Aloe Vera Juice & GERD

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In this chronic digestive disease stomach acid or bile flows back into your esophagus. This irritates your esophagus lining, leading to symptoms such as heartburn or a sore throat. Aloe is one folk remedy used to alleviate GERD symptoms. Always consult a health care provider before trying an alternative therapy for a health condition, especially if you have additional health conditions or take medication.

Symptoms

The irritation to your esophagus caused by GERD can manifest in numerous ways. You may suffer hoarseness or a dry throat, have difficulty swallowing, feel like you have a lump in your throat or simply have a sore throat. Other, general symptoms of GERD include heartburn, a sour taste in your mouth, regurgitation of food or acid reflux, which is a regurgitation of sour liquid.

Potential

Aloe vera gel may help soothe your esophagus when it gets irritated, says Jill Sklar, lead author of the book, "Eating for Acid Reflux." Aloe gel is commonly used for external skin irritation. The gel contains substances called polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Glycoproteins help diminish inflammation and pain. Polysaccharides stimulate skin repair and growth. Polysaccharides and glycoproteins also may stimulate your immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Use

The suggested dose of aloe gel for GERD symptoms is 2 oz. of gel taken 20 minutes prior to meals, according to "The Family Guide to Vitamins, Herbs and Supplements," by Deborah Mitchell. You may want to mix gel concentrate with tea or juice to help disguise the taste, Sklar notes. Aloe gel is commonly available in the natural foods section of grocery stores and in health food stores.

Considerations

Use aloe for GERD with caution, and discuss using it with a health care provider before you do so. Do not use it if you are pregnant, and do not give it to children, Mitchell advises. Aloe can have a laxative effect and can cause lowered potassium levels. Taking aloe with diabetes medications can increase your risk for hypoglycemia, or blood-sugar levels that fall too low. You raise your risk for hypokalemia, or blood levels of potassium that are too low, when you take aloe along with diuretic medicines or digoxin. Taking aloe with other herbs and medicines that cause a laxative effect increases your risk of losing electrolytes and fluids. If you have an intestinal disease such as ulcerative colitis, aloe may worsen your condition. Large amounts of aloe may lead to kidney inflammation.