Many of us are already aware that aloe vera can be extremely soothing for our skin, whether we have a sunburn, a burn from cooking, small cuts, or even a skin issue like psoriasis.
Now, here is where things start getting really interesting with aloe vera, and perhaps not as well known. Aloe vera can also be good for our insides. If you suffer from pretty much any type of digestive issue, like for example ulcers, heartburn, or other types of digestive issues, aloe vera may really be useful for you. The gel of the aloe vera can be processed into a juice, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and can be consumed like regular juice (only in smaller quantities) to try to help with digestive complaints. Researchers believe that when aloe vera juice meets up with food in the stomach, the juice causes pepsin to be released, and thus food to be digested properly. In a study conducted way back in the 1960’s, 17 out of 18 subjects reported experiencing at least some relief from their peptic ulcers. And in 1993, aloe extracts appears to suppress the impact that stress can have on ulcer formation in rats. Finally, certain studies have found that the juice contains several key substances that lessen the amount of stomach acid that is produced.
For people suffering from diarrhea, taking some aloe vera juice has been found to be helpful in some cases. On the flip side, aloe vera may also work as a laxative for people who are dealing with constipation.
With this in mind, one thing to remember if you decide to try aloe vera juice: it is pretty potent stuff that you must get used to gradually over time. This advice comes not from a medical book or website but from my own experience. I decided to give aloe vera juice a try once, just to see what it tasted like. I didn’t have any stomach issues at all, but I was curious to try the juice. I poured myself a small glass and belted it back and it wasn’t bad at all—it tasted sort of like what I would imagine cucumber juice would be like. But it did have a laxative effect that was pretty quick and insistent. So if you want to try aloe vera juice to soothe your insides, I would suggest starting with maybe one or two ounces at a time until your system can tolerate this amount without fears of any repercussions.
Finally, aloe vera has been researched for its possible ability to help people who have diabetes lower their blood sugar levels. In a study of 49 men and 23 women, it was found that aloe vera worked well with the medicine Gluburide. And a review of 58 studies of herbs, vitamins and minerals and their effect on diabetes, aloe was in the group that had good results for improving glucose control.
So what do you think? Have you used aloe vera topically? If so, did it work for you and make your skin feel better? What about on the inside? Have you tried it for any stomach issue or diabetes? Clearly, this seems to be more than just a succulent plant that grows in our kitchens waiting for someone to burn themselves. It seems to have a variety of other healing properties as well.
References:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=17E09E7CFFF640448FFB0B4FC1B7FEF0&nm=Reference+Library&type=AWHN_Supplements&mod=Supplements&mid=&id=AFC99D0422814472885DA74E64F4B610&tier=2
www.mayoclinic.com/health/aloe-vera/NS_patient-aloe/