About Aloe Cleanse

Use of aloe vera as a cleanse is controversial because of conflicting scientific evidence. It is virtually unanimous that aloe vera has a laxative effect, but its safety and efficacy as a cleanse has not yet been determined. Companies that sell cleanses that contain aloe vera advocate it as a colon cleanse, but reputable organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration state that taking aloe orally can cause painful abdominal side effects. The FDA has stopped over-the-counter sales of aloe as a laxative due to lack of safety data. There is no conclusive evidence that shows aloe vera is an effective cleanse.

Description

Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years topically and internally to treat a variety of conditions, from skin burns and rashes to constipation and diabetes. It is native to tropical and semi-tropical regions like South America and the Caribbean, although now it is cultivated all around the world. Aloe vera is a thick succulent plant that stores its water in its leaves. The gel from the leaves of the plant can be applied directly to the skin or latex from the inner linings can be dried out and consumed for internal use.

Cleanse

The gel contains glycoproteins and polysaccharides which may help boost the immune system, aid in skin growth and repair, and stop inflammation, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. ColonTruth.com claims that ingesting aloe vera cleanse products helps relieve constipation and flushes out toxins by breaking down wastes left on the walls of the colon and flushing them out with the stool, but no scientific research supports this claim. Aloe vera contains chlorophyll that ColonTruth.com says soothes the colon and intestinal tract and helps aid in regulation.

Efficacy

MayoClinic.com reports there is strong evidence about the laxative effect of aloe, but notes further studies are needed to compare the safety and efficacy of aloe to other common laxatives. In 2002 over-the-counter laxatives containing primarily aloe vera were removed from the shelf because labels lacked necessary safety data. Many companies who sell cleanses for profit that contain even small amounts of aloe vera write "laxative" on their labels as if it means the same as "cleanse" or "detox," even though there is limited evidence to support that assumption.

Dosage

The main method of taking aloe vera internally is to ingest it. MayoClinic.com reports that advocates recommend doses of between 0.04 and 0.17 g of dried aloe vera for effective treatment of constipation. Research has shown that 150 mg of dried aloe juice, when combined with celandine and psyllium, is effective as a laxative. Aloe has been used in the past as an injection, but MayoClinic.com reports there have been cases of sudden death reported with this technique.

Caution

MayoClinic.com warns that use of amounts of aloe or aloe latex orally can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea and nausea. Using aloe longer than seven consecutive days can cause the body to become dependent on it, resulting in infrequent and unhealthy bowel movements. Using aloe consistently for over a year has been reported to increase risk of colon cancer. Persistent bowel movements will lower potassium levels, which could be very dangerous for people with kidney disorders. Do not use if you have diabetes, as aloe taken orally can lower blood sugar and react with diabetes medication.