How aloe vera can benefit irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Aloe vera is full of active ingredients that are great for digestive health.

The aloe vera plant has become quite ubiquitous these days. Along with the humble tulsi plant, almost every household insists on keeping one. After all, it's our go-to quick fix for treating from everyday cuts, scrapes and burns. The clear sap of the aloe plant works better than most over-the-counter creams and lotions for treating skin problems. In naturopathy, the juice is also used for treating not only infectious diseases, diabetes and gastric problems but also metastatic cancers.

The aloe vera gel is one of the most nutritionally-rich foods around. With 75 active constituents, aloe is replete in vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, fatty acids, hormones, saponins and amino acids. Its impressive nutritional profile also makes it a potential, complementary treatment option for IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.

Why aloe vera?

Aloe has been used traditionally for ameliorating a wide variety of stomach ailments such as constipation and diarrhoea. Together, constipation and diarrhoea are also the two commonest problems associated with IBS apart from bloating, gas, cramps and abdominal pain.

The soothing gel inside the aloe leaf is rich in phenolic compounds called anthraquinones, which tend to have a laxative effect in the stomach. In total, aloe has 12 anthraquinones, out of which, alonin and emodin act as painkillers, antibacterials and antivirals.

What do studies say?

Currently, scientific findings are a mixed bag as far as the effects of aloe vera on IBS is concerned. But some studies did show some positive effects on aloe juice on IBS symptoms. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences says that the aloe plant helped in relieving pain and discomfort in patients with IBS. But a 1991 double-blind study published in the Digestion journal showed that aloe vera helped in increasing the frequency of bowel movements and improving the texture of the stools. Laxative dependency was also greatly reduced. However, it failed to establish any reduction in pain. Although it is prescribed for stomach ailments as a home remedy, studies have thrown up mixed results about aloe's efficiency. However, you can always try incorporating aloe gel in your smoothies to see whether it works for you.

How can you have aloe for IBS?

Pluck a clean aloe leaf and run it through water multiple times. You can also soak it in water overnight to remove all the grime and dust from its surface. Split the leaf in half with a clean knife and scoop out the innards of the aloe plant. Alternatively, you can also grind the entire leaf by snipping off its pointy spikes.

To be on the safer side, consult your gastroenterologist or a good naturopath before you commence treatment.

Read whether turmeric can treat IBS.

References:

Surjushe, A., Vasani, R., & Saple, D. G. (2008). ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 53(4), 163 166. http://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.44785

Bahrami, H. R., Hamedi, S., Salari, R., & Noras, M. (2016). Herbal Medicines for the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Electronic Physician, 8(8), 2719 2725. http://doi.org/10.19082/2719

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