The Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera

Treats Canker Sores

Aloe vera can be very helpful in the treatment of canker sores, which are painful sores that form under the lip or inside the mouth. They typically stay on the face for anywhere from seven to ten days before resolving on their own. Most canker sores don't require treatment. However, they can be painful and uncomfortable, and at-home remedies like aloe vera might help them heal faster. There have been multiple studies indicating treating canker sores with aloe vera can help them heal faster.

One study was done of 180 individuals over seven days. All of the test subjects had recurring mouth ulcers. A patch of aloe vera was applied to the ulcers, and it was shown to reduce the overall size when compared to those who did not use treatment. With that said, it wasn't any more effective than traditional treatment methods, which use corticosteroids. Another study showed aloe vera patches were effective at reducing the pain from canker sores along with helping them heal more rapidly.

Alleviates Constipation

Aloe vera has been shown to alleviate constipation. This is true when individuals use it in latex form rather than gel form. Aloe vera latex looks very different from the gel because it's a different part of the plant. This sticky residue is yellow and can be harvested from below the leaf's skin. The compound that helps with constipation is referred to as barbaloin or aloin. It's a compound that has been established in multiple studies across multiple medical fields to be useful as a laxative.

With that said, some researchers have raised concerns the supplement might not be safe to use for prolonged or frequent periods. Because of safety concerns, individuals can't purchase aloe latex over-the-counter in the United States. It has been unavailable since 2002. Although multiple urban myths are saying aloe vera is helpful for any number of digestive disorders, that doesn't appear to be true. Studies have been done regarding the efficacy of aloe vera on inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome treatment, and there's been no conclusive evidence.