It's well known that aloe vera has countless benefits to care for our bodies both on the inside and the outside. There are many home remedies and cosmetic tricks that use this plant as the main ingredient to improve a variety of conditions or to keep your skin in good condition. But not everyone is aware of what the contraindications of aloe vera or side effects are, so in this article at OneHowTo.com we'll explain in detail when you should avoid it.
First, before delving into the contraindications of aloe vera, it's important that this natural product with many beneficial properties may be used in the following ways:
- Externally: The application of aloe vera on the skin, wounds, burns, etc. has no contraindications, so you can use this plant without any problem. However, if the topical use of aloe vera causes some kind of allergic reaction, it's essential to stop applying the aloe and consult a doctor.
- Internally: The ingestion of aloe vera is contraindicated in specific cases so you must be aware when to drink aloe juice or not. Therefore, it's always recommended to consult a medical professional before starting treatment with aloe vera.
Thus, pregnant or lactating women should avoid aloe juice or aloe latex because some of their components could be passed into the breast milk and involve complications. Also, it's possible that aloe vera can cause abortion due to the fact that it promotes uterine contractions, so taking aloe internally isn't suitable for pregnant women.
It is also important to highlight the laxative effects of aloe vera for people who are undergoing medical treatment to facilitate intestinal transit should pay special attention, as well as everyone else, and should avoid drinking aloe juice to excess.
And aloin, one of the components of aloe vera- acts as a strong laxative and diuretic, which can even cause diarrhoea and an excess of stool. Also, it causes a consequent loss of minerals like potassium that could even lead to dehydration.
Furthermore, drinking aloe juice or any of its derivatives shouldn't be given to children under 12 years of age. Otherwise, it may cause side effects such as poisoning accompanied by stomach pain, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, alternatives should be given to young children that don't pose any health risk.
Diabetics should also use extra caution with aloe vera, as its consumption lowers blood glucose levels and could cause hypoglycaemia. Those who take drugs to regulate blood sugar are at a higher risk of aloe vera interfering with these medications and disrupting their glycaemic values.
Combining aloe vera with anticoagulant drugs like Sintrom- or other medications for circulatory and cardiovascular diseases can be very dangerous, since the aloe thins the blood and could even provoke bleeding. For the same reason, those who use other natural remedies to prevent blood clotting shouldn't combine them with aloe, nor people who will be having surgery.
It's also been shown that aloe latex and other derivatives of this plant can cause irritation in the intestines so that it's contraindicated for people with disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, bowel obstructions, Crohn's disease, etc.
These are just some of the most important contraindications of aloe vera, so it will be important to always consult your doctor before starting oral treatment with this product.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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