Aloe Vera is one of those trendy little herbal treatments that is really popular these days. I’ve been using lotions and creams containing aloe vera to treat sun burns and minor scrapes, and also just to moisturize dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used Aloe Vera for the very same purposes; and they knew a thing or too about sunburn. As it has become increasingly popular for use internally, I’ve begun to wonder about the benefits of aloe vera juice as a drink.
So, what are the benefits of Aloe Vera juice inside the body? Doing a quick search through various sites online you’ll discover that the benefits of aloe vera juice range from a boosted immune system, avoiding cancer, longer life span, more youthful complexions, and a host of other rather extreme claims. If you look a little further you may discover some, more reputable, sites with reasonable discussions on the benefits of Aloe Vera juice.
Unfortunately, it appears that there haven’t been a lot of reasonable scientific studies done on the benefits of Aloe Vera juice. The only clear proven beneficial use to date is as a laxative because it is a rather harsh purgative, though it is rarely marketed as such. Some studies have indicated that it can actually increase risk for cancer if used regularly as a laxative. It is unclear what other side effects aloe vera juice may have, and is therefore not a good idea for use in pregnant women.
So even though the benefits of Aloe Vera juice are exalted by hosts of different sites around the Internet, you’ll quickly notice that its always the ones that are trying to sell you something that make these claims. One of my favorite claims that I came across was one that said something like ‘because Aloe Vera juice is 100 percent natural, it is completely safe and you can drink as much as you like’. That may be one of the most absurd things I’ve ever read online to date. The most deadly and toxic substances known today are completely natural. This is especially funny (in a bad way) because one health site I visited suggested that excessive Aloe Vera juice can induce nausea and vomiting, so clearly its probably not safe to drink lots of it.
In my opinion, the benefits of Aloe Vera juice don’t outweigh the possible side effects and potential risks. There are plenty of other safe and milder laxatives out there, and plenty of other ways to take good care of your body without ingesting something that hasn’t been studied very well.
For your own safety, always keep in mind that the herbal supplements and vitamins are not regulated by the Food And Drug Administration (FDA). Manufacturers of herbal medications and supplements often make unproven and untested claims about their products effectiveness.
