Reivew paper: The use of aloe vera in ulcerative colitis

Abstract

In the UK, the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) for the management of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms appears to be increasingly widespread. Many different modalities of CAM claim to offer relief from unpleasant GI symptoms, including those which are associated with infammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite limited evidence of their safety and effectiveness in gastroenterology, the use of herbal preparations is one of the most commonly used CAM modalities. This clinical skills paper critically examines the role of oral aloe vera gel in ulcerative colitis. Specific attention is given to safety issues associated with the use of this herbal preparation in clinical practice.