Aloe vera is a popular ingredient in detoxification formulations, thanks to its laxative action as well as its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, despite its reputation as a soother, aloe can cause serious side effects when taken internally, especially if you have a medical condition, warn the experts at the Mayo Clinic. Always consult a health care provider before trying a new supplement like aloe.
Time Frame
If you are using aloe as part of a daily detox, Dr. Ray Sahelian of Los Angeles says you should use it internally for a maximum of four days a week. Sahelian also recommends taking one week off entirely each month. That's because little research on aloe's long-term use in humans is available, making caution prudent. Using aloe for a week straight can cause a dependency on aloe, worsening issues with constipation once aloe consumption is halted, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes, Sahelian says, a plant like aloe can provide health benefits when it is consumed occasionally but proves toxic when overused. The substances in aloe that is responsible for aloe-induced toxicity are called anthraquinones.
Features
Aloe comprises many compounds. The aloe leaf is used to produce either a dried substance or juice called latex, which has strong laxative action. Aloe's strong laxative compounds such as aloe-emodin, aloin and barbaloin, which are anthraquinones, used to be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in over-the-counter laxative products but were pulled from the market due to lacking safety data, according to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. Aloe also has glucans that have anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe leaf gel has various polyphenols, phytosterols, alkaloids, organic acids, dicarboxylic acid, fatty acids, ketones and alcohols. Thanks to antioxidant polyphenols, alkaloids and indoles aloe leaf gel has good antioxidant capacity.
Warning
Using aloe internally for detox can cause several side effects in addition to the obvious diarrhea or cramping issues, according to the Mayo Clinic. Taking aloe may lead to low potassium levels. Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness or abnormal heart rhythms. Aloe also may lower your blood sugar levels, so you need to be especially careful if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia or if you are taking drugs or other supplements that affect your blood sugar. If you have kidney disease, a thyroid disorder, heart disease or any electrolyte abnormalities, it's especially important to gain medical supervision while using aloe, the experts at the Mayo Clinic advise. One report of hepatitis, meaning liver inflammation, is linked to taking oral aloe, according to the clinic.
Considerations
Aloe is often combined with other substances in detox formulations, all of which can have drug interactions and side effects. For example, the cat's claw used in some formulations can cause nausea and dizziness and worsen diarrhea, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Cat's claw also has possible effects on your immune system, making it inadvisable to use if you have an autoimmune disease, tuberculosis, a skin graft or are receiving an organ transplant. Cat's claw interacts unfavorably with many medications, including diuretics, birth control pills, blood pressure medications and blood-thinning medications.
Expert Insight
It might be hard to determine just what type of aloe is in your detox formulation, Sahelian says. The terms "gel" and "juice" are often not clearly defined by aloe manufacturers and also are frequently confused by consumers. To complicate the matter, aloe vera "drink" can mix aloe gel and juice. It's also hard to tell whether your aloe product contains physically irritating substances like aloin and emodin or whether these laxatives are removed during the production process. You need to contact the manufacturer of the product you are using to find out about the exact content of aloin and emodin and whether the aloe latex or aloe gel makes up the majority of your aloe product, Sahelian advises.
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