Aloe Vera juice and Crohn's?

[Elend]

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a well worn topic here but I'm new to this section! A family member has very recently been diagnosed with Crohn's and is due to start on injections shortly that we hope will help. The dedicated Crohn's nurse suggested that they try aloe vera juice as other patients have had success with it helping with symptoms.

I've was out today and got a text asking me to bring some home (holland and barrett, cranberry, thought it might taste nicer) but since I've got in I googled a bit and a lot of opinions online seem to be to avoid it? I don't want to second guess the nurse but at the same time don't want to give my relative something that might make harmful.

I don't know anyone else irl with Crohns so wondered does anyone here have any experience with taking aloe vera juice? If it does bugger all that's fine but I dont want them taking something that will make things worse.

[gobbin]

I would be cautious. I have Crohns and am extremely allergic to aloe vera. It is seemed as a heal-all substance but not for all.

Personally, if your relative has also just started meds for Crohns, I wouldn’t also take something else alongside, firstly because they may interact and secondly they wouldn’t know whether it’s the meds or the aloe vera making the difference (hopefully a positive one!)

[Elend]

Hi gobbin, thanks for your reply. Yeah, that was my thinking too but they are quite keen to try as the nurse has hyped it up a bit! Not really sure there's much solid science behind it either so I'm not convinced myself. I think I'll try and convince them to keep it in the cupboard and see how the injections go first