Aloe Vera for Gastritis and Ulcer: Efficacy and uses

Have you been feeling sick lately after eating some spicy and mouth-watering foods?

The pain and bloating in your stomach might be the indication of a severe medical condition: gastritis.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the delicate lining of the stomach wall.

Traditionally doctors prescribe antacid and antibiotic (in case of H. Pylori bacteria) drugs to fight the infection and lower the stomach acid caused by gastritis. But there is a massive backlash of side effects from such drugs. [2]

Medical researchers suggest that using aloe vera may manage the gastritis symptoms naturally without posing any health risk. [3]

In this article, you’ll learn all about the efficacy of using aloe vera gel as a home remedy for gastritis inflammations and symptoms.

Using Aloe Vera for Gastritis & Ulcer : What the Research Says?

Aloe vera is a “wonder plant.” This short-stemmed succulent shrub is one of the 500 other species of the Aloe genus. Many aloes are native to North Africa. The earliest medicinal use of aloe vera is found in an Egyptian Medical record that dates back 16th century B.C. [3]

In the ancient Egypt people used to call aloe vera as ‘the plant of immortality.’

The erect and succulent leaves are full of crystal and thick gel. The important therapeutic benefits of aloe vera come from this aloe gel.

Much of scientific studies in the recent times claim the extraordinary medicinal values of aloe vera gel.

The worldwide popularity of the shrub is due to the therapeutic benefits of aloe gel for some health problems.

Aloe vera has extensive use in food items, cosmetics, herbal supplements, etc. for medicinal purposes you can either use fresh aloe vera gel directly obtained from the leaves or buy the gel supplements at the medical stores.

The chemical compounds of aloe vera are especially useful for relieving gastritis symptoms. Aloe vera is made up of 99% water content. The remaining 1% includes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, essential fatty acids, salicylic acid, sterols, glycoproteins, etc. [4]

When you are treating gastritis problem, all you are doing is relieving its symptoms. Doctors recommend consuming light and liquid diet to soothe the inflamed stomach lining. It is also advised that you avoid all sorts of spicy foods and alcohol consumption.

According to some research, the glycoprotein called actin and sterol in the aloe vera gel can reduce the inflammations and wounds in the stomach wall.

The potent anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera can fight off H.pylori bacteria as well. This bacterial infection is one of the primary reasons for developing gastritis. In a study, 200 mg. of aloe gel was administered to a group of H.pylori affected rats twice daily. The gel showed the significant result in reducing the infection. [5]

Since aloe vera is alkaline in nature it can balance the acidity or pH level in the stomach.

Apart from gastritis aloe vera is an excellent home remedy for diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other stomach disorders. [4]

How to Use Aloe Vera for Gastritis and Ulcer

You can reap the therapeutic benefits of aloe vera for gastritis symptoms in some ways. Here are the most effective aloe vera home remedies for gastritis problems. [6]

1. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is in itself an excellent remedy for gastritis. You do not need any additional ingredients to add to the gel for the proposed treatment. Here’s how you should go about with this method. [7]

What You’ll Need:

2 freshly cut mature aloe vera leaves

Recommended Directions:

Slice the leaves in two and scoop out the fresh gel using a spoon.
Consume the gel before meals or early in the morning on an empty stomach.

2. Fresh Aloe Vera Juice

You can consume freshly prepared aloe vera juice thrice daily before the meals. The drinking aloe vera juice first thing in the morning can help you relieve constipation. The treatment can provide quick relief from the gastritis symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloat, and acid reflux.

What You’ll Need:

2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel
1 glass of drinking water

Recommended Directions:

Blend aloe vera gel and water into a soothing juice.
Drink early in the morning or before every meal.

3. Aloe Vera with Honey

This method is perhaps the most famous and effective natural remedy for gastritis patients. Aloe vera and honey makes a potent treatment for chronic gastritis symptoms. [8]

Honey is a superfood. It is rich in natural sugar such as glucose, fructose, and essential nutrients that readily get absorbed in the intestines. Moreover, honey is antimicrobial and can battle the bacterial infection responsible for gastritis. [9]

What You’ll Need:

1/4 cup of aloe vera gel
2 tablespoons of raw honey
2 cups of water

Recommended Directions:

Blend aloe vera gel and water thoroughly in a mixer.
Pour the juice into a glass.
Now add honey to the juice and mix well.
Sip the medicinal juice twice daily for healthy gut health.

What Causes Gastritis?

Stomach lining or gastric mucosa protect the stomach from gastric juices and harmful toxins that may enter the stomach with foods and drinks.

However, some reasons such as bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori), anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin), bile reflux, stress, alcohol consumption, etc. can irritate and damage this protective lining in the stomach wall. [1]

In the long run, the inflammation of the lining may turn into gastric or stomach ulcers. Gastritis can be chronic or acute in form. [2]

When to See a Doctor

Visit a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment if you detect the following signs of gastritis: feeling bloated and full, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting (blood), stomach upset, indigestion, acid reflux, black stools, etc. [1]

A health professional can prescribe you the best over-the-counter medications to relieve severe gastritis symptoms.

Bottom Line

Aloe vera has detoxifying activities in the body to wash out the toxins accumulated in the gut. Moreover, the mucilage in aloe vera gel can restore the damaged tissues in the stomach walls.

It is also vital that you maintain a healthy diet and disciplined lifestyle to curb gastritis symptoms. You should drink plenty of water, keep a check on stress level and never skip your meals.