BBC News | HEALTH | Aloe vera cuts ulcer risk
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BBC News Online: Health
Thursday, 21 March, 2002, 01:14 GMT
Aloe vera cuts ulcer risk
Aloe vera is a well-known painkiller
A gel made from the herb aloe vera may help to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal
ulcers.
A team from the Barts and London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry have
carried out tests which show that the herb has a beneficial effect on the production of
substances which help boost the healing process in cases of ulceration in the gut.
The researchers believe aloe vera could be particularly valuable in treating ulcers caused as a
side effect of taking anti-inflammatory NSAID drugs.
The aloe vera gel was tested on a culture of gastric cells at a concentration that is likely to be
found in the stomach after swallowing a dose.
Aloe has been recognised as a painkiller, and since ancient times it has been used to treat
burns.
It has also been used to treat other skin conditions such as scrapes, sunburns and insect bites.
Aloe is also a common ingredient in cosmetics and lotions because it naturally balances the
pH of the skin.
Internally, it has been used as a mild laxative. There is also some evidence to suggest that it
might enhance the functioning of the immune system.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/health/1883718.stm
8/12/2006
BBC News | HEALTH | Aloe vera cuts ulcer risk
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Irritable bowels
Researchers at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, are conducting trials to establish whether aloe
vera is an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gastroenterologist Professor John Williams told BBC News Online: "IBS the most common
condition we see and the most difficult to treat.
"It is entirely benign, but extremely troublesome for people who have it.
"We have some anecdotal evidence that aloe vera may help, but we need to know if this is
genuine effect, or simply linked to the fact that the condition improves and then relapses."
Results on the IBS trial, in which approximately 250 people will take part, will not be known for
two years.
The research was presented at a meeting of the British Society of Gastroenterology.
Related to this story:
Rise in stomach ulcer bleeding (17 Mar 02 | Health) Herbal 'heartburn' treatment (19 Aug
01 | Health) Ulcers (20 Jan 99 | Medical notes)
Internet links: Aloe Vera Studies Organization | Britsh Society for Gastroenterology |
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