levels, preventing spikes.
9. Chronic Inflammation: Reduces chronic inflammation, preventing related diseases.
10. Nutrient Deficiencies: Enhances nutrient absorption, preventing deficiencies.

Which foods are rich in it?

Aloe vera itself is not found in typical foods but is consumed as a juice, gel, or supplement.

What are possible side effects?

Aloe vera is generally safe for most people, but possible side effects include:

• Common (10-30%): Mild gastrointestinal issues (e.g., cramping, diarrhea)
• Less Common (1-10%): Electrolyte imbalances (with excessive use)
• Rare (<1%): Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching)
• Potential liver toxicity with long-term use of high doses

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of ingestible aloe vera for adults typically ranges from 50 to 200 ml of juice or 500 to 1000 mg of gel extract, divided into one or two doses. It is important to follow the dosage instructions provided on the product label or by a healthcare provider.

How many days does it take to work?

Some benefits of aloe vera, such as relief from constipation, may be noticeable within a day or two. Long-term benefits, such as improved digestive health and reduced inflammation, may take several weeks of regular use to become apparent.

What time of day is best to take it?

Aloe vera can be taken at any time of day. For digestive benefits, it may be helpful to take it before meals. For hydration and general health benefits, it can be taken throughout the day.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Aloe vera can be taken with or without food. Taking it with meals may help enhance its soothing effects on the digestive tract. For optimal absorption and efficacy, follow the instructions provided on the product label.