Aloe Vera For Indigestion Problems

Aloe vera, a succulent plant native to tropical and subtropical regions, has been used for its purported medicinal effects as a treatment for burns, wounds and other skin irritations for thousands of years. Aloe can be consumed orally or applied externally. Its soothing qualities may offer benefits for some forms of indigestion. Consult a doctor for more information.

Clinical Evidence

A clinical trial of aloe vera juice for irritable bowel syndrome found no evidence of benefits, though a trend toward improvement in patients whose irritable bowel syndrome included diarrhea as a predominant symptom. The randomized study of 49 irritable bowel syndrome participants reported a 35 percent response rate within one month in the group that received aloe vera juice compared to a 22 percent response rate in the group that received a placebo. Researchers concluded that further studies are warranted to confirm their results for the potential use of aloe vera in irritable bowel syndrome patients prone to diarrhea. The study was published in the September 2006 issue of the "International Journal of Clinical Practice."

Digestive Aid

Aloe vera may improve digestion when you take it before or after a meal, according to Alasdair Barcroft and Dr. Audun Muskja, co-authors of the book "Aloe Vera: Nature's Silent Healer." Start with a small dose of as little as 1 tsp. and work up to 1/2 C over a period of a few weeks. You can also take aloe vera as a tonic first thing in the morning and again in the evening right before bed. Avoid food and hot drinks for an hour after taking aloe.

Combination Therapy

A recipe for healing stomach ailments comes from Steve Meyerowitz, the Juiceman, in his book "Food Combining and Digestion." The juice combines celery, cabbage, garlic, parsley, aloe vera, fennel and ginger root. Meyerowitz recommends it for calming an irritable stomach; the cabbage and aloe vera are particularly soothing for inflamed or ulcerated tissues.

Dosage

Aloe vera can be taken as a juice or as a gel to help ward off indigestion and improve general digestive health. Kate Gilbert Udall, author of the book "Managing Acid Reflux: Complementary Treatments for Indigestion and Other Digestive Disorders," recommends taking 1 or 2 oz. of juice or 1 or 2 tbsp. of gel three or four times per day.

Candida

Intestinal pathogens such as Candida and several types of bacteria respond to supplementation with aloe vera juice, says Gillian McKeith, author of the book "Dr. Gillian McKeith's Living Food for Health: 12 Natural Superfoods to Transform Your Health." Aloe, which contains caprylic acid, a natural antifungal agent, restores balance and relieves digestive disturbances that can result when Candida or other intestinal pathogens take hold.