Aloe vera, a plant, provides two substances used in health care commodities, a clear gel, and yellow latex. People essentially use aloe's clear gel topically in creams and ointments to heal burns, the skin conditions like psoriasis and even acne. Some also take the gel orally for certain conditions. Aloe vera latex, a laxative, has been administered orally for constipation. While aloe gel is usually safe when used as suggested, oral use of aloe latex poses some safety concerns. Taking a gram a day of aloe latex for several days can result in kidney damage, and this might be fatal.
What is Aloe Vera?
Can this plant be ingested safely?
Aloe Vera is a part of the succulent plant family. It's a stemless plant with fleshy serrated leaves and, when it blooms, it produces yellow flowers. However, it’s the substance in the leaves of the plant that makes Aloe Vera precious. The gel in each leaf contains many vitamins and minerals, and antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties with a wide range of therapeutic applications.
Can you ingest Aloe vera?
Aloe Vera gel is completely safe to eat so long as it is prepared properly to remove any aloin. The inner gel of the leaf contains many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote overall health:
- 20 amino acids that help in building muscle tissue
- 7 key enzymes that aid in breaking down food and improve nutrient absorption
- Minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, chromium, potassium, sodium, manganese and zinc
- Vitamins A, C, E, D, B, B-1, B-2, B12, and folic acid
There are a couple of Aloe Vera health benefits; however, you’ll want to bypass eating raw whole aloe leaf. The inner rind has a latex coating with aloin which is a natural laxative. For obvious reasons, you will want to be sure the aloe you’re consuming is properly processed and free of it; ingesting too much, even if used for its laxative effect of relieving constipation, it can cause cramping, diarrhea, low potassium, and muscular weakness.
What is Aloin?
Aloin is a kind of natural chemical, which has powerful laxative attributes. It is found in the yellowish latex sap in the inner rind, of the plant’s leaves. Though some have ingested the juice to ease constipation, health professionals do not consider it safe for use as an effective laxative. Concentrations of aloin change throughout the plant and results may be unpredictable when using it like this. The gel, however, contains little or no aloin. Like many fruits and vegetables, the protective covering must be peeled off before reaching the nutritional substance found on the inside.
Are all species of aloe vera edible?
There are many species of the plant, but only a few have medicinal purposes. Only a few are considered edible. The main one is var. Chinensis.
How much Aloe Vera is safe to consume every day?
Any amount ingested is safe as long as it is in plant form if you prepare it properly and you are not allergic to it. If you have any side effects, see your doctor and do not eat anymore. For general well being, you can have about 30-60 ml a day. For specific illnesses, 120 ml is usually advised, but you should ask your doctor. You should not eat your Aloe unless you are sure it is a safe variety to ingest. If you are doubtful, do not eat it. Better to be safe than sorry.
What are the benefits of ingesting Aloe Vera?
Consuming the gel from the leaf has been associated with potential health benefits. Potential benefits of eating aloe vera include:
- It can reduce blood sugar levels: In studies done, aloe vera gel helped reduce blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity.
- It can suppress inflammatory signs: Aloe vera extract suppresses inflammatory reactions
- It can reduce dental plaque: If used as a mouthwash, juice from the aloe vera plant may be as effective as a regular mouthwash in reducing the build-up of dental plaque.
- It can boost memory: In a study done, consuming aloe vera gel helped improve learning and memory while also diminishing the symptoms of depression.
- It is rich in antioxidants: Eating aloe vera gel often may raise blood antioxidant levels. Antioxidants help fight the damage caused by free radicals, which are the compounds linked to many chronic diseases.
Aloe vera ingestion Interactions
Possible ingestion interactions might include:
- With anticoagulants and antiplatelet medication, herbs, and other supplements.
- These kinds of drugs, herbs, and supplements decrease blood clotting. Oral use of aloe might also slow down blood clotting. Taking aloe orally with either of this kind of medications may cause increased bleeding.
- With digoxin (Lanoxin). Oral intake of aloe latex can lower potassium levels. Low potassium might raise the side effects of digoxin. Don't take aloe latex and digoxin concurrently
- With diabetes medication. Oral use of aloe gel, together with diabetes drugs, might increase the chances of hypoglycemia.
- With other oral drugs. Aloe latex can reduce your body's absorption of other forms of medication. This may affect their effectiveness.
- With sevoflurane (Ultane). This anesthesia mostly used during surgery might slow down blood clotting. Orally taking aloe might have a similar effect. When used together, excessive bleeding may occur during surgery.
- With other stimulant laxatives. Oral intake of aloe latex with stimulant laxatives might result in the overstimulation of your bowels which can lead to dehydration.
- With warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Aloe latex can cause diarrhea. This can, in turn, increase the effects of warfarin, a blood-thinning drug, and increase the risk of bleeding.
- With water pills (diuretics). The oral use of aloe latex, a laxative, in conjunction with diuretics might lower potassium levels too much, and you may need to take a potassium supplement.
The potential dangers of consuming Aloe Vera
- Eating aloe vera latex in small doses may help treat constipation by promoting bowel contractions. Long-term use of aloe vera latex has been linked to other side effects, like stomach cramps, kidney problems, irregular heartbeat, and muscular weakness.
- High doses above 1 gram per day, may be fatal if used for a long time.
- Pregnant women should keep away as it may stimulate uterine contractions, which could lead to a miscarriage. Also, people with digestive disorders, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or Crohn's disease, should keep away from aloe vera latex as it may worsen their conditions. Aside from the latex, eating aloe vera gel is not recommended for people taking diabetes, heart or kidney medications, as it may worsen the potential side effects from the pills.
- Avoid consuming aloe vera skin care gels, as they do not have the same benefits as the gel found inside the leaf. Skincare gels can also contain other ingredients that are not meant to be ingested.
How to eat Aloe Vera?
Preparing Raw Aloe Vera
While the outer skin of the aloe vera plant can be eaten, it is often tart and tough, so it is removed, and only the gel is consumed. The simplest way of getting at the gel is to peel the skin away with a sharp knife and then crush the gel inside and eat it as it is. However, more elaborate preparations often have large chunks of the stalk cut rectangularly and added to salads or drinks for texture. You can rinse off the natural gel the plant excretes before eating the flesh, but the gel is also safe for consumption, although the sticky texture may be unpalatable for some.
Preparing Aloe Vera Juice
Another easy way of consuming raw aloe is to juice it. Don’t juice whole aloe stems; instead, mix the pieces of aloe flesh and gel with water and drink the fluid. Because aloe vera is naturally a little bitter, you can also soak the cut pieces in water overnight and drink only the water later on. The texture is soft and a bit sticky, which some find unpleasant. You can blend prepared aloe with fresh juices, like orange, lemon or even grape to hide the flavor and texture, as aloe is mild-tasting. Aloe vera gel may help with constipation and may help lowering blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes. Raw aloe vera pulp and gel may also relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers.
Use it in salads. You can use it in salads by adding small pieces as a topping or larger pieces as the base ingredient, often with some herbal garnishes. This second type of salad is common in Indian and Southeast Asian cultures, where eating raw aloe is more popular. You can also combine the gel with salad dressings. Because of its delicate flavor and slippery texture, you can use it in salads much as you would seaweed. The natural coolness of aloe vera pairs well with strong flavors, like sesame seed oil, hot peppers, and garlic.You can try cooking it.
You can cook aloe vera and eat it. In this case, larger pieces of the plant are used, and the mild texture of the plant takes best to gentler cooking methods, like poaching. It releases a lot of water as it is cooked becoming softer as it shrinks down. You can gently steam or poach the aloe before using it in juices, salads or even soups and stir-fry it for a gentler taste. Fully cooked aloe no longer has a slimy texture, which makes it more appealing.Aloe vera can be a fun and wholesome addition to a lot of different dishes. While the plant won't add a lot of taste to any dish it is put in; it can add texture and possibly make dishes healthier. Aloe vera can be safe and healthy to eat if it's cut and prepared right. Simply cut the plant, remove the gel, and add aloe to a variety of dishes. However, ingesting aloe vera is not safe for everyone. If you see any side effects, cease use and talk to your doctor.
