Aloe: Is It Really all They Say It Is?

Over the years I have heard that Aloe is good for just about everything that ails ya. It supposedly is a cure for all things from sunburn to dandruff, but is it all it’s cracked up to be?

First of all, there are more than 300 aloe plant species, but Aloe Barbadensis or known to us all as Aloe Vera is what the health and beauty worlds use for its healing properties. For centuries, the gel and juice found inside aloe vera became a popular herbal remedy used to help treat everything from skin issues to digestive problems.

Let’s be honest, we have all heard that Aloe is good for us, but most of us don’t know why. How many times have you selected a product just because it said “contains Aloe” across the package? I know I have, and I’m sure most of you have as well. Aloe has an entire industry behind it, its juices are used in cosmetics and personal-care products such as moisturizers, soap, shaving cream, and suntan lotions just to name a few.

Like so many other things today, there is the truth and there is bull. Aloe is great for many things, but it can also harm you.

Do not take Aloe Vera internally if you have the following conditions:

• hemorrhoids
• kidney conditions
• renal disorder
• cardiac condition
• Crohn’s disease
• ulcerative colitis
• intestinal obstruction
• diabetes

Possible side effects of Aloe Vera include:

• kidney issues
• blood in the urine
• low potassium
• muscle weakness
• diarrhea
• nausea or stomach pain
• electrolyte imbalances

There’s not enough evidence to prove that Aloe Vera can treat all the health issues it’s said to help with, but the plant has been linked to many potential benefits, including:

• Digestive help – Aloe latex contains aloin, which is an anthraquinone that gives aloe vera its laxative properties and may help treat constipation.
• Treating skin conditions, such as psoriasis and acne – Aloe creams have a calming effect on the skin and have been shown to help reduce itchiness and inflammation.
• Sunburn relief –Some people swear by Aloe to calm sunburn. You might have experienced the gel’s cooling effect yourself, but the research backing up the claim that it can speed skin recovery is lacking. One small study, for instance, found Aloe Vera didn’t have any effect on treating sunburn when compared with a placebo.
• Wound healing – Aloe gel may help expedite the healing process of burns or cuts on the skin.
• Heartburn relief – Researchers found Aloe Vera helped lessen several symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including heartburn, belching, and vomiting.
• Lower blood sugar – A study found drinking two tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice every day for two weeks helped lower the blood sugar levels among people with type 2 diabetes. Triglyceride levels of the study participants also improved — a big deal for those with diabetes, because they’re at an increased risk of developing heart disease.

So, will I still use a product after all this because it says “contains Aloe” across the package? Yes, I probably will, because in reality, it does more good than harm. But remember you should always check with your doctor if you plan on using Aloe if you are taking any kind of prescription medication, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.