How to Use Aloe Vera to Treat Irritable Bowel

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition that is characterized by pain, diarrhea and constipation. For IBS sufferers who experience frequent constipation symptoms, aloe vera can be an effective treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Aloe vera juice
• Aloe vera latex

Instructions

1. See a gastroenterology specialist to diagnose your irritable bowel syndrome. This condition is often misdiagnosed because there is no specific lab test to identify it. A specialist can rule out other potentially dangerous conditions, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, that have some of the same symptoms as IBS.

2. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Antispasmodic drugs are often prescribed to treat abdominal pain caused by colon spasms (cramps). Additional drugs, including anti-depressants, are also used to treat select cases of IBS.

3. Drink aloe vera juice to help with constipation symptoms. Aloe vera has laxative properties and acts as a stool softener.

4. Use aloe vera occasionally as a colon cleanser. Sometimes toxins build up in the colon over time, causing many of the symptoms of IBS. Drinking aloe vera juice daily for a period of several weeks can help irrigate the colon and loosen the toxic residue.

5. Monitor your physical response to aloe vera therapy in conjunction with your doctor. There are numerous side effects of taking aloe vera internally for an extended period of time. A doctor can identify excessive use that's detrimental to your health.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow aloe vera treatment to work for at least 2 months before deciding if it's for you. It can take aloe vera some time to produce real results.

• Take aloe vera juice in its dried form, known as latex. The latex may be easier to take than drinking aloe juice if you have an upset stomach. A dosage of .04 to .17 g of aloe latex is recommended.

• The FDA classifies aloe as a Class 1 harsh stimulant laxative that can cause diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps and spasms, even in people without irritable bowel disorder.

• Anthranoid laxatives like aloe may increase the risk of colon cancer, even when used as directed. If you choose to take aloe orally, you should follow all colon cancer screening protocols strictly.

• Excessive use of aloe vera and other anthranoid laxatives can lead to a condition called melanosis coli, which causes the colon wall to blacken. This condition usually goes away when you stop taking these laxatives.

• Everyone is different. Aloe therapy for IBS may not work on the digestive symptoms of all sufferers. If you do not see improvement or are having a worsening of symptoms, discontinue use of aloe vera and consult your doctor.