Aloe has been used medicinally for thousands of years and it continues to be used today for similar conditions, including skin irritation and lesions. Today, aloe is being studied for potential benefits in treating various types of ulcers including skin ulcers, cancer sores, or ulcers in the mouth, and ulcerative colitis. As with any herb, consult with your doctor before using aloe for medicinal reasons.
Skin Ulcers
Skin ulcers result from various causes, including exposure to heat or cold, decreased blood circulation, or contact with corrosive chemicals. Preliminary research sugests that aloe can facilitate healing of skin ulcers. A study published in the journal "Advances in Wound Care" in 1998, demonstrated that most people treated with an aloe dressing had complete healing after ten weeks of daily treatment.
Mouth Ulcers
Canker sores are small ulcerations inside the mouth produced by minor trauma, such as rough tooth fillings or braces, and in severe cases, causing symptoms such as fatigue, fever and swollen lymph nodes. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, aloe gel may produce faster healing of canker sores for some people as compared to treatment with the over-the-counter brand name product called Orabase Plain.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a disease which causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the rectum and colon, with characteristic symptoms of abdominal pain and bloody stools. A trial published in the journal "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics" in 2004, demonstrated the beneficial effects of aloe for people with active ulcerative colitis. Those who took aloe by mouth showed less disease activity and fewer symptoms after four weeks of treatment as compared to those taking placebo, or inactive medicine.
Considerations
Aloe gel is generally safe when used on the skin but may cause occasional burning and itching, according to the National Institutes of Health. Aloe juice taken orally may cause stomach pain and cramps. If taken in high does or for prolonged periods of time, aloe juice can cause muscle weakness, heart problems, bloody urine, kidney failure, and possibly death. Some chemicals in aloe juice may possibly cause cancer, according to the NIH.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Aloe
- PaloAltoMedicalFoundation.org: Aloe
- "Advances in Wound Care"; Acemannan hydrogel dressing versus saline dressing for pressure ulcers. A randomized, controlled trial; DR Thomas, et al.; Oct 1998
- "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis; L Langmead, et al.; Apr 2004
- National Institutes of Health: Aloe
Member Comments