The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Mayo Clinic agree that aloe vera is probably safe for the average adult when applied to the skin. However, they caution against taking aloe by mouth in some circumstances. Consult a physician before adding any herbal or supplements to your regimen.
Allergy
Experts at the Mayo Clinic state that aloe vera belongs to the Liliaceae family of plants, which includes onions, garlic, and tulips. They caution that anyone with a known allergy to aloe’s relatives may also be sensitive to aloe in topical or oral form. The Mayo clinic also reports that allergic rashes have developed in people who use aloe for long periods of time.
Abdominal Cramps and Diarrhea
Aloe has strong laxative effects when taken orally that can cause cramping and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. The National Center of Complementary and Alternative medicine advises that aloe should be avoided in cases of severe abdominal pain, constipation with no bowel movement for more than three days, appendicitis, and Paralytic ileus–temporary paralysis of the muscles of the bowel.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Potassium is an electrolyte necessary for muscle function. When aloe is taken as a laxative, it causes potassium loss. This can lead to muscle weakness and irregular heart rhythm. The Mayo Clinic states that people with heart disease, kidney disease, or known electrolyte imbalance should not take aloe by mouth.
Lower Blood Sugar
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that preliminary research points to aloe vera as a possible agent to lower blood sugar. More studies are needed and clinical trials are ongoing, but diabetics should only take aloe under the supervision of a physician with careful blood glucose monitoring, according to Mayo Clinic experts.
Not for Pregnant Women
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database classifies aloe as “possibly unsafe” in its ingestible forms for pregnant women. It states that the same properties known to cause the laxative effect have been indicated through clinical observation as a possible cause of miscarriage; therefore, pregnant women should not take aloe. The Mayo Clinic agrees, and warns that because it is not known if aloe’s active ingredients are present in breast milk and as such, mothers who breast-feed should also avoid aloe by mouth.
