Aloe vera Helps Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is IBS?

IBS (also known as spastic colon) is the most common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system), accounting for more than half the patients referred to gastroenterologists. Its symptoms can range from extreme abdominal pain, intestinal cramps, excessive wind, alternating diarrhoea and constipation to indigestion, exhaustion and lower back pain. The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be a disturbance of the normal muscle function of the large intestine - its main underlying feature is abnormal muscle contractions in the colon/bowel. Doctor Supports Aloe vera for IBS

Dr. Peter Atherton of Britains National Health Service was for many years a staunch supporter of only orthodox medicine. Last year (2000), a patient asked Dr. Artherton whether hed heard of Aloe veras reputation as a healing agent in inflammatory diseases. The doctor hadnt “believed” in any natural therapies until then but for some reason started researching Aloe vera.

A search of the literature found that 39 out of 40 research papers found positive benefits for Aloe vera in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. He started informal trials on some of his chronically ill patients (including many with irritable bowel syndrome).

Dr. Atherton was astonished at the positive results he obtained using Aloe vera on patients who had received no benefit from previous orthodox treatments. He now believes that Aloe vera could be the key to relieving irritable bowel syndrome for millions of sufferers.

IBS Patient Swears by Aloe vera

Paul Hornsey from Hampshire in England was diagnosed as suffering from irritable bowel syndrome 12 years ago. This is what he has to say about Aloe vera: "The doctors didnt seem to know much about my condition. I was told simply to eat less fibre. For more than ten years I put up with the excruciating pain to the point of almost being hospitalised". Last year Pauls wife recommended Aloe Vera, having heard from friends that it could help. Paul recalls: " the relief from taking the Aloe Vera was marvellous. For the first time in ten years I can eat what I like.” Proof?

Although the gold standard of medical evidence - double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials - have not yet tested the effectiveness of Aloe vera for treating IBS, there is logical sense for its use. The many anecdotal reports attesting to its effectiveness may just trigger such research. Earlier studies have proven its effectiveness for a number of other illnesses of the digestive system. The main component of Aloe vera that is believed to account for its reported effectiveness against IBS is a complex carbohydrate (polysaccharide) named acemannan. This compound has been comprehensively studied and is known to exert many beneficial therapeutic effects. Other compounds in Aloe vera that may account for this herb's effectiveness against IBS include anthraquinones and saponins. Aloe vera also contains a vast array of common beneficial amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Using Aloe vera for IBSAloe vera is available as a drinkable liquid (juice extract) from the inner gel of its leaves and in freeze-dried capsules. The dosages differ for each product according to the potency of each individual product but a commonly-recommended dosage is 30 ml per day. Note that topically-applied Aloe vera gels for application to the skin are definitely NOT suitable for treating IBS.