Most people know of aloe as a soothing agent for burned or irritated skin, but you can also use the plant internally. The leaf of the plant -- the part the surrounds the soothing gel -- can be made into juice or dried. People take these products -- called aloe latex -- orally, most commonly as a laxative. However, aloe vera juice has very potent effects. Do not use it as a laxative or for any other purpose unless you first speak with a knowledgeable doctor.
The Science Behind It
Some of the chemical compounds in aloe vera juice work as strong laxatives in the body, causing intestinal contractions that will alleviate constipation and may cause diarrhea. Until 2002, many over-the-counter laxatives included aloe juice or latex among their active ingredients. However, the Food and Drug Administration ordered the products removed from the market because the manufacturers did not produce the required safety data. One such concern with using aloe juice as a laxative is that your body can adjust to it, meaning people must take more and more to get the desired laxative effect, MedlinePlus reports. Because of potential safety problems, do not take aloe juice as a laxative unless you have consulted with a doctor.
Dosage
When taken orally as a laxative, the recommended safe dose for treating constipation is 50 mg of the plant's latex, MedlinePlus reports. You should take it at night, before going to bed, because it typically takes about 10 hours to experience the effects of the juice.
Side Effects
Internal use of products containing aloe latex -- including aloe juice -- can cause severe diarrhea and intestinal cramps, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports. Although in many cases loosening the bowels is the desired effect, the result may be more powerful than anticipated. In addition, the strong laxative effect means medications you take may not be absorbed properly in the intestinal tract.
Safety Warnings
Because of its strong effects, aloe vera juice is not safe for some people. Pregnant women should never consume products containing aloe latex because it can cause strong uterine contractions and also may cause miscarriage or birth defects. Oral use of aloe products also may lower blood sugar levels, so it's not safe for use by people with diabetes who use drugs to lower their glucose levels, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports. Because of its effects on blood sugar levels, you should not take aloe juice within two weeks of undergoing surgery. And because aloe juice can cause bowel contractions and irritate the intestines, people with digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease should never take aloe juice. High doses of aloe latex may cause kidney damage or kidney failure.
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