Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Aloe gel taken at 3 ½ oz twice per day for four weeks reduced effects of ulcerative colitis by 30% over a control group.
Aloe vera is commonly thought of as a treatment for sunburns or skin conditions, but recent research shows aloe vera gel can also improve inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis (1,2).
The first records of aloe vera date back 6,000 years, showing the Egyptians were using it medicinally (2). There are two main parts to the aloe vera plant: the clear gel in the leaves and the green part of the leaf surrounding the gel. The green part is what is used in aloe juice or dried to form aloe latex. It is important to note the difference because the gel is anti-inflammatory and healing, while the latex is a powerful laxative (1). The gel form of aloe is what was used in the recent double blind placebo controlled study (1).
The researchers used the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) to determine the severity of ulcerative colitis. A score of 12 or higher indicates severe acute colitis requiring hospital admission. A score of less than 3 indicates inactive disease. The current research included participants with mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis with a score greater than 3, but less than 12 (1).
A total of 44 participants randomly received either placebo (n=14) or aloe vera gel liquid (n=30) (1). Participants were advised to start with 25-50 mL of liquid twice per day for 3 days to ensure tolerability in both groups. The dosage was then increased to 100 mL twice daily for the remainder of the 4-week study (1).
Clinical remission (defined as a SCCAI score of 2 or below) after the 4-week trial occurred in 30% of participants taking aloe vera gel and only 7% participants taking placebo (P=0.09). Clinical improvement (defined as a decrease in SCCAI of 3 or more points) occurred in 37% of participants taking aloe vera gel and in 7% of participants taking placebo (P=0.06) (1). None of the participants withdrew due to adverse side effects from aloe vera.
In conclusion, 100 mL of aloe vera gel taken twice daily over 4-weeks produced clinical remission or clinical improvement in a significantly greater portion of the test group compared to the control group in this study. This was one of the first clinical trials to study the effects of aloe vera on ulcerative colitis. Further research with more participants over a longer period of time is warranted. Future research might also include the dosage required in the maintenance of ulcerative colitis in remission (1).
Source: Langmead, L., et al. “Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis.” Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 19.7 (2004): 739-747.
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Posted July 11, 2012.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Landmead L, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004; 19: 739-47.
- Aloe Vera. National Institute of Health – posted on the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website.
