Healing Properties of Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera is a succulent that grows in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. Nearly 99 percent of the aloe vera plant is water, but the plant's juice contains beneficial polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The juice has been used to treat skin and digestive ailments for over a thousand years, according to the University of Maryland. Recent research has found that it may also assist in the treatment of diabetes and herpes.

Burns

• The juice from aloe vera contains polysaccharides, which have immune-stimulating, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Most studies conducted regarding aloe's therapeutic effects on mild burns indicate that it reduces recovery time by up to nine days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, some studies have shown conflicting results of aloe vera's effectiveness in treating mild burns.

Skin Conditions

• Aloe vera gel is often used to treat irritating skin conditions and the juice contains the same healing properties. Preliminary studies show that aloe vera may be useful in treating psoriasis and its anti-inflammatory action may be equal to 1 percent hydrocortisone cream. Additionally, aloe vera contains significant concentrations of nutrients such as essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E, zinc and amino acids, according to the University of Michigan. Aloe vera juice should not be applied to open wounds.

Digestion

• The juice from whole leaf aloe vera contains bitter latex, which has powerful laxative actions. In fact, aloe is so strong a laxative that it can cause painful intestinal cramping. Aloe contains anthraquinone glycosides, which are responsible for the laxative properties. These glycosides break down into chemicals called aglycones in the digestive tract and cause the laxative effect. Historically, Indian herbalists used aloe vera juice to treat intestinal infections. Additionally, some patients supplement with aloe juice as a therapeutic aid for treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. However, only the inner leaf form of aloe juice can be used by individuals with these digestive disorders. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and people with appendicitis should avoid whole-leaf, or latex-containing, aloe juice, according to the University of Michigan.

Diabetes

• Aloe juice reduced blood sugar in individuals with Type 2 diabetes in two preliminary studies. However, additional research is necessary to determine the extent of aloe's effect on blood-sugar levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Additional Health Benefits

• Although more research is required, early studies show that aloe juice in gel form may reduce the symptoms of genital herpes. Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap, and skin ulcers may improve with aloe vera use.

Precautions

• Aloe vera juice may interfere with some medications. Aloe juice should be used under the supervision of a doctor for diabetics and people taking diuretics or digoxin.