Aloe vera is a plant that has been used for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. Recently, I decided to give it a try to see if it would reduce my allergies and aid my digestion. The plant is reported to provide relief from allergies and hay fever, and improve digestion, among its many health benefits.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that is part of the lily family, as are onions and garlic. Some parts of the plant are used for internal use and others for external use. I purchased pure fractionally distilled aloe vera juice for internal consumption.

How does aloe vera help with allergies?

Aloe vera may help allergy sufferers by improving the digestive system and boosting immunity. Most of one�s immunity is found in the digestive tract. Aloe vera improves the health of the digestive system by strengthening the lining of the digestive tract and reducing inflammation.

Aloe contains anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties that aid the immune system to cleanse the body of toxins and pathogens, according to research published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health.

Did I get any benefit?

I have been drinking aloe for about 2 � weeks. The drink, which has no taste just like water, does seem to have helped my digestion. However, it may be too soon to draw any conclusions.

The area where I live has been under siege with wildfires which means the air has been filled with smoke and other irritants. With these conditions, I can only rate my allergies as awful. However, my allergies may have been even worse without the aloe but I am not sure. I will update this article in the future if I obtain notable relief.

What are some of the other benefits of aloe?

�Aloe vera is high in vitamins and minerals, including A,C, E, folic acid and many B vitamins. The liquid form contains small amounts of vitamin A and C, calcium and iron.

�Aloe is great for the skin. It is heavily used by the cosmetic industry in skin products.

Are there side effects?

Drinking aloe vera may result in diarrhea. It is recommended that you consult your doctor or nutritionist before adding aloe to your health regimen.