Aloe vera is a green coloured plant that contains mucous like a gel inside the leaves. This gel has wonderful health benefits, thanks to the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera juice is nutrition-rich and consuming it internally can treat many disorders, including cancer. However, what people forget to understand is the fact that overdoing anything can lead to complications. While aloe vera is a miracle plant and is an elixir to mankind, it comes with its side effects. One needs to weigh the pros and cons thoroughly before deciding on its usage. Topical application of aloe vera on sensitive skin can aggravate the situation. Likewise, consuming it internally may not suit every stomach. Check out this article to learn more about Aloe vera side effects.
Is Aloe Vera Safe To Consume?
The safety of Aloe vera is dependent on your body type and its resistance to the gel. The gel contains an agent called Latex, which when consumed on latex intolerant stomach, can lead to dehydration and serious stomach disorders. Aloe vera is known for its laxative effects and high sodium levels, which when consumed can lead to water loss and lowered potassium levels in the body.
What Are The Side Effects Of Aloe Vera Latex?
Latex in aloe vera is the yellow coloured substance that is present underneath the gel. Studies prove that even a small amount of Latex when consumed, can pose severe health issues. Diarrhoea is the most common issue and one may experience stomach cramps, kidney ailments and lowered potassium levels.
Especially when taken more than 1 gm, Latex in aloe vera can prove to be fatal, where the water loss cannot be controlled. The effects of Latex lasts for at least a week. However, topical application of Latex is relatively safe, unless you have sensitive skin.
Is Aloe Vera Latex Safe To Be Consumed By Children?
The answer is No! Latex is not suitable for adults, and particularly in children, the latex sensitivity is on a higher side. Children who have fragile stomachs, when consuming Latex, can fall prey to dangerous situations of extreme diarrhoea, fluid loss and can prove to fatal in extreme cases. It’s important to keep children away from aloe vera juice unless recommended by health care experts.
Aloe Vera Side Effects:
Below are the top 15 applying and eating Aloe Vera side effects that a person should be aware of.
1.Thyroid:
The laxative agent that is present below the leaves of the Aloe plant can inhibit the absorption of certain drugs into the bloodstream. If a person is already under any form of prescribed medication like thyroid or other medicines for other types of an internal problem, then the doctor should be consulted before extracts of this plant are consumed.
This can cause severe dehydration and it can inhibit the absorption of castor oil, rhubarb and also fenugreek. Garlic is often consumed for internal weakness purposes, this when consumed unprocessed can cause some problems of indigestion or others.
2. Aloe Vera Side Effects On Skin:
Some people may be irritable to the consumption of the Aloe vera juice. This is because the agent may cause severe irritations of the skin and also in some cases can cause boils on the surface and can also give rise to rashes which can be read and also can spread. Aloe vera side effects on the face can be noticed in the form of skin burns and blemishes.
3. Diarrhoea:
The common Aloe Vera drink side effects are Diarrhea caused due to Anthraquinone present in the gel of this plant. Hence the amount of intake should be limited and if the problem persists then a doctor should be consulted.
See More: Benefits Of Aloe Vera
4. Irritable Bowel Movement:
Usually, it is said that the gel can be good when consumed and can also get a person rid of any forms of constipation problems. However, it is seen that if this is not properly taken in the right dosages this can cause an irritable bowel movement.
5. Intestinal Ulcers:
The extracts, when taken in juiced form, can increase diseases like Crohn’s, appendicitis, intestinal ulcers, haemorrhoids and also other problems like colitis. This, therefore, it is advisable that proper research should be done before this is consumed.
6. Blood Pressure Problems:
Aloe vera gel is consumed unprocessed can cause improper blood pressure problems. Therefore even though this is natural, yet this should not be consumed unless this is processed and also prescribed under proper dosages by a qualified doctor. This can cause heart problems and sudden lowering or increase of blood pressure, headache and other nervousness or even excessive sweating.
7. Constipation Problems:
It is also seen that if this is consumed even in the right dosages, can cause the depletion of potassium lining from the intestine and can cause constipation problems.
8. Pseudomelanosis:
Increased consumption of the aloe vera gel can cause pseudomelanosis. This is a condition which can increase chances of colorectal cancer.
9. Kidney Damage:
Excess consumption of the Aloe laxative can cause kidney damage or other disorders of the urine system. This is one of the major side effects of Aloe Vera.
10. Aloe Vera Side Effects On Hair:
While there are no noted Aloe Vera side effects on hair, people with sensitive scalps may experience itchiness and irritation when applying the gel directly on it.
11. Electrolytic Imbalance:
Aloe vera causes serious stomach ache, severe appendicitis pain, cramps and on other hands, kidney, liver diseases and provides toxic substances to the liver. Consuming aloe vera by mouth is forbidden and also in some causes aloe vera juices are not preferred. Only aloe vera gel that is being extracted is applied to the affected part of skin and hair.
It also causes an electrolytic imbalance in our body, diarrhoea, constipation problem and hardening of the skin. It takes time to heal a wound if it is being consumed and also caused excessive bleeding. Often aloe vera consumption internally causes rashes, allergies and redness in the skin.
See More: Aloe Vera Juice Uses
12. Cardiovascular Diseases:
Aloe vera increases the risk of irregular heartbeat that has serious side effects on our health. It causes major kidney failure, toxifies the liver, weaken the muscle, lower the potassium level in our blood which may lead to cardiovascular diseases, stomach problem and even cause urinary stones.
Skin is affected by consumption of aloe vera but if we use it externally it won’t affect us rather it would be highly beneficial. When consumed internally, it causes soreness, inflammation of the skin and eyelid redness an even skin splitting.
13. Chance Of Bleeding:
The risk of bleeding is being increased by consuming aloe vera and it causes excessive bleeding. Proper dosing of drugs is highly essential for patients having a bleeding disorder. Some drugs containing the extract also increase the bleeding risk in people who often suffer from this disorder. So people must take suggestion from doctors for dosing adjustments. Aloe vera causes abnormalities in our body which lead to heart diseases and even increases the risk of cancer.
14. Aloe Vera Side Effects On Heart:
The level of potassium ions gets lowered by consuming aloe vera or aloe vera juice. Potassium is effective for our cardiovascular health and proper working of the heart. Also, potassium gets depleted from the intestinal lining cells. Aloe Vera increases constipation problem and bowel movement issues and it would intensify the problem those who are suffering from those problems.
15. Weakness Of Muscles:
Aloe vera consumption is harmful to both elderly people and children. It is not recommended and properly no for consumption. Irregular heartbeat is a serious issue and it even weakens our muscles. Heart conditions get affected even more, for people those who previously suffering from heart diseases.
Is Use Of Aloe Vera During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Safe?
- Aloe Vera is unsafe if we consume and would cause serious issues. It is often considered that it is related to miscarriage.
- It is very unsafe for pregnant ladies and should avoid if you are breastfeeding as it can affect the children also. It often causes diarrhoea, stomach ache and cramps if it is consumed.
- Also, the leaves of aloe vera have major side effects. Only the aloe vera gel which is extracted is used for various purposes and applied to skin and hair for various treatments.
- Aloe vera components are being extracted from the breast milk by the babies that would be harmful to them also and it increases the contraction of uterine.
- Aloe vera juice also is considered harmful for lactating women as it can lead to diarrhoea.
See More: Aloe Vera Oil Uses
It’s a common practice for most of us to rely on internet knowledge and wisdom gained from advertisements. With most Tele buy ads screaming about the benefits of Aloe vera juice and every second article on the Internet applauding its wonderful benefits for health, many people are assuming it to be 100% safe. However, the reality is quite the opposite. This seemingly humble plant, although having brighter benefits, does come with its own set of thorns.
One needs to get the fact right that Aloe vera juice is not entirely free from side effects and it can lead to major health risks. We hope you now understand why it’s not recommended to use any product blindly without outweighing its risks!
