Aloe vera: Uses, dosages, side effects

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For thousands of years, people have used the gel from the aloe vera leaf to heal and soften the skin. In fact, aloe vera has long been a folk remedy for many ailments like constipation and skin disorders.

1. What diseases does the aloe plant cure?

Research shows that aloe vera can be used as a skin treatment, at least for specific conditions. Studies have shown that aloe vera gel can be effective in treating psoriasis, seborrhea, dandruff, minor burns and skin abrasions, as well as radiation damage to the skin. Aloe vera gel also has a positive effect in the treatment of genital sores in men.

There is also evidence that aloe vera juice contains latex which, if taken directly, is a potent laxative. In fact, aloe vera juice was once sold in over-the-counter constipation medications. However, because the safety of aloe vera has not been comprehensively studied, the FDA requested in 2002 that over-the-counter laxatives containing aloe be regulated or removed from the diet. drugstores.
Aloe vera gel taken orally directly helps to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. It can also help lower cholesterol.
Research shows that using aloe vera helps treat some of the following injuries:
Burns and wounds: Using aloe vera gel seems to shorten the healing time for first-degree burns and degree two. Aloe vera gel can also promote wound healing.
Acne: Research shows that aloe vera gel used morning and night, in addition to the topical prescription acne medication tretinoin (Retin-A, Atralin, others), can be effective. more effective in reducing acne than prescription drugs alone.

Psoriasis: Aloe vera extract cream can reduce redness, scaling, itching, and inflammation caused by mild to moderate psoriasis. You may need to use the cream several times a day for a month (or more) to see an improvement in your skin.
Simple Herpes Virus Infection: Using a cream containing aloe extract can help the lesions heal faster.
Skin or mouth rashes: Research shows that using aloe vera gel twice daily for 8 weeks can help reduce symptoms of a skin or mouth rash.
Constipation : Whether oral aloe vera is effective in treating constipation is unclear. Besides acting as a laxative, aloe vera sap can also cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Genital herpes: There is evidence that applying 0.5% aloe vera cream three times daily increases healing rates in men with genital herpes.
Oral mucosal fibrosis: Early research shows that applying aloe vera gel to each inner side of the cheek three times daily for 3 months improves burning, mouth opening, and cheek flexibility. in patients with sclerosing mouth disease.
Another study shows that applying aloe vera gel 2 times daily for up to 6 months along with other treatments can reduce burning and improve mouth movement. Additional research shows that applying aloe vera gel 3 times daily and drinking aloe vera juice twice daily for 3 months improves burning, mouth opening, cheek flexibility, and tongue movement.
Weight loss: Research shows that taking a specific aloe vera product (Aloe QDM complex, Univera Inc., Seoul, Korea) containing 147 mg of aloe vera gel 2 times daily for 8 weeks reduces muscle weight body weight and fat mass in overweight or obese individuals with diabetes or prediabetes.

2. Aloe Vera Dosage

For adults, supplementing with aloe vera should note the following points:
For subjects with constipation: Use 100-200 mg of aloe or 50 mg of aloe vera extract orally in the evening. Alternatively, one 500 mg capsule containing aloe may be used, starting with one capsule per day and increasing to three per day as required. For patients with diabetes: The most effective dose of aloe vera for diabetes has not been clearly studied. Various dosages and forms of aloe have been used for 4 to 14 weeks, including powders, extracts, and juices. Powder dosage from 100-1000 mg per day; juice dosage from 15-150 mL per day. In case of scleroderma of the oral mucosa: Apply 30ml of pure aloe vera juice twice daily along with applying pure aloe vera gel to the lesions three times daily for 3 months. For weight loss: Use gel containing 147mg of aloe vera twice a day for 8 weeks. For acne: Apply 50% aloe vera gel in the morning and evening after cleansing, along with a prescription called tretinoin gel in the evening. For burns: Apply aloe vera cream and olive oil twice daily for 6 weeks. Also, apply aloe vera gel or cream twice or thrice daily after changing the wound dressing, or every three days until the burn heals. For herpes: Use a cream containing 0.5% aloe vera extract three times daily for 5 consecutive days for a period of 2 weeks. For an itchy rash on the skin or mouth (Lichen planus): Apply aloe vera gel two to three times daily for 8 weeks. Two tablespoons of aloe vera mouthwash, swish for 2 minutes and then spit, four times daily for a month. For sclerosing of the oral mucosa : Apply 5mg of aloe vera gel on each cheek three times daily for 3 months. Apply pure aloe vera gel to the lesions three times daily for 3 months, along with drinking 30ml pure aloe vera juice twice daily. For psoriasis: Use a 0.5% aloe extract cream applied three times daily for 4 weeks.

3. Side effects when using aloe vera

Aloe vera gel is generally considered safe when applied appropriately to the skin. It is probably safe if the right dose is taken for a short time.
Aloe latex or leaf extract may not be safe when used in high doses. Taking 1 gram of aloe latex for several days can cause acute kidney failure and possibly death. Aloe latex also has the potential to cause cancer. Other side effects include abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Oral use of aloe latex and whole leaf extract is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

Some side effects may occur when using aloe vera such as:
Side effects: Using aloe vera topically can cause skin irritation. Aloe vera taken orally can cause cramps and diarrhea. This can cause an electrolyte imbalance in the blood of people who eat aloe vera for more than a few days. It can also stain the colon, making it difficult to visualize the colon during colonoscopy, so aloe should be avoided for a month before colonoscopy. Aloe vera gel, used topically or orally, does not contain aloin, which may cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Risks: Do not apply topical aloe to deep cuts or severe burns. People who are allergic to garlic, onions, and tulips are more likely to be allergic to aloe. Do not take aloe vera if you have intestinal problems, heart disease, hemorrhoids, kidney problems, diabetes or an electrolyte imbalance.
Drug Interactions: If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using an aloe supplement. It may interact with medications and supplements such as diabetes medications, heart medications, laxatives, steroids, and licorice root. Oral use of aloe vera gel may also block the absorption of medications taken at the same time.
Do not use aloe vera for children, pregnant and lactating women.

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Reference source: mayoclinic.org; webmd.com