Aloe Vera for GERD Symptoms with Hiatal Hernia

ByMark Larkin

Introduction

A hiatal hernia is a condition in which a small part of the stomach bulges through a hole in your diaphragm.1 The hole is an anatomically correct opening that connects the esophagus to the stomach.1 Typically, weak supportive tissues and increases in abdominal pressure cause an increased risk of getting a hiatal hernia.1 This hernia can cause an increased risk of developing acid reflux and even a chronic form of acid reflux known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).1  Aloe vera can be used to alleviate symptoms of GERD.2 Aloe vera is a cactus-like plant that is grown in hot desert-like climates.2 The plant is typically used to promote wound healing when used topically on the skin.2 When taken orally it is used to alleviate gut inflammatory conditions.2 A variety of studies have been done to investigate aloe vera as a dietary supplement.2 In this letter we will investigate whether aloe vera can be appropriate for use in patients experiencing GERD symptoms that can be applied to patients with a hiatal hernia.     

What is GERD? 

Not to be confused with heartburn, which is a common symptom of acid reflux that people experience from time to time on occasion.3 GERD is a condition in which contents of your stomach moves into the esophagus.3 If these symptoms are experienced more than twice a week, then that can be classified as GERD.3 GERD can effect about 20% of people in the United States according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).3 If left untreated GERD can cause some serious complications.3 Common symptoms of GERD include burning in the chest area, trouble swallowing, sour taste in the mouth, and even breathing problems.3 Serious complications of GERD include esophagitis, esophageal stricture, asthma, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.3 The part of your esophagus known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is responsible for relaxing and opening when swallowing and tightening and closing afterwards.3 If the LES does not tighten or close correctly, then contents of your stomach can rise into the esophagus which is known as GERD.3 Risk factors for GERD include obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, and connective tissue disorders.3 Lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, consuming large meals, lying down after eating, consuming spicy foods, drinking soda, coffee or alcohol, and using certain anti-inflammatory pain medications can increase your risk of developing GERD.3 Foods such as high-fat foods, spicy foods, chocolate, pineapple, tomato, onion, garlic, mint, and citrus fruits can also trigger symptoms of GERD.3 Some treatment options for GERD include OTC products such as antacids, H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.3 Prescription products include higher strength H2RA’s and PPI’s that can be prescribed if symptoms are not alleviated with OTC products.3 GERD can be treated by many medications, but there are some studies out there demonstrating natural hernia remedies such as aloe vera supplementation and its possible role in GERD management.3  

How does aloe vera help with GERD?

Aloe vera syrup has been tested for the efficacy and safety for treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease.4 In a pilot randomized positive-controlled trial aloe vera was compared to omeprazole and ranitidine.4 79 subjects were given either aloe vera syrup (5mg polysaccharide per ml of syrup at a dose of 10mL/d), omeprazole capsule (20g/d) or ranitidine (150mg in a fasted state in the AM and 150mg 30min before sleep at night) for a period of 4 weeks.4 Eight main symptoms of GERD including heartburn, food regurgitation, flatulence, belching, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and acid regurgitation were assessed at weeks 2 and 4 of the trial.4 The results proved aloe vera was just as good as the prescription drugs omeprazole and ranitidine.4 Aloe vera reduced the frequency of all eight GERD symptoms and was safe and well tolerated with no adverse events causing withdrawal in a subject.4 The study concluded that aloe vera can be a safe and effective treatment in reducing symptoms of GERD.4 

How do you take aloe vera?

Aloe vera can be taken in a variety of ways, including topically and orally. Topical aloe vera is typically used for burns or itching symptom relief. The oral formulation such as aloe vera juice can be used to treat symptoms such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is due to the soothing effect aloe vera has, like when it is used topically to treat burns. Aloe vera juice comes from the inner lining of the aloe vera plant’s leaves. Benefits of aloe vera juice are its anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin, mineral and amino acid contents which is said to detoxify the body and boost digestion and eliminate waste. In a 2015 study, researchers found that aloe vera juice effectively reduced the symptoms of acid reflux without any reported side effects. These researchers concluded that aloe vera may work by acting like an anti-inflammatory agent and reducing acid production.

Safety of aloe vera

Aloe vera is generally safe and well tolerated as it is from an aloe vera plant and most patients have little to no adverse reactions from using it topically or orally.5 Aloe vera may have the potential to interact with certain medications such as ones for diabetes that may lead to hypoglycemia.5 Individuals taking aloe vera should have a discussion with their doctor prior to starting therapy.5 Certain forms of aloe vera juice can cause side effects like diarrhea.5 If taking laxatives, diuretics aloe vera should not be taken at the same time.5 Women that are pregnant should not be taking oral aloe vera juice as it may induce miscarriage.5   

Conclusion

Aloe vera is one of the many natural remedies that can be used for GERD that can be used to assist patients in symptom relief.1,3 If you are planning on using aloe vera for your GERD caused by hiatal hernia, please consult your healthcare provider to make sure it is safe and appropriate for you. Do not take aloe vera if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.5

References: 

  • Roth, Erica. “Hiatal Hernias and Acid Reflux.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 13 Apr. 2020, www.healthline.com/health/gerd/hiatal-hernia.
  • “Aloe Vera.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera.
  • Team, the Healthline Editorial. “How to Tell When Acid Reflux Is More Than a Mild Case of Heartburn.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 22 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/gerd.
  • Panahi, Yunes et al. “Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera syrup for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a pilot randomized positive-controlled trial.” Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan vol. 35,6 (2015): 632-6. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(15)30151-5
  • Brusie, Chaunie. “Can You Use Aloe Vera Juice to Treat Acid Reflux?” Healthline, 22 Aug. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/aloe-vera-juice-acid-reflux.