Aloe Vera Could Help Treat Digestive Problems

Aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller) is a widely cultivated cactus-like plant that is a member of the lily family. Aloe vera is known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract and help develop digestion.

Aloe Vera Digestive Benefits

Aloe vera is known worldwide for its digestive effects. Specific components in aloe vera have a anti inflammatory activity on the enzymes responsible for damaging the intestinal wall. Mucopolysaccharides found in the aloe vera role in the body by lining the colon to keep out toxins. Mucopolysaccharides expedite the absorption of water, electrolytes and nutrition in the gastrointestinal tract, and help to maintain fluid movement thus the digestive system can work healthy and alleviate indigestion. Aloe latex and aloe leaves include chemicals with laxative effects. German Commission E (an official government agency similar to the FDA) has approved aloe for treating constipation. A typical dose is 50 to 200 mg of aloe latex, taken in liquid or capsule form once a day for up to 10 days.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the membrane of the colon and rectum. Some researches shows that aloe vera can help relieve ulcerative colitis which is a painful inflammation of the colon. Patients with ulcerative colitis responded well to aloe vera in a study reported in the Apr 2004 edition of the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Patients took 100 mL of aloe vera gel twice per day for 4 weeks. As many as 47% demonstrated healing of ulcerative colitis symptoms. A 2004 article reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that administration of oral aloe appeared to have a protecting property on the lining of the stomachs of rats. Another study reported  the World Journal of Gastroenterology (2006) found that aloe could promote the healing of gastric ulcers. Aloe may preserve against stomach ulcers, according to a study reported in the Apr 2011 edition of the International Journal of Molecular Medicine. A study performed in Japan demonstrated that the compounds in aloe juice decreased the formation of lesions and secretion of gastric juices that can cause the pain associated with ulcers. A team from the Barts and London, “Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry” have carried out experiments which show that the herb has a useful efficacy on the production of substances which help boost the healing process in cases of ulceration in the gut. The scientists believe aloe vera could be especially beneficial in treating ulcers caused as a adverse effect of taking anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

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