Proven Aloe Vera benefits
As for the benefits of Aloe Vera that’s been verified with scientific and medical studies, conditions where Aloe is helpful are constipation, genital herpes, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
For constipation, the Aloe latex or the green part of the aloe leaf has been confirmed to have laxative compounds such as aloe-emodin and barbaloin. This is why Aloe is considered as a laxative treatment when taken orally.
There are also studies that established that Aloe Vera extracts on a hydrophilic cream can effectively treat cases of genital herpes. The studies reported better results when compared to Aloe Vera gel and placebo during the trials.
As Aloe Vera creme are usually moisturizers, these can help conditions of psoriasis vulgaris and seborrheic dermatitis cases (like dandruff) when applied on the skin.
Claims with moderate support
There are other Aloe Vera benefits that are supported by some studies on humans and animals. You have to remember that these benefits still need additional studies and confirmation before you can take them at face value.
Niccolo Salamantra has been writing about the benefits of using Aloe Vera in many different forms, such as Aloe Vera juice and Aloe Vera gel. He has also served as resource speaker for many seminars about the many advantages of taking Aloe products.
There are studies that show that Aloe Vera can stop lung cancer from developing. For skin dryness, Aloe is considered a good moisturizer. And for the same reasons, Aloe is also good for different skin conditions like skin ulcers, skin burns, and canker sores. There have also been reports that Aloe Vera juice can reduce blood sugar levels, so it can be considered as an alternative diabetes treatment. Another benefit is that Aloe is helpful for healing wounds. There is evidence regarding the treatment of light wounds with Aloe, but there are also cases where it does not help for deep surgical wounds. Another thing to note is that there are claims about Aloe’s effectiveness against HIV, though the case still needs further study.
Possible side effects
Side effects of Aloe and its products, such as Aloe Vera juice and Aloe Vera drink, are rarely dangerous. One of these side effects is diarrhea due to the laxative properties of Aloe. And with the blood sugar lowering capacities of Aloe, you should also be careful when taking Aloe along with other blood sugar lowering medication. Taking Aloe can also make certain medication ineffective, as the medicine might be excreted before the body would be able to absorb it.
Always consult your doctor
As most Aloe products have different claims for health benefits, you should always ask your doctor whether it’s perfectly fine to use Aloe products. This is true especially for cases where the claim still needs more evidence and verification.
