Aloe Juice Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses
Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis, Aloe vulgaris
Common Names: Aloe indica Royle Juice, Barbados Aloe Juice, Burn Aloe Juice, First Aid Plant Juice
Properties: Anti-fungal, Antioxidant, Immune system booster, Anti-viral, Anti-inflammatory
What is Aloe Juice?
Aloe is a plant genus, though when discussing herbs, the term is often used interchangeably with the species aloe vera. The aloe plant is native to Africa and features long, green leaves with spikes along the edges.1 The leaves contain a gel that is commonly used topically for medicinal purposes.1 When aloe leaves are cut and the liquid evaporates, it leaves a sticky residue known as latex, which is also contains healing properties.1 Aloe juice is juice derived from the plant that you can drink for its medicinal benefits.
Aloe Juice Uses and Health Benefits
The aloe plant can be used topically or taken orally. Among aloe juice benefits, it contains substances called glycoproteins, which help reduce pain and inflammation to speed the healing process.2 It also has a positive reputation for helping support the digestive system and treat a range of digestive problems, including constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers.3 It’s also believed to help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, and the gel is said to inhibit bacteria that leads to dental cavities.2
When taken in its juice form, it can help with a variety of ailments, including the following conditions:
- Dry Mouth - Among aloe juice uses, you can drink it to coat the mouth and prevent dryness.
- Acid Reflux - Aloe juice benefits people experiencing acid reflux by having a soothing effect on the digestive system.
- Ulcers - Aloe has long been used to treat skin ulcers.1 It has the same effect on internal ulcers when taken orally.
- Ulcerative Colitis - Ulcerative colitis causes ulcers within the digestive tract, including in the large intestine and rectum. Aloe has been shown to improve the chances of remission in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.1
- Allergy (Allergies) - The glycoproteins in aloe are believed to help stimulate the immune system,2 which can help control allergies.
Aloe Juice Side Effects and Precautions
Aloe juice is safe to drink in recommended doses. However, taking aloe orally can result in rare side effects. Among aloe juice side effects, it can cause severe intestinal cramps or diarrhea,2 so if using aloe juice for constipation, avoid taking too much at once. Do not use aloe juice for more than ten days straight.4 In rare cases, aloe juice side effects can include allergic reaction.4 Do not drink aloe juice if you are pregnant. It may stimulate uterine contractions and cause a miscarriage.2 Breast feeding mothers should also avoid aloe juice as there is not enough research on its safety for infants.2 Kidney damage can occur when taking aloe juice in high doses.2 Aloe may interact with other medications, so talk to your doctor before taking aloe juice if you’re already using other medications for diabetes or taking diuretics.2 Various aloe juice products can have different concentrations of the plant present in the juice, so check the product labeling or talk to your doctor to learn more about proper dosage suggestions.