Soothe the Burn of GERD with Aloe Vera

You’ve probably heard of as many “cures” for GERD in Albany or Macon as there are stars in the sky, but when it comes to treating burning of any kind, few things are as highly regarded as aloe vera. Though you may have used the gel of this cactus-like plant to ease the pain of a sunburn, the healing attributes of aloe can also have big benefits for your digestive system if you suffer from intermittent mild heartburn.

How can Aloe Vera Help Acid Reflux?

Aloe is packed with numerous beneficial nutrients, including amino acids, vitamins, minerals and polysaccharides. This makes it valuable to the immune system and the health of your whole body, but also gives it a variety of positive digestive effects that may help you find relief from acid reflux:

• It can serve as a mild laxative.
• It can improve your body’s ability to absorb protein.
• It can help the intestines function better by toning their muscles.
• It can balance gastric pH by reducing the secretion of hydrochloric acid.
• It can coat the esophagus to help heal erosions in esophageal tissue.

We talk most about what not to eat when it comes to controlling GERD, but aloe vera’s incredible attributes can make it a valuable addition to your anti-reflux diet. Still, it’s important to remember that aloe’s benefits have limits—you should only use it as a complement to your other treatments, and only after you’ve asked your GERD surgeon if it will be a smart choice for you.

Using Aloe Vera for GERD

Because of aloe vera’s laxative effects, some people may experience diarrhea after ingesting the plant. For this reason, it’s important to introduce aloe vera slowly and move up to a larger dosage as your body becomes used to it. Pay close attention to how aloe affects you and stop using it if diarrhea persists.
If your doctor gives you the go-ahead to try aloe, you can find the plant in one of two forms:

• Supplements. Aloe vera can be found in latex tablets, which can be a convenient way to add the plant to your daily diet.
• Aloe vera juice. The gel from aloe vera leaves can be made into a beverage. Some find aloe vera juice refreshing, but others may not enjoy the flavor on its own. If you find yourself in the latter group, try mixing aloe vera juice with apple juice or another non-acidic fruit juice.

Has aloe vera helped you overcome the symptoms of GERD in Albany or Macon? Tell us about your experiences with aloe vera in the comments below!