Aloe vera has been used in natural medicine for centuries, but studies on the plant have only started in the past few decades. Results are contradictory and so far it is difficult to say how many of aloe vera's healing properties are real and how many are just a myth. If you plan on taking aloe vera internally, talk to a health care practitioner to discuss the pros and cons of it.
Improved Digestion
Aloe vera can be used to treat heartburn, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive issues, according to a 2007 report published in the "International Journal of Toxicology." Aloe vera is also a laxative and can help with chronic constipation or to simply soften stools. In Germany, aloe vera is an approved treatment for constipation.
Diabetes
Aloe vera lowers blood sugar and might help people with type 2 diabetes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Studies are still in the preliminary stages, however, so no conclusive results are available. Diabetics who take medication should not take aloe vera internally without their doctor's approval to avoid drug interaction.
Other Uses
Traditionally, aloe vera has been used to treat a number of conditions. According to MedLine Plus, these include natural treatment of epilepsy, depression, asthma, vision problems and colds. These are anecdotal uses, since no studies exist to prove aloe vera's effectiveness. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and people sometime used it to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Dangers
Aloe vera can be toxic when ingested. For example, tests have shown that internal inflammation, excessive accumulation of chemical compounds in the kidneys and liver and even death can happen when taking aloe vera in large quantities or for long periods of time, according to the 2007 report. Because there isn't an established safe dose available, it's impossible to say how much aloe vera you can take without side effects. Taking too much aloe can also cause diarrhea and cramps.
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