Aloe Vera During Pregnancy- Is It Safe To Use

Everyone is aware of aloe vera’s beneficial effects, thanks to the media. It can be consumed orally as juice or applied topically as a gel. Since ancient times, people have used the gel that comes from the aloe vera plant to make medicines, soften skin, and treat things like constipation. But how safe is aloe vera during pregnancy? Whether or not it should be eaten by pregnant women is still up for debate. Despite its health benefits, pregnant women must be aware of some of the dangers of aloe vera during pregnancy. 

Benefits Of Aloe Vera During Pregnancy

Aloe vera has a lot of good nutrients and properties, like being anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, moisturizing, healing, and emollient. It is an excellent source of amino acids, vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, E, beta-carotene), minerals, and enzymes. 

Although pregnant women are advised to stay away from aloe vera, the plant does have some useful properties. That means it’s fine to use or consume it on an irregular basis. Moreover, only the amounts endorsed by professionals. Consuming Aloe Vera internally is not recommended, but applying the raw or gel form of the plant topically is likely safe for most people.

Following are some of the benefits of aloe vera during pregnancy.

1. Aloe vera during pregnancy is good for digestive disorders

Digestion problems are a common symptom of pregnancy. Studies show that a glass of aloe vera juice can help with indigestion, constipation, flatulence, and other digestive problems¹. The high concentration of enzymes in aloe juice aids digestion by facilitating the breakdown of dietary fats and sugars.

Another compound in aloe, called aloin, has been shown in studies to have laxative properties and make bowel movements more regular and painless². This makes it great for eliminating gas and bloating, and it can also be used to facilitate bowel movements. So, it can be used as a laxative, but only in very small amounts and under the supervision of a doctor.

Related Reading: 7 Nutritional Benefits Of Kale During Pregnancy And 6 Ways To Eat It

2. May improve immunity

Research shows that Aloe can strengthen our natural immune system³. Aloe can protect the body from a wide range of pathogens because it has strong antimicrobial properties.

Also, one study showed that Aloe vera’s antiviral properties stop viruses from attaching to and getting into new host cells⁴. Because of this, Aloe vera can be used as a drug to prevent seasonal flu.

3. Nutrient booster

Aloe vera is loaded with essential nutrients. Juice extracted from the aloe vera plant can be added to your diet on occasion to boost its nutritional value. You can also use aloe preserves to make juice. Ten minutes of boiling is all that is required to prepare aloe vera preserve.

In order to maintain its biological activity, however, you must cool it to a temperature of at least 5 degrees Celsius afterward. Consume boiled aloe vera during pregnancy only with your doctor’s permission. The plant’s high vitamin and mineral content helps reduce swelling in pregnancy and boosts circulation, both of which are welcome benefits in those tiring final weeks of pregnancy⁴.

4. Aloe may prevent hair loss

Hormonal changes during pregnancy are a common cause of hair loss and itchy scalp. There are many ways in which aloe vera can improve your hair’s health and appearance. Because of its high nutrient content, it can help keep your hair healthy and hydrated.

Aloe vera has been shown to work as a natural treatment for hair loss because it has a lot of enzymes that are good for hair⁵. In this study, it was found that putting aloe vera juice, coconut milk, and wheat germ oil on the scalp helped hair grow back and got rid of problems like dandruff.

Related Reading: 12 Home Remedies To Treat Hair Fall After Delivery

5. Helps to relieve stretch marks

The changes in hormones that happen during pregnancy can make the skin more oily or dry. However, it is possible to restore the skin’s natural equilibrium by using Aloe vera. Pregnancy makes stomach skin stretchy and itchy. For expecting mothers experiencing stretch mark issues, Aloe vera can be a great help.

Aloe vera has a lot of uses in cosmetics, but one of the most important is that it can reduce the look of stretch marks by making more collagen and helping the skin grow back. It is recommended to apply aloe gel to stretch marks to prevent irritation and redness.

Since aloe vera is composed of 99% water as well as amino acids, lipids, sterols, and vitamins, it can be used to hydrate and soften the skin. Applying freeze-dried Aloe extract topically helped treat dry skin, according to a study conducted in Brazil⁶.   

6. Promotes good oral health

Several studies have shown that Aloe vera gel is beneficial for oral health. Aloe vera gel has been shown to be effective in treating gingivitis and periodontitis due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties⁷.

Related Reading: Can Dental Problems Cause Miscarriage?

It’s also common knowledge that using Aloe vera mouthwash can significantly lessen the swelling and pain you feel when you have a toothache or as an added bonus. Aloe’s anti-fungal properties⁸ make it effective in healing oral wounds like ulcers and sores , ulcers, etc.

Is It Safe To Drink Aloe Vera Juice During Pregnancy?

The high amount of vitamins and antioxidants in aloe vera juice makes it a healthy and tasty drink. Vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium are just some of the many vitamins and minerals found in aloe vera juice⁹.

As per the source, there is a lack of research available on aloe gel and juice during pregnancy. Pregnant women should stay away from aloe products, including juice until more is known about their safety¹⁰.

Most of the time, it’s not a good idea to eat aloe while pregnant because it can cause uterine contractions, which can lead to a miscarriage or pre-term birth . Here are some of the common reasons to avoid drinking aloe vera during pregnancy¹¹.

• Overconsumption of aloe vera, which contains latex that can cause an irregular heart rate and an imbalance in blood pressure, can also cause abdominal pains or cramps
• Additionally, the plant is responsible for causing uterine contractions, which can be extremely hazardous for pregnant women

Related Reading: 11 Healthy And Refreshing Juices During Pregnancy To Drink

What Is The Recommended Dosage Of Aloe Vera For Pregnant Women?

Women who are pregnant can safely consume aloe vera, but only if they follow their doctor’s recommendations for dosage and administration. When ingesting aloe vera, a dosage of 0.04 to 0.17 grams is recommended¹².

If the number is much larger than that, there may be immediate repercussions. Even this recommended amount of aloe vera should only be taken dry and under the direction of a doctor. Unless absolutely necessary, pregnant women should avoid consuming aloe vera.

What Are The Risks Associated With Consumption Of Aloe Vera During Pregnancy?

To this point, we have witnessed the numerous positive effects that aloe vera can have on one’s health. Now let’s investigate the potential dangers Aloe Vera may pose during pregnancy:

• Those with delicate skin may experience a burning sensation and irritation.
• Abdominal pain and irritation  
• Aloe vera’s laxative effect causes diarrhea. Also, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance from diarrhea
• Drug interactions with insulin, blood pressure, cholesterol, steroid, and other medications
• Oral ingestion may cause premature uterine contractions in pregnant women

Most women will experience the following immediate and unavoidable side effects from taking aloe vera while pregnant:

• Uneven heart rate
• A drop in or spike in blood pressure

Also,

• Blood sugar levels may not be properly controlled, which is a problem for pregnant women who already have gestational diabetes and drink aloe vera juice. Since the juice lowers blood glucose, it may counteract the effects of insulin and cause hypoglycemia¹³
• If you’re experiencing abdominal distress, nausea, or vomiting, don’t ingest any aloe gel. Because it’s a laxative, it has the potential to exacerbate your condition¹⁴
• Allergic reactions to aloe are extremely unusual. However, aloe vera allergies are common among those who are sensitive to plants in the lily family, the Liliaceae which includes lilies, hyacinths, tulips, onions, and garlic
• Breathing problems, swelling, rashes, and chest and throat tightness are all potential symptoms of an allergic reaction. An aloe-induced allergic reaction is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment

Safety Tips For Using Aloe Vera During Pregnancy

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while using aloe vera during pregnancy.

• Take note of any sensitivities or adverse reactions you may have to aloe after consuming it.
• If you have an allergy to garlic, onions, or tulips, you should avoid using aloe
• While it rarely causes any adverse reactions, aloe vera should never be used on serious burns or cuts
• Always opt for fresh aloe vera during pregnancy. When refrigerated, freshly extracted aloe vera gel retains its potency for up to 10 days. The fresh gel can be diced into bite-sized pieces or left in larger chunks for storage

Conclusion

According to our Nutritionist, Sushree, while Aloe Vera offers various benefits for skin and general health, its use during pregnancy remains controversial due to potential risks like uterine stimulation as it contains anthraquinones, a compound with laxative properties that may stimulate uterine contractions that is potentially harmful during pregnancy. It may also cause pregnancy discomforts like gastrointestinal disturbances or skin irritation. As there is limited research it is better to avoid its consumption.

Therefore, it is advised that women who regularly consume Aloe Vera juice/ products wait until after delivery for the sake of both the mother’s and the unborn child’s health and safety.

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