How to Treat Constipation with Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant with dark green leaves. It has long been used for soothing burns, healing wounds, and removing makeup. In addition, Aloe Vera is sometimes used as a natural remedy for constipation, although it can cause diarrhea and is not considered entirely safe. It is also linked to kidney disease and cancer. However, if you're determined to try Aloe Vera for constipation, it is available in forms such as juice, gel, or capsules.

Learn about the causes and symptoms of constipation. If you're unable to pass stool or do so less frequently than usual, you may be experiencing constipation. This condition can arise from dehydration, a lack of fiber in your diet, changes in your routine due to travel, or stress. Understanding the various causes and symptoms of constipation can help you determine why you're unable to go and decide on appropriate remedies.

• Constipation can cause discomfort, but it is typically a common condition. It becomes more serious if you can't go for a prolonged period, at which point you should see a doctor for a permanent solution.
• There are many potential causes of constipation, including dehydration, insufficient fiber intake, changes in daily habits or travel, lack of physical activity, excessive dairy consumption, stress, overuse of laxatives, hypothyroidism, painkillers or anti-fatigue medications, eating disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and pregnancy.
• Other symptoms may include difficulty or infrequency in passing stools, hard or small stools, feeling incomplete after using the bathroom, bloating, stomach pain, and vomiting.
• Each person has a unique frequency for bowel movements. Some people go three times a day, while others go once every other day. If you notice that your bowel movements are less frequent than usual or you don't go more than three times a week, this could be a sign of constipation.

Drink plenty of water and consume more fiber before using laxatives. Before trying aloe vera or other home remedies for constipation, it's essential to hydrate well, eat fiber-rich foods, and perform squats. These actions can relieve constipation without the need for laxatives.

• Drink an extra 2 to 4 glasses of water daily. Hot tea or warm lemon water are good options too.
• Include fiber-rich foods in your diet to aid digestion. Fruits and vegetables are your best options, along with prunes and whole grain cereals to increase fiber intake.
• Men should consume 30-38 grams of fiber daily, while women need at least 21-25 grams.
• For example, 1 cup of raspberries contains 8 grams of fiber, while 1 cup of whole wheat pasta contains 6.3 grams. Legumes are even higher in fiber: 1 cup of peeled beans has 16.3 grams, and 1 cup of lentils provides 15.6 grams. Artichokes and green beans contain 10.3 grams and 8.8 grams, respectively.
• If drinking plenty of water and eating fiber-rich foods doesn't relieve your constipation, consider trying aloe vera as a natural laxative.

Learn about natural laxative remedies using aloe vera. Aloe vera can be used as a natural laxative in three forms: liquid, gel, or capsules. Regardless of the form, aloe vera is effective in relieving constipation but should be used in small amounts to avoid side effects.

• Aloe vera extracts come from two parts of the plant: the gel (a thick, transparent substance) and the latex (a yellowish sap near the skin).
• Some aloe vera products are made by grinding the leaves, which results in a mix of both the gel and latex.
• Aloe vera latex can affect the kidneys, so it’s important to use it sparingly. Due to concerns about its negative effects, the U.S. FDA has banned over-the-counter aloe-based laxatives since 2002.

Purchase aloe vera juice, gel, or capsules. Aloe vera juice, pure gel, and capsules are widely available in health food stores or supplement shops. You can mix these products with other juices or teas for added benefits.

• Health food stores typically carry 100% pure aloe vera juice and gel. Specialized stores selling nutritional products also stock these items.
• Supermarkets often have aloe vera juice in their health sections.
• Remember to buy pure aloe vera gel, not the type used for sunburns. The sunburn gel isn’t suitable for ingestion like pure aloe vera gel.
• Aloe vera capsules can cause cramps. However, you can complement them with herbs like turmeric or peppermint tea to minimize side effects.
• You can find aloe vera capsules at pharmacies or health food stores.

Consult a doctor. If your constipation persists for two weeks or longer, it's advisable to visit a doctor. This will help you avoid the risk of intestinal blockage, and the doctor can prescribe an effective, safe laxative treatment for relief.

Avoid constipation. If you’ve overcome constipation and want to prevent it from recurring, it’s crucial to make changes to your diet and exercise habits. These steps will help you avoid constipation in the future.

• Ensure your diet includes plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grain bread or cereals.
• Drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water or other beverages daily.
• Exercise regularly, even simple activities like walking, as they benefit your digestive system.

Prepare Aloe Vera Juice or Gel. Get aloe vera in liquid or gel form to use twice a day as a replacement for pills. This will help relieve constipation after a few days.

• You will need to drink 0.5 liters of aloe vera juice (around 2 cups) every morning and evening before bed.
• The taste of aloe vera juice can be quite strong. If you can tolerate it, drink it as is; if not, try diluting it with some fruit juice.
• If using aloe vera gel, take 2 tablespoons (about 30 ml) daily mixed with your favorite fruit juice.

Take Aloe Vera Pills. If you prefer, you can take aloe vera pills three times a day along with herbs or tea as an alternative to using the juice or gel. This method will also help alleviate constipation after a few days.

• The recommended dose is one 5g pill per serving, three times daily.
• You can also add herbs like turmeric or peppermint tea to reduce any side effects of the aloe vera pills.

Be Cautious When Using Aloe Vera. Aloe vera is not suitable for everyone when it comes to relieving constipation. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain health conditions such as diabetes, hemorrhoids, kidney issues, or intestinal diseases like Crohn's disease, it's best to avoid aloe vera.

• People who are allergic to onions, garlic, or tulip flowers should also refrain from using aloe vera.

Understand the Potential Side Effects of Aloe Vera. While aloe vera is effective for constipation relief, there can be side effects like abdominal pain and stomach cramps. Therefore, it's important to follow the correct dosage and stop use after 5 days.

• Long-term use of aloe vera for constipation can lead to serious health consequences. In addition to stomach cramps, it may cause diarrhea, kidney issues, blood in urine, potassium deficiency, muscle weakness, weight loss, and cardiovascular problems.
• If you prefer not to use aloe vera, try other mild laxative methods such as psyllium fiber, senna leaves, or herbal products derived from these plants available at pharmacies. Both alternatives offer gentle constipation relief.