How To Use Aloe Vera To Treat Constipation

How To Use Aloe Vera To Treat Constipation

How To Use Aloe Vera To Treat Constipation

Aloe vera is a succulent and its leaves are dark green. This plant has long been a trendy remedy against everything from care and healing of burns to cleanser  [1]. Aloe vera may also be used as a natural cure for constipation, but it is not suggested because it can become dangerous and cause diarrhea. It is the cause of kidney disease and cancer [2]. However, if you want to use aloe vera to treat constipation, you can buy it as a capsule, juice or gel.

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A brief introduction of aloe vera and constipation

Study the causes and symptoms of constipation

 If you can not have a bowel movement or go less frequently than usual, you may be constipated [3]. Constipation can be caused by dehydration, lack of fiber in the diet, stress or travel. Knowing the different causes and syndrome of constipation can help you identify why you can not get a stool and take the necessary action.

  • Understand that although constipation is often very annoying, it is also very common [4]. It can become serious only in cases where you can not have a bowel movement after a long time and you will need to see a doctor fix the problem.
  • Constipation can be explained by various reasons, such as disruption in routine or travel, dehydration, insufficient fiber in your diet, consumption of a large quantity of dairy products, laxative abuse lack of activity, hypothyroidism, stress, medications such as antidepressants or analgesics, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy and eating disorders [5].
  • There are several different symptoms such as infrequent bowel movements or difficulty in bowel movements, hard or small bowel movements, feeling of not having a bowel movement, bloated stomach or abdominal pain, and vomiting [6].
  • The frequency of stool varies from one person to another. Some people go there three times a day, while others only go every other day [7]. If you notice that you have a bowel movement less frequently than usual or that you do not go over three stools a week, this may be a sign of constipation [8].

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Try to eat fiber and rehydrate before using a laxative

 Before using Aloe Vera or another natural remedy, first, try to drink plenty of water, eat fiber and even squat. These things can ease your constipation without having to use a laxative.

  • Try to take an extra two to four glasses of water a day. You can also try taking hot liquids such as tea or hot water with lemon [9].
  • Try to take foods high in fiber to help your digestion. Fruits and vegetables are excellent choices. You could also take prunes or cereal bran to get fiber [10].
  • Men should consider eating 30 to 38 grams of fiber a day, while women should try to take at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day [11].
  • For example, a cup of raspberry contains 8 g of fiber, while a cup of fully cooked spaghetti contains 6 g. The beans contain a lot more fiber, with a cup of split peas that provides 16g of fiber and a cup of lentils that contains 15g. Green beans and artichokes contain 8 and 10 g of fiber respectively [12].
  • If you do not find satisfaction by eating high fiber foods and drinking lots of water, try a natural laxative like aloe vera.

Read Also: 21 High Fiber Foods List – You Must Eat

Discover aloe vera as a laxative

 You can use the aloe vera plant as a laxative in three different forms: gel, capsule, and juice. Whatever its form, aloe vera is a powerful laxative and can be consumed with or without moderation [13].

  • Aloe vera-based medicinal products come from two substances that the plant produces: latex and gel. The aloe vera gel found in the leaf of the plant is clear and gelatinous. The latex is yellow and is just under the skin of the plant [14].
  • For the manufacture of some aloe vera products, the leaves of the latter are crushed, hence the content of these products in latex and aloe vera gel.
  • Aloe vera latex hurts the kidneys and for this reason, you should use it moderately. Out of concern for the potentially deleterious effects that may result from the use of aloe vera as a laxative, the Federal Drug Administration has required that it be removed from non-prescription laxatives by the end of 2002 [ 15].

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Buy your aloe vera in the form of gel, capsules or juice

 Juice, gel and aloe capsules are quite easy to find at retailers, grocery stores or health food stores. You will need to mix the two with tea or some other type of juice [16].

  • Health food stores are places where pure gel and aloe juice are more likely to be found. Generally, some retailers specializing in the sale of nutritional supplements also sell pure gel and aloe vera juice.
  • You will find these products, especially aloe vera juice, in most grocery stores.
  • Be sure to buy pure aloe vera gel and not the topical one that is meant to relieve sunburn. This particular product is not intended for ingestion and can harm you if you consume it instead of pure aloe vera gel [17].
  • Aloe vera capsules, in particular, can cause cramps. You can also think of taking a medicinal herb that relieves like turmeric or peppermint to avoid side effects [18].
  • Natural products stores are the places where you can find the aloe vera capsules. You will find these at some retailers specializing in the sale of nutritional supplements.

Consult a doctor

If you have been constipated for two weeks or longer, contact your doctor and make an appointment. This will not only prevent you from having a more serious illness such as intestinal obstruction, but the doctor can also prescribe a healthy and effective method for emptying your intestines.

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Avoid constipation

 If you are finally able to relieve your constipation and do not like being in this uncomfortable state again, consider making changes to your diet and getting into the habit of playing sports. These things can help you avoid being constipated again [19].

  • Be sure to eat a well-balanced meal filled with fiber from vegetables, fruits, vegetables, cereals (such as bran) and whole wheat bread.
  • Drink at least 1-2 liters of water or other fluids daily.
  • Play sports regularly. Even something as simple as walking can help you get into a bowel movement.

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Read Also: Morning Water Therapy: Drinking Water on Empty Stomach

Here are the ways to treat constipation with aloe vera

Prepare and drink the juice or gel of aloe vera to avoid constipation

 Twice a day, prepare either your aloe vera juice or the aloe vera gel that you will take if you choose this option rather than that of aloe vera capsules. This should help ease your constipation in a few days [20]. Aloe vera juice or gel helps to relieve constipation.

  • The dosage for aloe vera juice is half a liter (or 2 cups) in the morning upon waking and half a liter at bedtime [21].
  • The taste of aloe vera juice is very strong. If you can stand it, drink it alone, but if necessary, mix it with 25cl of another juice to reduce the taste [22].
  • The dosage for aloe vera gel is 2 tablespoons a day mixed with another juice that you like to take [23]

Try aloe vera capsules to avoid constipation

 In one day, take three times your aloe vera capsule with a tea to avoid constipation. If you prefer this method to that of gel or juice of aloe vera. This should help relieve your constipation in a few days.

  • The dosage for aloe vera capsules (concentrate) is 5 g taken three times a day.
  • Think of taking a relief herb like peppermint or turmeric to reduce the side effects of aloe vera capsules.

Sometimes you need to avoid aloe vera

 The use of aloe as a laxative is not recommended to everyone. If you are a nanny or a pregnant woman, avoid using aloe vera as a laxative. Children, as well as people with diabetes, hemorrhoids, kidney problems and intestinal disorders such as Crohn’s, should also avoid taking aloe vera as a laxative.

  • People with allergies to garlic, onions or tulips should avoid aloe vera.

Here are some side effects of aloe vera on your health

Aloe vera is a powerful laxative and its consumption is not without potential side effects including abdominal pain and stomach cramps. For this, it is crucial to follow the dosing instructions and stop use after 5 days.

  • The long-term use of aloe vera as a laxative can have serious consequences for your health. Apart from abdominal cramps, it can also lead to diarrhea, kidney failure, hematuria, low potassium levels, muscle weakness, weight loss and heart problems.
  • If you do not want to use aloe vera, consider taking alternative laxatives such as senna, psyllium fiber or a non-prescription laxative. These are milder laxatives.

Tips

Relaxation techniques and stress management can also help relieve constipation.

Warnings

  • Avoid injections of aloe vera because they can cause a serious reaction.
  • Aloe vera is not recommended for use by children, pregnant women or nannies.
  • Do not take aloe vera if you are allergic to a member of the lily family such as onions, tulips or garlic.
  • Use aloe vera to get rid of constipation but in moderation.

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About the Author: Usman Babar

A businessman by profession. blogger by luck. I love to write about Health and Fitness.