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Aloe vera has been a popular component in several skincare and home remedies. However, you may be concerned about the safety of taking aloe vera during pregnancy. It is crucial to weigh the potential benefits against the risks associated with aloe vera consumption during this sensitive period. Many pregnant women seek natural alternatives to manage common ailments, but understanding the safety profile of these remedies is essential.
Aloe vera consumption is as popular as its topical use. Latex is the sticky residue behind the aloe leaf’s crust, and it’s valued for its richness in nutrients and fiber content. However, while it provides several health advantages, if consumed in excess or without being properly processed, it might cause negative effects.
This post discusses the safety profile of aloe vera in a pregnancy diet, how to eat it, and any potential negative effects.
Is It Safe To Drink Aloe Vera Juice During Pregnancy?
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Although aloe vera juice is considered one of the healthiest drinks, it is not always a safe addition to your prenatal care. The laxative nature of aloin, also called anthraquinone, the latex in aloe vera, is known to cause uterine contractionsiPeriodic tightening and relaxing of uterine muscles before delivery. and electrolyte imbalanceiWhen there are too much or too few minerals in the body. in the intestines. Hannah Whittaker, a UK-based pediatric and pregnancy dietitian, says, “I wouldn’t advise my clients to take aloe vera juice during pregnancy to support relieving constipation, due to its link with increased risk of uterine contraction, which may cause miscarriage.”
It could, therefore, be dangerous for both maternal and fetal development if not taken with caution (1). So talk to your doctor for the right dosage and method of consuming aloe vera when you are pregnant (2).
What Is The Recommended Dosage Of Aloe Vera For Pregnant Women?
Usually, 0.04 – 0.17 grams of dried aloe vera is recommended for relieving constipation in pregnant women. However, there is no scientific backing for this. Therefore, consult your doctor to know whether or not you can take aloe vera. The doctor might weigh the benefits vis-a-vis the side effects before approving it.
What Are The Benefits Of Aloe Vera While Pregnant?
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Consuming aloe vera either in gel form or as juice is a natural medicine that offers the following wellness benefits during pregnancy, provided you exercise caution.
- Aloe vera is rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for both the mother and the baby (3).
- It is one of the most effective organic remedies that soothe the gut and mitigates morning sickness during early pregnancy (4).
- Aloe vera helps dilate the blood capillariesiSmall blood vessels through which oxygen and nutrients pass from the blood into tissues, and waste products pass from tissues into the blood. to promote healthy blood circulation, which is essential to support the growth of the mother and fetus (5).
- It calms the inflamed tissues of the gastrointestinal tract, and the laxative eases bowel movements (6).
CautionNote that not all pregnant women may benefit from aloe vera consumption.
Several bioactive compounds in the aloe vera plant play an important role in providing these health benefits. The graph below shows the general classes of intrinsic compounds present in aloe vera plants, despite tremendous differences in cultivars, geographic location, harvesting season, agricultural practices, and specific processing methods. Nevertheless, the percentage of these compounds may significantly vary by dry weight.
Major constituents present in the Aloe vera
Source: Aloe vera at the frontier of glycobiology and integrative medicine: Health implications of an ancient plant; SAGE Open MedicineWhat Are The Risks Associated With The Consumption Of Aloe Vera During Pregnancy?
The risks associated with overconsumption of aloe vera are (7):
- Latex is known to raise the risk of uterine contractions, thereby increasing the risk of miscarriage. It is also known to cause fetal birth defectsiInternal or external abnormality a baby is born with. .
- Overconsumption of aloe vera juice also increases the risk of constipation, as prolonged use of laxatives weakens the bowel muscles, further causing constipation.
- It brings down the levels of electrolytes, primarily potassium, which can be harmful during pregnancy. It could lead to muscle weakness and unusual heart rhythms.
Image: IStock
- Might cause allergic reactions if you are allergic to plants of the Liliaceae family. The symptoms of allergies include itchy skin, swollen skin and rash, and chest tightness.
Point to considerConsidering the risks, it is advisable to restrict it to topical use and avoid oral consumption. Additionally, while some risks are well-documented, it is equally important to consult with a healthcare provider to understand personal health conditions that may affect the safety of aloe vera consumption. Individual responses to aloe vera can vary, making professional guidance vital.
What Are Some Tips For Buying And Storing Aloe Vera?
These tips will help you purchase the right product from a store:
- Choose high-quality products from the several available brands and products the FDA approves.
- Some aloe vera products can remain suitable for two years or more. If a product is nearing expiry, do not buy it.
- Some products contain preservatives or additives, which may harm pregnancy. Carefully check the ingredients and packaging before purchasing the product.
Store the product in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place. You could also follow the storage directions given on the pack. If you use fresh aloe vera from your garden, use it immediately after extraction.
Next, we cover a few commonly raised queries about aloe vera and pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does aloe vera induce labor?
Aloe vera is likely to induce labor if taken in excess amounts as it causes uterine contractions.
2. Is aloe vera safe to use on the skin during pregnancy?
Yes, aloe vera has natural moisturizing properties that keep the skin soft, supple, and hydrated (8). It is also anti-inflammatory with natural sunscreen properties. It keeps the skin tone even and works well for those experiencing skin darkening during pregnancy (9).
3. Is aloe vera good for stretch marks during pregnancy?
There is little evidence of aloe vera acting as a stretch mark remedy. Since pure aloe vera is known to possess natural skin-softening properties (10), it could be tried for stretch marks.
4. Can aloe vera help in getting pregnant?
Whittaker opines, “There is no evidence that I am aware of to say that aloe vera can support getting pregnant; however, it is packed with vitamins and minerals and can support immune function due to its antioxidant properties. You may consume it outside of pregnancy in moderation if required.”
5. What are some pregnancy-safe alternatives to aloe vera?
Alternatives to aloe vera include oatmeal or coconut oil for skin hydration and ginger for morning sickness relief. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
6. Can aloe vera be used to treat acne during pregnancy?
Aloe vera may help treat acne during pregnancy. The hydration provided by aloe vera juice increases skin moisturization, reducing the risk of developing acne (11).
7. Can aloe vera be used to treat heartburn during pregnancy?
The use of aloe vera for treating heartburn during pregnancy may be beneficial. Research suggests that aloe vera juice may mitigate the acidity in the stomach, reducing the risk of heartburn (12). However, speak to a doctor before consuming aloe vera juice during pregnancy.
8. Can aloe vera be used to treat gestational diabetes during pregnancy?
Aloe vera has been utilized in traditional medicine to address diabetes, but there is insufficient evidence to consider it an acceptable cure or management food for diabetes.
Despite its popularity as a topical treatment, consuming aloe vera during pregnancy might have its own risk. It might cause uterine contractions and electrolyte imbalances in the intestines, which can be hazardous for both the mother and the baby, so aloe vera should be avoided or eaten in moderation. However, your doctor may sometimes suggest aloe vera juice or gel as maternity supplements, for some medical conditions, soothing the gut, reducing morning sickness during early pregnancy, or dilating blood capillaries to improve blood circulation. If you experience any contraindications, stop using the supplements immediately.
Infographic: Benefits And Risks Of Aloe Vera During Pregnancy
Aloe vera is known to work wonders for the skin. But is it safe to be consumed, especially by pregnant women? We help you answer the question with the following infographic. Here, we have a tabular representation of the pros and cons of aloe vera consumption during pregnancy. Read on! Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Even after having multiple health benefits, it is always better to take suggestions from a doctor to consume aloe vera during pregnancy.
- Aloe vera can provide vitamins, soothe the gut, and ease bowel movements during pregnancy.
- Overconsumption of aloe vera during pregnancy can pose risks such as uterine contractions, birth defects, constipation, and allergies.
- Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before consuming aloe vera in any form.
- Topical use of aloe vera on the skin is considered safe during pregnancy, but it should be applied in small quantities.
Illustration: Should You Avoid Aloe Vera During Pregnancy?
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
References
1. Amar Surjushe et al.; Aloe Vera: A Short Review; Indian J Dermatol (2008)
2. Poulson & Wilkins; Aloe; UC San Diego Health (2016)
3. Dr. B. NirmalaKumari & Dr. M. Sharmila; Aloe vera its medicinal uses: A review; International Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2015)
4. Stefan Kasian; Aloe Vera: Skin and Digestive Soother; Bastyr University
5. T. Reynolds & A.C. Dweck; Aloe vera leaf gel: a review update; Journal of Ethnopharmacology (1999)
6. K. P. Sampath Kumar et al.; Aloe vera : A Potential Herb and its Medicinal Importance; Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research (2010)
7. Brandi Stone; Aloe Vera Plant Study; Healing Gardens
8. Jeannette Sanchez; Using Aloe Vera has multiple benefits; Baylor College of Medicine (2018)
9. Ali SA et al.; On the novel action of melanolysis by a leaf extract of Aloe vera and its active ingredient aloin, potent skin depigmenting agents; Planta Med. (2012)
10. Poulson & Wilkins; Aloe; University of Rochester Medical Center
11. The Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice; Cleveland Clinic
12. Yunes Panahi et al.; Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera syrup for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a pilot randomized positive-controlled trial; Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2015)
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Read full bio of Dr. Shikha Sharma
Hannah Whittaker is an expert pregnancy and pediatric dietitian with nearly 20 years of experience, the last 7 years as a registered dietitian. She manages her private practice Bump2baby Nutrition in the UK, having done her graduation in community nutrition and dietetics from Liverpool John Moores University & University of Chester respectively.
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