This article was co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Acid reflux is an irritating condition where stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, leaving a painful feeling in your chest. You may get acid reflux from smoking, overeating, getting stressed, or eating certain foods. While acid reflux can make you feel uncomfortable, drinking aloe juice can help soothe your pain due to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. As long as you incorporate aloe juice into your daily diet, you should start feeling relief within a few days. Just be sure to talk to your doctor before taking aloe and if you feel any severe symptoms or side effects.
Steps
Taking Aloe Orally
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1Choose aloe vera juice that doesn’t contain aloin or aloe latex. Check online, at pharmacies, or at health-food stores for an organic aloe juice so it’s the best quality. Look on the label to ensure that the juice says it’s for oral use rather than applied topically. Read the ingredients to make sure the juice doesn’t contain any aloin, aloe latex, or artificial preservatives. Search for phrases like “latex-free” or “aloin-free” on the packaging to ensure the juice is safe to consume.[1]
- You can buy aloe juice online or from your local drugstore.
- Avoid packages that say “whole leaf” since they may also contain aloe latex or aloin.
Warning: Aloe latex and aloin may lead to kidney damage or cancer. Even if you take 1 gram (0.035 oz) of aloe latex each day, it could be fatal.[2]
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2Drink 10 ml (2.0 tsp) of your aloe juice each day. Take the aloe juice in the morning about 20 minutes before you eat. Keep taking the aloe every day to reduce your symptoms of acid reflux. You should start feeling relief within a few days, but it may take you up to 2 weeks to feel its effects.[3]
- Aloe juice can have a bitter flavor. Try diluting it in a glass of water if you want to mask the flavor.
- Store the aloe juice in the refrigerator after you open it. After 2 weeks, throw away any that you haven’t used.[4]
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3Stop taking aloe if you feel stomach cramps or have diarrhea. Although some people don’t get them, aloe may have these side effects. If you have an upset stomach or unexplained diarrhea, stop taking aloe for a few days to see if you feel better. If you do, aloe was causing you pain. However, if you still feel symptoms, see a doctor.[5]
- Aloe can act as a laxative, so be careful not to take more than a single dose.
When to Seek Medical Care
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1See your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve after 2 weeks. Your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history to make a diagnosis. If they think you have a more serious condition, they may do diagnostic tests, as well. Similarly, you should also see your doctor if you have the following symptoms along with your acid reflux:[6]
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Painful swallowing
- Reduced appetite resulting in weight loss
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2Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant and have acid reflux. It’s normal to experience acid reflux during pregnancy, so you’re not alone. Fortunately, your doctor can help you choose the best treatment. Let them know that you’re experiencing heartburn and how often it occurs. Track the foods or activities that may be contributing to your acid reflux so you can find relief.[7]
- Don’t use any treatments, including aloe vera, without first checking with your doctor.
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3Get urgent care for chest pain or pressure with pain in your arm or jaw. While it’s most likely you’re safe, arm and jaw pain can also be signs of a minor heart attack. Contact your doctor and explain your symptoms to see if they recommend seeking emergency care.[8]
- Try not to panic because these symptoms may be caused by several conditions. Only a doctor can diagnose what’s causing yours. Then, they’ll offer you treatment.
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4Ask your doctor if a prescription treatment is right for you. If you’ve already tried over-the-counter or natural treatments but haven’t found relief, your doctor may decide to put you on prescription medication. Your doctor may prescribe an H2 blocker or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce your stomach acid production and help your esophagus heal. Take your medicine exactly as directed by your doctor.[9]
- You can find H2 blockers and PPIs over-the-counter, as well. If you’ve already tried these and they didn’t work, a prescription medication may help.
- Talk to your doctor about potential side effects, such as poor nutrient absorption. They can advise you on how to avoid problems due to side effects.
- In rare cases, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure called fundoplication. During this procedure, your doctor will tighten your lower esophageal sphincter to help prevent acid from escaping.
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5Ask your doctor about starting a GERD diet. If you still feel acid reflux and nothing else has worked, see if your doctor recommends a diet to alleviate your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. If they do, switch to smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day rather than eating large amounts of food. Try to limit the number of fatty, spicy, or fried foods you eat, as well as chocolate, garlic, onions, citrus, and alcohol.[10]
- Keep a record of the foods you eat so you can track what foods trigger your acid reflux.
Warnings
References
- ↑ https://healthcenter.ucsc.edu/pharmacy/references/aloe-vera-juice.pdf
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-aloe/art-20362267
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26742306
- ↑ https://healthcenter.ucsc.edu/pharmacy/references/aloe-vera-juice.pdf
- ↑ https://nccih.nih.gov/health/aloevera
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20373223
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa130363
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20373223
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20361959
About This Article
You can treat acid reflux by drinking aloe vera gel or juice before meals. You’ll want to drink about 2 fluid ounces of aloe vera gel or juice 20 minutes before you eat. Aloe vera can be quite strong on its own, so if you don’t like the flavor, dilute it with water or herbal tea. Alternatively, you can take 1 or 2 aloe vera gel capsules before meals, although these haven’t been studied specifically for acid reflux treatment. Keep in mind that taking aloe vera can give you side effects like diarrhea, stomach cramps, and skin rashes. If your symptoms don’t improve after 2 weeks of taking aloe vera, visit your doctor so they can work out if something else is causing your acid reflux. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to treat acid reflux with other methods, read on!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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