According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, aloe vera, or aloe, continues to be one of the most commonly used herbs in the United States. Aloe juice, the substance found just beneath the skin of the aloe leaf, is a potent laxative, but its use is no longer advised because it can cause serious side effects, including possible effects on the liver. Consult your physician before using aloe juice medicinally.
How It Works
Aloe juice is characterized as a yellow and bitter liquid. It contains active chemicals called anthraquinone glycosides. Your large intestines contain normal bacteria that break down the anthraquinone glycosides into other chemicals called aglycones. These aglycones are responsible for causing the potent laxative effect of aloe juice, says the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Liver Effects
Several cases of liver injury requiring hospitalization have been reported in people who ingested aloe. One case was published in the “Annals of Pharmacotherapy” in 2007, which described a person admitted to the hospital with inflammation of the liver after taking aloe capsules for constipation. Several additional cases of liver injury that required hospitalization after taking aloe by mouth were reported in the “Journal of Korean Medical Science” in 2010. Liver function became normal in all cases after stopping the aloe.
Other Considerations
According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, aloe juice can cause side effects, such as stomach pain and cramps. Taking large doses of aloe juice for an extended period of time can cause more severe side effects, including heart ailments, weak muscles and kidney injury. Aloe juice in doses of one or more grams daily for several days can be lethal, warns the NIH. Avoid aloe juice during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Preparations and Dosing
Aloe juice supplements are available in capsule, tablet and liquid forms. The NIH states that aloe juice is usually taken in the evening as a 50-mg single dose for treating constipation; however, taking aloe juice for constipation may not be safe. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, other herbal laxatives from the same plant group as aloe, including cascara and senna, have more gentle effects and are usually recommended first.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Aloe
- National Institutes of Health: Aloe
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Aloe
- “Annals of Pharmacotherapy”; Oral Aloe Vera-Induced Hepatitis; MM Bottenberg, et al.; Aug 2007
- “Journal of Korean Medical Science”; Aloe-Induced Toxic Hepatitis; HN Yang, et al.; Feb 2010
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