ALOE'S SURPRISING BENEFITS
& SIDE EFFECTS
Wounds
- Aloe Vera is a time-honored treatment.
- Alexander the Great used the clear gel-like sap in the middle of its leaves to heal his
wounded soldiers’ wounds. - And while there’s some evidence it can help some types of wounds, it may delay healing in others.
- Talk to your doctor about whether Aloe products are right for your injury
Burns
- Here’s an area where aloe really seems to shine.
- A number of studies show that aloe ointments & creams can help burns, including
sunburns, heal more quickly. - Some substances in the aloe ease swelling & speed up healing & others help your body
repair the skin. - But you need to see a doctor for: A serious burn - A widespread burn - Any burn that
looks infected - A burn that takes a long time to heal.
Psoriasis
- Aloe extract cream seems to help some people with the dry, scaly, itchy, or painful skin
it that comes with psoriasis. - But Aloe Vera gel doesn’t seem to have the same effect, so ask your doctor if Aloe Cream
could help you manage your psoriasis.
Cold Sores
- The research is still early on this, but some of it shows aloe might help slow the growth
of the virus that cause cold sores. - Aloe Extract Cream may also help cold sores heal faster.
Genital Herpes
- The same family of viruses (herpes simplex) that causes cold sores around your mouth
can cause blistering sores on your private parts. - In two research studies, men who used Aloe Cream on these sores healed faster than
those who used Aloe Gel or a placebo cream. - Part of the reason for this may be that Aloe appears to slow the reproduction of the virus.
Acne
- Research suggests that Aloe Gel may help clear up acne if you use it twice daily along
with the prescription acne cream tretinoin (sold as Atralin, Retin-A & others). - In a separate study, doctors applied a standard 2-day wound-healing cream to a group
of people after full-face dermabrasion, an acne treatment that sands the skin. - When they added Aloe to the cream on one side of the face, it healed much more quickly.
Dermatitis
- This reaction causes swollen, red, itchy skin when you come in contact with something
like detergents, soaps, poison oak, poison ivy, copper, grass or nickel (in some jewelry). - Aloe may help ease these symptoms long with those of seborrheic dermatitis, which
often affects oily areas like your face, back & chest.
Constipation
- Aloe works as a laxative if you swallow it.
- That is, it may make you poop if you haven’t been able to go.
- But it can cause serious stomach cramps, diarrhea & other unpleasant symptoms & the
FDA says there isn’t enough research to be sure it’s safe. - So it’s best to stick with more tried & true options at your drugstore.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you aren’t sure which laxative is right for you.
Oral Lichen Planus
- Aloe Gel seems to safely help get rid of these white, spidery, patches on the tongue or
inside of your mouth that may become blistered or painful. - Studies suggest it works as well as standard treatments like topical steroids.
Diabetes
-
There’s evidence that aloe taken by mouth might help lower both blood sugar &
cholesterol in some people with the condition - But it might interfere with medications like insulin & it could make your blood sugar
too low. - Other studies, using different forms & doses of Aloe, had different results.
- The bottom line: It isn’t clear if oral Aloe is safe to use for diabetes.
- Scientists need more studies to sort these things out.
Aloe Effects to Avoid
- Taken orally, just a gram a day could shut down your kidneys.
- You might have a bad reaction to aloe if you’re allergic to garlic,onions, tulips or other
members of the Liliaceae family. - As a laxative, Aloe could cause you to lose electrolyte minerals like potassium, which
is a problem if you have kidney or heart disease. - It may also harm your unborn baby if you’re pregnant.
Drug Interactions
-
The creams & gels are mostly OK but the oral form can change how some of your
medication works,especially diuretics, digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart issues, blood
thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) & diabetes meds. - Please remember that Aloe Vera is a dietary supplement, not a regulated drug.
- That means it’s hard to know exactly what’s in any aloe product.
- Tell your doctor about all supplements & medications you take, including aloe.
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