Aloe vera has long been valued as a healing plant. The leaves are full of a gel that has been shown to help heal wounds and soothe burns. But have you thought about drinking aloe juice?
On the one hand, it seems like something that can be so beneficial for your outsides might not be bad for your insides, too. Studies have shown that aloe latex — taken from the lining of the aloe leaves — works reasonably well as a laxative. But right now there isn’t much evidence to guide dosages or compare aloe latex with other available laxatives.
Research is going on to investigate the benefits of aloe taken orally to treat ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other digestive issues. The Mayo Clinic website also mentioned that there is “early evidence” that aloe taken orally may help reduce the risk of lung cancer — but researchers aren’t sure yet if it is the aloe itself or other factors at work.
Makers and marketers of aloe vera juice will tell you that aloe juice is a miracle cure-all. One site I visited (that promotes a variety of aloe-based products) claims drinking aloe vera juice will make you lose weight, keep your digestive system healthy, boost your immune system, fix your skin, and provide a host of essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Whole Foods claims that their aloe juice provides digestive and immune system support and helps increase nutrient absorption in the body.
So please take all that with a grain of salt!
Then again, I’ve seen anecdotal evidence that drinking aloe juice can be beneficial for the digestive system. I have a friend with celiac disease. When he accidentally eats something with wheat gluten, he gets very sick. If he drinks aloe juice, his reaction to wheat gluten is less severe.
I’m really not sure yet where I stand on drinking aloe. It seems safe enough, I’m just not sure it’s worth all the hoopla. I’ve both eaten aloe and sampled aloe juice products, and the taste doesn’t thrill me, that’s for sure!