How is aloe vera good for your gut?
Yep, it’s not just for sunburns! Aloe vera is actually edible, and it can be just as therapeutic internally as it is for the skin. Aloe vera is a succulent plant that grows in
hot and dry climates. If you live in SoCal, you can grow it in your own backyard, patio, or balcony! Historically, this plant has been used as a topical remedy to soothe skin burns, and promote wound healing!
Similarly to how aloe has a soothing effect on irritated skin, it can also help to alleviate discomfort within the digestive tract. Aloe vera consumption has been shown to help alleviate some of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In fact, one study asked IBS patients to rate the severity of their symptoms before and after drinking aloe vera juice for eight weeks. They found that self-reported symptoms such as abdominal pain and gas improved after the treatment!
Supplementation of aloe vera has also been shown to resolve clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis after just four weeks: one study comparing the effects of aloe supplementation for patients with ulcerative colitis to that of a placebo group found clinical remission occurred in 30% of patients treated with aloe vera, and only 7% of those treated with a placebo. Repeated research in this area is still needed to determine it’s significant impact on treating irritable bowel disease (IBD), however these results do suggest that supplementation of aloe vera in addition to traditional therapy may contribute to improved disease outcomes.
Ways to Eat It
*There are three parts to the aloe vera leaf: the skin exterior, the gel interior, & the latex layer in between. All are edible, but it is most common to only consume the gel*
Blend aloe vera gel into smoothies
Add the gel into salsa - the cool aloe pairs well with spice
Aloe vera iced tea - mix the gel with your favorite herbal tea
Green Gut Smoothie With Aloe
Ingredients (Makes 4 Servings):
1 cup coconut milk or other unsweetened plant milk
1/2 cup or 1 medium aloe vera leaf, filleted
1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or frozen
1 handful basil, fresh
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a high powered blender.
Blend until smooth. Note: you may need to add more liquid.
Taste and adjust ingredients as you prefer!
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References
Khedmat, H., Karbasi, A., Amini, M., Aghaei, A., & Taheri, S. (2013, August). Aloe vera in
treatment of refractory irritable bowel syndrome: Trial on Iranian patients. Retrieved from
Langmead, L., Feakins, R. M., Goldthorpe, S., Holt, H., Tsironi, E., Silva, A. D., . . . Rampton, D.
S. (2004, March 18). Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of oral aloe
vera gel for active ulcerative colitis. Retrieved from