benefits of aloe vera

I've recently begun to wonder about the benefits of aloe vera juice as a drink. Aloe Vera is one of those fashionable little herbal treatments that has become really popular these days. Up to now, I've been well aware of the external benefits of aloe vera. I use many aloe vera based lotions and creams to treat sun burns and minor scrapes, and also simply to moisturize dry skin. But I have never used it internally, even though it seems to be becoming increasingly popular for internal use.

So just what are the benefits of Aloe Vera juice inside the body? If you do a quick search through various Internet sites, you'll quickly discover that the benefits of Aloe Vera juice cover a large range of possibilities. You'll see claims that it boosts the immune system, helps you to avoid cancer, extends life span, gives you a more youthful complexion, and many others. If you look a little further, however, you will discover a number of more reputable sites with more reasonable discussions on the benefits of Aloe Vera juice.

There hasn't, unfortunately, been many reasonable scientific studies done on the benefits of Aloe Vera juice. To date, the one clear established beneficial use of aloe vera taken internally is as a laxative because it is a rather harsh purgative. But you rarely see it marketed as a laxative.

Some studies have even indicated that it can actually increase your risk for cancer if used regularly as a laxative. Currently it's unclear what other side effects aloe vera juice may have, and is therefore not a good idea for use in pregnant women.

So although the benefits of Aloe Vera juice are praised by hosts of different sites around the internet, you'll fast notice that its invariably the ones that are trying to sell you something that make these claims. One of my favorite claims that I came across was one that said something like 'because aloe vera juice is 100 percent natural, it's completely safe and you can drink as much as you like'.

This claim is at the top of the most absurd things I've ever read online to date. Most of the top fatal and toxic substances known today are completely natural. This is particularly funny (in a terrible way) because one fitness site I visited suggested that drinking too much aloe vera juice can induce nausea and vomiting. This alone indicates that it is probably not as safe to drink as many claim.

Therefore, in my humble opinion, the benefits of Aloe Vera juice do not measure up to the possible side effects and possible risks. There are plenty of other milder laxatives out there that have already been proven safe and I would say wait until there have been more tests on the internal benefits of aloe vera before putting it into your body.