Aloe Vera Juice & Ulcers

Peptic ulcers commonly affect the stomach and the duodenum, or the upper part of the small intestine. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 10 percent of Americans will suffer from ulcers at some point. Dr. James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Natural Cures," adds that 70 percent of those cases result from a bacterial infection caused by Helicobacter pylori. While antibiotic therapy is the first line of defense for treating ulcers, you can use aloe juice following your course of antibiotics to help heal the stomach and duodenum, keep ulcers from returning, and minimize side effects from drug treatment. Please note that you should consult your physician before attempting herbal remedies at home.

Description

Native to the southern region of Africa, aloe reaches heights of two feet. It grows rosettes of prickly, thick, fleshy leaves and bears clusters of red, pink or yellow flowers. Aloe leaves exude a bitter liquid or gel from which aloe juice is extracted. The plant's gel is valuable as a topical healer of wounds and skin conditions, and it has a long history as a treatment for digestive disorders.

Key Constituents

Containing key constituents such as aloin, aloin-emodin, resins, tannins and polysaccharides, aloe also boasts 19 amino acids, 20 minerals and 12 vitamins essential for good health. American Chronicle adds, "Aloe vera juice contains amino acids, methionine, serine threonine and molybdenum, which work together to detoxify heavy metals and additionally aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein. This action prevents a build up of fat in the liver and the arteries."

Benefits

Aloe juice has antimicrobial effects and heals the lining of the intestinal tract. It relieves peptic ulcer inflammation caused by acid, alcohol, aspirin and other drugs. The book "Prescription for Herbal Healing" states, "Studies show that aloe vera juice heals ulcers so completely that researchers recommend it over the anti-ulcer drug cimetidine." Moreover, according to the website Herb Wisdom, a 1963 issue of the "Journal of the American Osteopathic Society" reported that aloe's effectiveness as an ulcer-healer may be attributed to its ability to stimulate the release of pepsin, a gastric juice enzyme that supports the digestive system.

Use

Aloe juice is produced commercially from the herb's gel. Dr. Balch suggests drinking 1/4 cup of aloe juice three times daily to relieve ulcers.

Side Effects

Pregnant, menstruating and lactating women should avoid taking aloe juice internally, as should children and people with kidney or heart disease. Women who take birth control pills should also avoid aloe juice. According to American Chronicle, aloe juice can occasionally cause liver dysfunction, nausea, skin rash and discolored urine.

Refrain from using aloe juice for more than two consecutive weeks as it can result in a depletion of electrolytes. Additionally, people who consistently use aloe juice internally in excess of one year have greater risk of colorectal cancer.