Aloe Vera

[michiganmom]

We all know how good it is for our burns but i heard that if you drink so much a day it will cure stomach problems (heart burn, upset stomach, ect.). Is their any truth to this? Have any of You heard of this or tryed it?
Thanks
Michiganmom

[Anon001]

Michiganmom,

They used to also use it as a laxative...... So, if you try it for stomach problems let me know how it goes! LOL

I was one of those unfortunate kids whose mother would peel a leaf and make him eat the gel from it... ugh! It was nasty!!!
Paul

[michiganmom]

I will let you know how it works when i try it but i dont think i will try just eating the leaf LOL. I was thinking more along the lines of throwing it in the food processor with fruit and making a fruit drink.

[Anon001]

oh gag! lol If you do, be sure to skin the leaves and just use the gel inside the leaves.

[michiganmom]

Thanks for the info Paul. I will be sure to do that. LOL

[Anon001]

Hey Mom.... if it works for heart burn, let me know and I will try it.... but, I guess I need to buy a plant first.... I have a terrible time with heartburn and am always looking for something natural that would work and be cheap.

[bookwormom]

it is one of the bitter herbs in one of my liver cleanse recipies. chew the peel and you see. otherwise,it is interesting but for me too much trouble. for stomach upset drink some peppermint tea. baking soda is great. avoid food that causes stomach upsets and heart burn. for stomach ulcers fresh cabbage juice is good and is cheap and simple. I have a bunch of Aloe growing in several pots, I use it for light burns,sunburn, etc.

[CarolAnn]

I knew a guy who bought the liquid gel to drink for a stomach ulcer. He said it worked, but ick, the stuff tastes like cucumber (not bad in a salad, but as a drink, it's a little weird!) So I would guess for general stomach problems, it's probably helpful as well.

Aloe Vera is truly a healing plant - one reason it's so good on any kind of burn is that it stimulates fresh skin cell growth. The fresh gel - inner pulp - slapped on a sunburn is almost instant relief.

They're right about peel all the colored part off, too - that part seems to be bitter and a bit caustic and the spiny leaf edges are pokey!

[michiganmom]

I had to go back to my doctor because i have too many health problems and we talked about the aloe and he said it is good but not for me because i have a nervous bowel and aleo will cause you to have the diarea. I am going to try to find some thing that will agree with me. I hope to find all natural for all of my problems that will work and get rid of all of my meds. My doc. has told me about an all natural store that i should check out. I will try to keep You all posted to what i find but it might take me a bit of time.
michiganmom

[Anon001]

Michiganmom, I was wondering about the "bowel" affects. I know as a kid my mother made me eat it quite often to make me "go". I was hoping you would have a good answer. I have stomach trouble too, and was hoping the aloe would work. But, I do at times have intestinal trouble and I guess it wouldn't be good for me based on your doctor's advice. I hope you find something natural that works.

[sissy]

Hi Michiganmom,
For stomach discomfort do research on Anise, Dong Quai, Fennel, Fenugreek Papaya, Peppermint. For stomach Inflammation research Calendula & slippery elm. Milk thistle is great for your liver & will help detox. Also do research on dandelion & slippery elm, Fennen Papaya, for constipation
Hope this will help get you started in your search.
Sissy

[jonvee]

I would also research Flax Seed. A nutritionist friend swears by it for IBS. Maybe it would work for the nervous bowel. You buy the Flax Seed whole and grind it in a coffee bean grinder then sprinkle it on salads, bake into bread, mix with oatmeal, put in a smoothie,etc. Any way to get it down.

As for the Aloe, you can buy juice from a health food store. It is kinda thick with a sharp taste.Very wierd stuff.

[Anon001]

I would also research Flax Seed. A nutritionist friend swears by it for IBS. Maybe it would work for the nervous bowel. You buy the Flax Seed whole and grind it in a coffee bean grinder then sprinkle it on salads, bake into bread, mix with oatmeal, put in a smoothie,etc. Any way to get it down. *

As for the Aloe, you can buy juice from a health food store. It is kinda thick with a sharp taste.Very wierd stuff.
I use flax seed. It is good and gives an "earthy nutty" taste to foods. I put in in mashed potatoes, on baked potatoes, meats, in breads, etc.

One point... it can be costly at the health food or organic stores. But, I always by it by the 50 lb bag at the coop. I first started doing that when I worked for the coop. It is much cheaper. I have a friend that feeds it to horses so now we split the 50 pound bag. Also, you only grind it within a couple days prior to use. It will only last a few days before it goes rancid if ground. However, it will keep much longer whole. Another point is that animals can benefit from the whole seed, but our digestive systems cannot digest the hull.. so for humans to get benefit, it must be ground.

[michiganmom]

Thanks every one. I have eaten flax seed before and liked it but did not know it needed to be ground. What does it do for the horses?I am guessing to keep them cleaned out?
Thanks michiganmom

[Anon001]

Michiganmom,

When used for horses it is used to keep their skin from drying out. Once in awhile if a horse has a bad problem with dry skin or allergies (laugh), just a little bit of flax seed each day puts enough oil in their skin to eliminate their problems.

[dearg]

Sure glad I read this thread, I have IBS too. I am going to get some flax seed and give it a try, not much the doc has given me has helped any. ;D

[backlash]

Hey Mom.... if it works for heart burn, let me know and I will try it.... but, I guess I need to buy a plant first.... *I have a terrible time with heartburn and am always looking for something natural that would work and be cheap.

Have you tried baking soda?
A teaspoon in half a glass of water stops my heart burn almost instantly.
AC

[Anon001]

oh yeah. that is what I use. But, Aloe Vera has so many uses, I would try it too.