Hello Althea,
Aloe vera juice is a folk remedy that sometimes is recommended as a treatment for constipation, ulcers, arthritis, hemorrhoids, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and a variety of other conditions. It is considered a "general tonic" by some natural health practitioners.
Talk to your Medical Care Team
The first and most important thing to do when using any herbal, dietary supplement, or over-the-counter product is to discuss this with your doctor and your medical care team. Many herbal products, including aloe, can interact in a harmful way with prescription medications. For this reason, it is important to let your doctor, nurse, or dietitian know that you are using aloe or any other dietary supplement. They can help you determine if it is safe to use a particular product, based on your own personal medical history.
Components of Aloe
Aloe vera contains two main components, which are gel and latex. Whole aloe juice may contain one or both of these components. You will need to read the product label to determine if the juice you taking contains only aloe gel, only latex, or both.
Aloe Latex
Aloe latex is the part of the plant that has a laxative effect. If the latex portion of the aloe plant is taken orally, it will increase bowel movements.
Due to the strong laxative effect, aloe latex can cause abdominal pain and cramping. Long term use of aloe latex is NOT advised and can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and potassium depletion from the body. This can be very dangerous because low potassium levels in the body are linked with abnormal heart rhythms and other negative health effects. Also of concern are potential toxic effects of aloe latex on the kidneys and liver. There are reports in the medical literature of kidney and liver failure after prolonged use of aloe latex-containing products.
For all of these reasons, use of aloe latex for anything more than a few days to manage constipation is not safe.
Aloe Gel
Aloe gel is used topically to treat sunburns and other skin irritations. Small research studies suggest that applying aloe to the skin before and after radiation therapy can decrease the severity of radiation burns on the skin surface. Aloe gel is a common ingredient in many lotions and skin creams. Aloe gel is safe for this use.
As well, aloe gel is taken orally as a general tonic and to reduce inflammation. Aloe does contain an aspirin-like substance, so this might account for its proposed use to reduce inflammation and pain associated with conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
There is preliminary evidence that aloe gel taken orally can help lower cholesterol and triglycerides in people with hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). One other proposed use of aloe gel is to lower blood sugar. Some research suggests that taken orally, aloe gel can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. These blood sugar lowering effects may be even stronger when aloe is taken along with other blood sugar lowering medications.
Aloe gel does not cause the loss of potassium in the same way that aloe latex can, and is considered safe for use in small quantities. Research studies examining the effects of aloe for managing inflammatory bowel disease and for cholesterol lowering have used doses ranging from 1/2 ounce to about 3 ounces. For reference, a half-cup (measuring cup) is 4 ounces.
Aloe and Other Medications
Aloe may interact negatively with a variety of medications and should not be used at all by people taking these medications. I'm going to list some of the medications of concern, but please keep in mind that this list is not complete. This is why you must talk to your doctor about whether aloe is safe for you to use.
In particular, there are concerns that taking aloe orally may cause harmful interactions in people taking anti-diabetes (blood sugar lowering) drugs, digoxin (Lanoxin - a heart medication), diuretics (including blood pressure medications), and blood thinning medications such as warfarin and heparin.
All of these interactions focus on aloe latex, rather than aloe gel. While interactions with aloe gel appear to be less likely, they still possible.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that aloe gel is safe to use topically and generally safe when taken orally in small amounts of 3 to 4 ounces per day or less.
Aloe latex is NOT safe for oral use and should not be taken at all.
If the aloe juice you are taking contains aloe latex, it is important to stop using this product immediately. If the aloe juice contains only aloe gel, it is likely safe for use in small quantities (3 to 4 ounces or less per day).
However, you must talk to your doctor about your use of aloe, even if it is just the gel. Negative medication interactions can occur and you need to make sure you are safeguarding your health. Only you and your doctor can determine if aloe gel is safe for you to use regularly.
Aloe vs. Flaxseed
Finally, you mention that you feel like the aloe juice is undoing some of the benefit you felt you were getting from taking flaxseed. If you enjoy flaxseed and feel this is giving you benefit, I suggest you stick with the flaxseed and skip the aloe juice. Flaxseed is a healthy, whole food. As long as you don't have any gastrointestinal conditions prohibiting the use of flax, there are no downsides to including a couple tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your diet each day.
Nutritionist Suzanne
Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD