Since prehistoric times, aloe has been a valued topical and oral remedy in medical traditions around the world. Aloe juice, a bitter, yellow liquid extracted from the leaves of the aloe vera plant, has long been used to treat a number of health conditions. Historically, the most common medicinal use for this herbal juice is as a laxative remedy.
History
Jacqueline L. Longe notes in her book "The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine" that the medicinal use of aloe vera dates as far back as 1750 B.C., when it is mentioned in written records. Later, the ancient Greek scholars Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder documented the healing properties of this plant. Longe notes that it has been in use in the United States since the early 19th century, when it was primarily used as a laxative. More recently, citing the findings of his clinical study titled "The Effect of Orally Consumed Aloe Vera Juice," Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., reports that this herbal juice promotes proper gastrointestinal function, and acts as a laxative that helps treat and prevent constipation.
Chemical Components
Longe also writes that aloe vera is rich in a group of biologically active chemical compounds called anthraquinones, which have potent laxative properties. These compounds, which include aloin, aloe-emodin, barbaloin and aloectic acid, are contained in the fleshy latex layer of the aloe leaf.
Constipation Remedy
Aloe is an age-old remedy for constipation, thanks to its potent laxative properties. In the book "Herbs & Natural Supplements," Lesley Braun cites clinical research showing that the anthraquinones in aloe vera alleviate constipation. Animal studies involving laboratory rats found that these compounds increase the water content in the intestinal tract, stimulate mucus secretion and promote intestinal peristalsis (the wave-like contractions that move food along the digestive and intestinal tract).
Dosage
When using aloe as a laxative remedy, the Mayo Clinic recommends taking daily doses of 0.04 to 0.17 g of dried aloe juice by mouth, which is the minimum dosage you need to maintain soft stool. Alternatively, suggests the Mayo Clinic, take 150 mg of dried juice in combination with either 50 mg of psyllium or 300 mg celandine.
Warning
The National Institutes of Health report that drinking aloe juice as a laxative remedy may cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea. In an online monograph, the NIH also cautions against prolonged use of aloe vera juice. It notes that ingesting aloe for more than seven days may result in dependency or a worsening of constipation when the use of aloe is stopped. Furthermore, drinking this herbal juice for more than a year may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
References
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2004
- "Herbs & Natural Supplements"; Lesley Braun; 2007
- Mayo Clinic: Aloe (Aloe Vera)--Dosing
- MedlinePlus: Aloe (Aloe Vera)
- "Preventive Medicine"; Effect of Orally Consumed Aloe Vera Juice; Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D.; March/April 1985
