The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dianne (Tampa, Fl) on 07/08/2009
★★★★★
I apologize in advance for how lengthy this is. I am writing to let everyone know about the incredible benefits we have experienced with Aloe. About one and a half years ago our whole family came down with whooping cough. I decided to try Aloe, as a friend I had known had had great success with it for treating a serious prolonged cough and my mother also told me that in Colombia SA they would use a beaten concoction of Aloe and egg whites to treat whooping cough when she was a little girl. I researched Aloe on the internet, and though I didn't find the egg white recipe, I found many things Aloe is good for. It did work very well for whooping cough, especially helping to calm the nightime attacks, and a friend tried it for her daughter's whooping cough and had the same results. When I looked Aloe up on the internet, the treatment for the ailment that interested me the most was asthma. My son had been struggling with it for several years- not severe, but mostly sports induced and it greatly hindered his ability to play sports. I have tried most home remedies for asthma and have had so-so results. He began drinking it every day and by the end of the second month his attacks were completely gone. As long as he continues to drink it daily, he has no attacks. If he stops it entirely he begins having attacks again after a couple of months.
I found that one of the reasons that Aloe works for asthma (and other conditions like arthritis and lupus) is because it is anti-inflammatory. So, it keeps the airways from getting inflamed. Another reason it works is because it is also excellent for treating allergies which many times are a trigger for asthma. One of the reasons it works for allergies is because of the collagen it causes your body to produce which thickens the the mucus linings of your respiratory system and intestinal tract (heals leaky gut) which in turn helps you not to be so sensitive to allergens. Another reason is that it treats systemic candida which is usually the root of asthma and allergies.
The funny thing I noticed, which is not mentioned in any literature I have researched about Aloe, is that it has also helped with his stunted growth. My son is really short for his age and in the two years before taking Aloe, he only grew six inches total. Once he began taking Aloe for his asthma he grew almost six inches in one year. The growth spurt coincided exactly with time he first began the Aloe. I've tried my own "experiments" to see if his growth is related to the Aloe or if it is just his time to start growing, and I've found that if he has a period of a couple of months where he doesn't take his Aloe at all or only takes it once a week or so, he only grows about a quarter of an inch per month or less. When he takes it every single day, he grows about a half inch per month.
My father has been really inspired about my son's story and began taking it himself about four months ago for his prostate. He has been on prostate medication for the past ten years and still gets up to urinate about four times per night. He has tried different prostate medicines as well as his own share of home remedies, and nothing has worked. Well, after drinking Aloe daily for a couple of months, he was able to get off of his prostate medicine completely. Now he only gets up once or twice per night and he's not on any prostate medicine.
I've heard some people make some type of Aloe tea infusion, but the way we take Aloe is this: We buy a fresh Aloe stalk from the produce section of the grocery store. It has to be at least fourteen inches long, or I've read it's not as beneficial. The Aloe has to be nice and firm. Don't use it if it is soft and squishy as it is too old and may actually aggravate some candida problems. We slice off a three inch section from the base and peel off the thick green skin with a paring knife and discard it. We then take the gel (from the three inch section) and gently blend it with a drink mixer with some orange juice for palatability. The less you blend, the better as you don't want to destroy the beneficial properties.
You can buy bottled Aloe, but I DON'T RECOMMEND IT! While there may be some good Aloe products out there, I've read that sometimes the bottle can say 100% Aloe and it is actually 95% water, but for some reason the FDA allows them to say 100% Aloe even if it isn't. The other reason is that bottled Aloe is usually pasteurized which kills many of the beneficial enzymes that make Aloe so effective. Fresher is always better with Aloe.
Aloe Vera Preparation and Recipe
Posted by Franko (Perth/mindarie, W/australia) on 06/21/2013
Franko again! Do not be afraid to experiment. I never ever follow anything blindly any longer. Things have to be adjusted to YOU! . Your body/organism communicates with you, so listen to it. When you try anything with Aloe Vera, first try it only simple! - like 1 stick of (I use a large/old) Aloe Vera, 1 banana, some lemon juice, (maybe half of a lemon), and a tbs of honey. It adds up to around 1/2 litres of drink. I drink it all at once. My wife drinks only a small glassful. And finally the benefits: Makes me feel full of energy. There are lots of necessary/beneficial minerals in Aloe, just like in Lemon, Dandelion, Asparagus, other herbs you can add, you may experiment with. Cleanes my digestive system out! Although I didn't check, but my bloodpressure isn't bothering me any longer. I was diagnosed with chronic gastritis, suffering from heart burning, (all this as the consequences of the drugs/medications I was given, never even slightly improving whatever it was given for, but causing a truckload of other complications), dissappeared, or eased up to a level that I live a pretty normal life. My body totally rejects even the simpliest medications. In contrast to my problems caused by medications, I do tolerate all the above mentioned, in spite of the bitter taste etc. I am also a huge believer/user of Kefir. (See my comments on Kefir). You can become "with an ease" your own very best DOCTOR, as long as you are willing/learn to listen to the needs of your body, and not to someone whose existence dippends on you being sick/treated and never ever cured. The less Doctors you see the less problems you have. The only time my grandma was seen by a Doctor, when she died in the arms of my grandfather. The only person who could give him a Death Certificate was the Doctor. My grandma always managed to cure/treat herself with simple herbs, home remedies she made at home. She had no medical training or education of any kind. Used only her simple/pure logic/honesty in approaching anything in life. Always worked!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Barbara (Payson, Arizona) on 08/12/2007
★★★★★
I've been taking Aloe Vera in tablet form 600 mg a day for 3 1/2 months and no more acid reflux, my skin has improved ( I had very dry skin and flakiness, it's gone) and my hair is starting to return to it's natural color, I'm 65 years old. I will continue to take the tablets to see what else it will do for me. I know more will be helped, I have no doubt.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Yvonne (Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico) on 08/28/2012
★★★★★
I can vouch for the aloe lemon drink. I discovered that when I start my day (best to do it first thing for highest potency and absorbability) with a fresh aloe vera leaf blended in a glass of water with a lemon or two, I lose weight without changing anything else.
I did this for about four months and had lost 6 pounds, when I went for my yearly dental exam. My gums had been receding for years, and I could always count on a scolding for not taking care of my teeth (which was not accurate). This time, not only did I have no cavities and no further gum disease, but the dentist congratulated me for doing such a great job of my oral hygiene! Ha!
I have read it is best to pick the aloe fresh each morning before the sun comes up (it has higher nutritients at that time), so I now grow my own aloe plants organically, rise early, and drink my fresh aloe and fresh lemon before eating anything else. I have also discovered it lowers both my blood sugar and blood pressure, both of which were beginning to concern me. Blessings.
Skin
Posted by Don (Mesa, Az) on 05/26/2021
★★★★★
We live in a 4-plex apartment, and about 6 years ago a neighbor planted a few Aloe Vera plants along the side of the building as she was moving away. I've never thought of using them for healing purposes, but after a major heart attack, (also 6 years ago), and a lot of heart meds, I've noticed problems with side effects of the meds. My biggest concern is keeping my blood thin enough to keep blood clots at bay, which was the cause of my heart attack.
I came across this site in my quest for natural cures, and decided to try out the Aloe Vera as a drink to lower my blood pressure. We've probably got 30 or 40 plants, so I cut off some leaves, peeled away the outer skin, and scooped out the "pulp" from inside. I then blended it with about 8 oz of pure water, held my breath, and drank some. To my surprise, Susan Cunningham is right. There is almost no taste in the pulp! Now I plan to drink it daily and also rub some on my skin. I rubbed some on my left leg and not my right. The difference in smoothness and softness was very apparent! I also plan on seeing how it works on my age spots and who knows??? I think the woman that left them may have given me a gift from God! I'm 71 now, and could use some help with my aging body. I'll see what happens!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Ujosh (Dubai, Uae) on 04/08/2012
★★★★★
Aloevera leaf without thorn, half lemon juice, little honey to taste = perfect recipe for getting rid of any illness - specifically high BP, diabetes and even high chelostrol. This simply works because aloevera coats your digestive track with its sticky stuff and there is no reabsorption of toxins - no toxins then body does not have to produce extra elements that increase pressure, sugar, etc.
Add 30 minutes walk/run a day to this and forget about any illness that you may had before. I make this juice everyday. good health everyone.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Darryl (Atlanta, GA) on 10/03/2006
★★★★★
I drink Aloe Vera juice for BACK PAIN, ENERGY, REGULARITY, CLEANSING ALL AROUND HEALING. I have been drinking Aloe Vera Juice for the last 13-14 years. 21 OUNCES every morning before I get in the shower and I feel like I should put an S on my chest and fly out the window. If you want just a good feeling overall. This is the best way to start the day. Remember Aloe Vera is a healer. So I suspect my internal organs in my body should be in very good shape!
Gum Issues
Posted by Sonal (Charlotte Nc) on 09/13/2013
★★★★★
Want to share my experience with aloe vera. My gum was hurting from eating too much sweets and nothing was helping. I tried oil pulling with sesame oil, mustard oil, turmeric powder, salt but all in vain. Finally I tried aloe vera and it helped and was healed in a day. Have a aloe vera plant so I took tbsp of gel from leaf and mixed it with water. Did some gargles/squished around mouth with this water and voila gum is not hurting.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Ujosh (Dubai, Uae) on 04/20/2012
★★★★★
Hi, I am travelling so could not post a video but will definitely make it as soon as I can. I thought to pen my recipe.
I take AloeVera leaf that is thick. I have observed that it makes better juice. I normally cut 5 leaves and put it in the refrigerator. (One of the nearby places has put AV plants as part or decoration on road and do not mind me taking it!!! ) I use one leaf a day & weekend off. The length from tip to my cut is nomally around 25-30 cm or 1 foot and thicknes of more than 1/2inch around 20cm (3/4") is really good.
First, wash it throughly with water, occasionally rubbing with fingers. take out thorns - just cut few mm aways from both sides.
Now take your blender jar and make slits at 10 mm distance (5 -6 cuts vertically) on leaf and then cut horizontally to get 2-5 mm thick nice slices of aloe vera leaf dropping them directly to the jar. Repeat the process till end of the leaf. I add one lime (juice only no seeds & not whole lime) and little honey may be a spoon just for taste. There is no harm in adding any of your favorite juice or berries. use what ever make it tasty! .
Blend it - (i have 3 speed blender so do it at fast, then medium followed by low) It should become light greenish-whitesh colour thick shake - this is the best leaf & juice. Sometimes if I add water it becomes runny so I avoid. I may put 3-4 icecubes after first blend just to get the mixture smooth.
Pour in a glass and drink it in one go - bottoms up to get best coverage on your digestive track. I put water in jar and then same liquid in glass to make sure that I have consumed last drop of av. Science is still not sure on which part works the most so I donot want to take chances!!
taking this juice should give you regular smooth motion from day 2-4 depending upon your cronic constipation. This is first sign of aloe working in the body!! The more you keep on taking it will get rid of toxin. It is not only aloevera but your faith in the AV that makes miracles! If you are not sure then donot waste your time. when you have full faith in AV and strong desire to become healthy, please try this.
I drink this after my 40 minute run and one glass of water.
During the day, I take normal tea or green tea which ever is handy.
AV has balanced my water intake as well. I think I have dropped 2 inches for sure may be more in last 3 months.
i started with 1 hour brisk walk on asphalt (no greens here) slowy added running starting from 100 m a piece and now I am able to run 4 Km a day and completed one 10km single strech run... all thanks to AV.
Good health everyone!
Energy
Posted by Amber (Portland, Oregon) on 03/28/2009
★★★★★
Aloe Vera is an amazing energizer. It revitalizes the entire system. It is not a stimulant type of energy, you will just feel great, and begin to realize that your energy level just won't quit. Fresh aloe vera is best; if you live in a cold climate, house plants work well.
I take Aloe Vera often for it's overall health benefits, but especially if I am super tired or have had a very late night with perhaps a bit of drinking, and know that my energy is not going to get any better. It's a healthier feeling than just drinking a bunch of coffee, though I admit that on such a day I probably would add a bit of that too. I find that if I am super tired that drinking Green Tea, Apple Cider Vinegar, and/or taking Aloe Vera is best to do first, because these things help your body to truly be reenergized, while Coffee just pulls you up and wears your system out.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dorothee Krien (Cork City, Ireland) on 08/28/2007
★★★★★
I moved to Ireland where the public water supply is fluoridated. A single cup of fluoridated water gives me an extreme headache - I suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity. I try to avoid drinking fluoridated water as much as possible, but sometimes it is simply impolite to refuse an offered cup of tea or coffee. By chance I found that fresh aloe vera helps me to get rid of the headache. I notice the prematurely aged skin of most Irish women, most of whom have the genetic make-up for beautiful skin. A female friend with a very beautiful skin - she is in her fifties - told me that she has been taking aloe vera juice for the past fifteen years.
Energy
Posted by Cookie (Nashville, Tn) on 10/14/2011
★★★★★
I've been drinking Aloe Vera Juice for the last 2 months. 4oz in the morning and 4 oz at night, it has helped with my weight loss, heart burn, and energy. I recommend it to everyone and love the benefits of it!
General Feedback
Posted by Fountainflower (Chicago, Il, 60302) on 03/26/2010
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I studied holistic medicine and healing for many years. After a stint of ill health and poor diet, I developed two ulcers and then GERD and was told Aloe Vera was the best cure by other professionals in the alternative healing arts. I used it for almost a year. I ended up much sicker than I should have been, with a stomach valve that refuses to close properly, malnutrition, esophageal spasms that either felt like heart problems and caused me to call an ambulance or that triggered a near fatal PSVT as I have pre-existing heart disease already.
Here's the think about Aloe. I started seeing a Chinese doctor when my life was at stake and I was bedridden in agony. The aloe is a temporary cure that makes you feel better but is only recommended for a week or two at most. Aloe has a cooling effect on your digestion. It slows your digestion, even though it has laxative properties. It metabolically cools your digestive tract, and for someone like me, who was suffering from lack of digestive fire, and the inability to digest my food properly, this made my condition life-threatening, and then the food started backing up in my stomach, thus causing the stomach valve to not close properly, thus causing MORE esophageal spasms (GERD) that put my life at risk. After two years of agony, when I stopped the aloe, I started healing, recovering from pain and malnutrition, and started losing weight. I HIGHLY recommend NOT using Aloe as a remedy for more than a week or two, and instead, go see a holistic or Chinese doctor for your ailment, FIND THE ACTUAL CAUSE< change your diet, meditate, and get a cure that doesn't have the potential to kill you. And yes, I was staunch advocate of Aloe as a cure, I stood by it and even argued with the doctor that he was wrong for 6 months.
So please realize, I am very alternative and holistically minded, but Aloe is not something you should drink on a long-term basis without a doctor advising and monitoring your progress and digestion, because unless you have too much heat (in Chinese terms) in your bowels and adrenal organs, which is rarely the case with GERD and constipation, drinking Aloe will make you sicker over time. Please consider my words.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dianne (Seffner, Fl) on 03/19/2011
I found it!!! I previously posted a piece about Aloe for stunted growth, but said I had no literature to support it. Well, I was researching Aloe for something else and came across a study performed on chickens who were fed increasing quantities of Aloe. The chickens with the Aloe grew more than the ones without. Just google Aloe and chickens for more information.
Aloe Vera Preparation and Recipe
Posted by Franko (Perth, Mindarie, W. Australia) on 06/14/2013
Like I said I grow my own Aloe Vera, it is as organic as possible. I just can't go wrong in there. On the other hand I've noticed, if I use/add other goodies from unreliable sources my body indicates/protests nearly immediately. The same applies if I eat something good, with healing qualities, my body indicates/communicates "keep doing it, I love it". Therefore keep communicate/listen to your body/organism. It is the very best indicator, your best advisor. No Doctor can beat that communication/advise. Unlike medications herbal/home remedies act pretty much immediately, and unlike medicatios/drugs have no or minimal side effects. Probably the biggest problem with the common use of everyday medications is the fact that they damage your bodies/organisms capacity to warn/communicate/indicate you are on the wrong path. In conclusion try to selfeducate yourself and use herbs, home remedies wherever and whenever possible. It might be time consuming, but extremely rewarding. "Its about your health! " Just about anything could be grown in your garden or in a pot. Good luck, Franko from Perth
How to Use Aloe Vera
Posted by Jenn (Coborra, Australia) on 01/04/2015
★★★★★
Aloe vera, the plant would be good for healing.
Because the sap stains clothing permanently, it may be wise to wear old daggy clothes, when doing this process...so cut with a sharp knife, a leaf or a piece of same depending on the size of the leaf, about 6 inches, and put in a cup of cool water.... With this same knife, take leaf out and cut off the spines along the edge and discard it and the water which may have a brownish tinge. Rinse knife and cut open the leaf to reveal the white inner gel. Now this gel, although extremely bitter, can be taken internally for those die-hards out there, and will help with digestive and constipation problems and can assist if taken on a regular basis with internal cleansing and inner healing.
But, for healing of skin it's wonderful.
If using for this purpose, scrape as much of the inner leaf out as possible, put into clean drinking water in a cup ( preferably not tap water due to the chemicals) and discard the leaf afterwards. You may find it easier to put a small piece onto your scars and cover with a piece of clean cotton material or bandage, or a wide band-aid . You can change it as often as you like but try and leave it on for at least 2 days at a time, to allow it to heal. Try and use the Aloe vera gel in water within 5 days and make a fresh batch. After you have made it a couple of times all these instructions will seem like nothing, you'll just whizz through it because it is so easy to do.
Long term healing is possible if taking a good quality calcium, zinc supplement with possibly magnesium , silica, biotin or brewers yeast..some or all, as these help to renew your skin.
There is Aloe vera juice available in many places and is marketed as 99.92% pure and if you do not have access to the actual plant then this would be acceptable but it does generally have Potassium Sorbate or Sodium Benzoate as a preservative, which are necessary to stabilise the Aloe vera to market it to the public, otherwise it would go 'off' but is used only in very small quantities.
Fresh is best but if it is not available then the inner leaf juice available commercially can be used.
If using the commercial juice, soak clean cotton strips ( an old sheet, not flannelette will do) in the juice , wring out slightly and either use straight away or hang to dry and use as a medicated dressing. Sorry about this long answer! This can also be used for burns and general skin healing.
Hope this will be of assistance.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Posted by Jnell (Lumby, Bc, Canada) on 04/04/2013
★★★★★
Aloe Vera for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: I'll try and keep this short but to the point. Back in November of 2011 I was hospitalized for severe abdominal pain that radiated down my legs, after then going in and out of the hospital and several clinics for tests to be run including blood work, urine analysis ultra sounds and a CT scan, and then finally seeing a specialist I was diagnosed with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. I was given a prescription (which I never filled! ) for dilaudid and told that I would need to have a hysterectomy in order to "possibly" relieve my symptoms .. I was not yet even 30! I did a bunch of research and decided to try taking Aloe internally, I started at the beginning of February 2012 and by the end of the month my pain was gone!!! I have since kept taking the Aloe in hopes that not only will my pain be gone but that I might actually CURE myself of this... I have heard that long term use of Aloe will in fact cure it :) I take 2 oz 3x per day, it tastes nasty but it works like a charm.
Celiac Disease
Posted by Susan (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) on 02/13/2010
★★★★★
Before I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I suffered a terrible bout of hiatal hernia with acid reflux (my dr. calls it GERD). He put me on a presciption to deal with the intense discomfort and I took it faithfully for a month with very little relief. Finally in desperation I bought a bottle of aloe juice, took it and within a day I was markedly improved. Within a week the aloe vera had virtually completely healed my stomach and intestinal problems. I use the juice from fillet and it is not as bitter. Now, years later, I still keep a bottle on hand to help me if I accidentally ingest gluten - it helps with the discomfort until the gluten is worked out of my system.
Aloe Side Effects
Posted by Olissima (Md) on 03/25/2021
Mary, are you referring to lowering A1C? I looked at the article and it's about diabetes. A1C (or H1AC) is a marker for monitoring blood sugar. It is NOT hemoglobin level. You need to look at Hb, which is different from A1C.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Posted by Jnell (Bc) on 06/05/2014
★★★★★
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a "chronic" condition in women that is caused by varicose veins in your lower abdomen. Like the varicose veins some people get in their legs, blood pools and creates pressure, forcing the veins to bulge, causing a great deal of pain.
It has been 2 1/2 years since I was diagnosed with this AND Aloe Vera has I believe totally healed me!
Aloe Vera Oil
Posted by Shay (Cape Town, S Africa) on 08/02/2018
Oh interesting, Yogananna. Especially as I'm the perfect guinea pig for everything as a hypersensitive. I've been using Aloe Ferox/ aka Bitter Aloe (supposedly 20x more potent all around than the Vera variety) on and off for a couple of years. As often as I can harvest it and blend in our summer as a sunblock and ingest it also. Never once have I had anything but soothed and calmed facial skin and I apply 2/3 times. I harvest big and small leaves, from the bottom and top of the stem.
Skin
Posted by Susan Cunningham (Ma) on 09/02/2018
Aloe is not bitter if you get the green off. The gel inside is clean tasting. If you cut off the side edges and then since down the peel and scoop out the gel with a spoon. As long as you get all of the green out there should be no bitterness. I put the gel in a blender with a little h2o to blend, then add more, I put the outer leaves in the fridge and use them to wipe over my face after I wash then throw away. Nothing is wasted. I live in New England and grow the Aloe inside in pots, I put the pots out in the summer. You don't need a big pot as the Aloe has a rizome root system. I have put my large Aloe in the cellar in the winter and in the spring there are new babies.
Acne Scars
Posted by K (Chicago, IL) on 07/02/2009
★★★★★
I have been using fresh aloe juice/gel/flesh topically overnight on my chest and back to try to heal scarring due largely to acne. I had been dealing with acne and scarring for months now. Just two nights of applying aloe liberally and directly onto my skin, letting it dry a bit, and then putting on a pajama top overnight has produced surprisingly good results. I am so relieved and amazed. I recommend this very simple, inexpensive, and natural method to everyone.
Aloe Side Effects
Posted by Tim (Minnesota) on 04/12/2023 8 posts
A1c is the glycated blood protein, a measure of blood sugar levels. Lower hemoglobin A1c is good!
Aloe Vera Side Effects
Posted by Lyn (Ohio) on 09/04/2018
@Sara: That makes no sense because aloe vera supplies potassium along with other important minerals (calcium copper selenium chromium manganese magnesium sodium and zinc) that are essential for proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways as per Dr. Josh Axe.
