Aloe Vera + Preggie + Google = Scary
**In today's episode of worrisome pregnant woman, we explore the dangers of internet knowledge. lol.
In an effort to be healthy while shopping at 7/11 for my overnight shift meal, I purchased a Natural Aloe Vera drink. I had a 1 mile walk ahead of me since cabs seem to think I’m invisible in Arlington, Virginia (I waited for 20 minutes like a fool!) When I had walked about 6 blocks (half a mile or so) I took a sip of the aloe vera juice because it is supposed to give you energy and the remaining ½ mile is all hills, no sidewalks.
The first fun surprise was that there was pulp. The juice itself was delicious, don’t get me wrong. Sweet without being too sweet. I just didn’t expect pulp, so it caught me off guard. I did feel a burst of energy and the rest of the walk was a breeze. Once I settled in at work, I drank a bit more and loved it so much I decided to write a post about it…
Unfortunately, when looking for a photo of an aloe vera plant and/or the juice online, I came across some scary info about the consumption of aloe vera juice furing pregnancy.
A lot of women on this forum seemed to be going a little crazy over the bad side effects during pregnancy, which got me worried.
Upon further research, I found that on Dr. Sebi’s website, he lists Aloe Vera and Echinacea as hybrids, which are supposed to be bad because they don’t occur in nature (MIND BLOW) Ginseng, dong quay (used to mediate menstruation), and garlic are hybrids too! (TIRE SCREECH). In a nutshell, he (and others) say this is bad because hybrid foods are “missing vital electrics, they are unnatural and high in both sugar and starch. They are devoid of proper mineral balance that all wild foods contain. So when we eat a lot of bybrid fruit and vegetables that lead to mineral deficiencies, they cause the body to bring heavy minerals from the bones into the blood to buffer the sugar.”
If you don’t know, Dr. Sebi is a healer who has cured a lot of people from a lot of diseases. He is very respected and has a lot of followers. I am not really one of them, but I do take heed to a lot of the knowledge he puts out.
Let's go back for a second...do people even know what aloe vera is?? According to Wikipedia, “Aloe vera is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in northern Africa. The species does not have any naturally occurring populations, although closely related aloes do occur in northern Africa.”
So back to aloe vera + pregnancy........
Mayo Clinic: “Because aloe contains estrogen-like chemicals, the effects of other agents believed to have estrogen-like properties may be altered. Although use of aloe on the skin is unlikely to be harmful during pregnancy or breastfeeding, taking aloe by mouth is not recommended due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions. The dried juice of aloe leaves should not be consumed by breastfeeding mothers.”
There’s no warning on the bottle regarding pregnancy or anything else.
And none of these sites show any stats or conclusions...
At this point, I thought: I can call a 24-hour nurse line. they'll know the answer!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I was sorely mistaken on that one.
I called 2 different hotlines (MOLINA & BLUE CROSS) and NEITHER one would help because I wasn’t in the system.
Tragic.
Then I found a blog that claimed aloe vera it is ok/safe/good for you during pregnancy: Confusingly, the same blog goes on to say: "WARNING: Aloe vera juice has a laxative effect and can cause electrolyte imbalances and uterine contractions. In pregnant women, this could lead to miscarriage of the fetus. Expert Insight - Ingesting Aloe vera juice while pregnant has not been determined to be 100% safe. It is best to avoid drinking it unless deemed appropriate by a heath care professional."
LiveStrong.com had this to say:
Pregnancy No evidence suggests that using aloe vera gel topically during pregnancy has any harmful effects. However, the American Pregnancy Association does not recommend that it be taken orally, as it can cause uterine contractions and drops in blood sugar. The stretching of the skin on the abdomen can itch, and rubbing a small amount of aloe gel on the area can relieve it, helping to prevent stretch marks. Due to conflicting data, speak to a physician before placing aloe on an open wound.
MY CONCLUSION
This will be my last bottle of aloe vera juice until after Junior is born. I can be a bit of a worry wart when it comes to my son. I will talk to my doula and Doc, but I’m gonna let this be the last one just to be on the safe side!
MY QUESTIONS
Am I too worried? Was I justified in putting ymself through that research mind f***? Should the nurses have answered me even though I wasn't part of their "network"?
**In today's episode of worrisome pregnant woman, we explore the dangers of internet knowledge. lol.
In an effort to be healthy while shopping at 7/11 for my overnight shift meal, I purchased a Natural Aloe Vera drink. I had a 1 mile walk ahead of me since cabs seem to think I’m invisible in Arlington, Virginia (I waited for 20 minutes like a fool!) When I had walked about 6 blocks (half a mile or so) I took a sip of the aloe vera juice because it is supposed to give you energy and the remaining ½ mile is all hills, no sidewalks.
The first fun surprise was that there was pulp. The juice itself was delicious, don’t get me wrong. Sweet without being too sweet. I just didn’t expect pulp, so it caught me off guard. I did feel a burst of energy and the rest of the walk was a breeze. Once I settled in at work, I drank a bit more and loved it so much I decided to write a post about it…
Unfortunately, when looking for a photo of an aloe vera plant and/or the juice online, I came across some scary info about the consumption of aloe vera juice furing pregnancy.
A lot of women on this forum seemed to be going a little crazy over the bad side effects during pregnancy, which got me worried.
Upon further research, I found that on Dr. Sebi’s website, he lists Aloe Vera and Echinacea as hybrids, which are supposed to be bad because they don’t occur in nature (MIND BLOW) Ginseng, dong quay (used to mediate menstruation), and garlic are hybrids too! (TIRE SCREECH). In a nutshell, he (and others) say this is bad because hybrid foods are “missing vital electrics, they are unnatural and high in both sugar and starch. They are devoid of proper mineral balance that all wild foods contain. So when we eat a lot of bybrid fruit and vegetables that lead to mineral deficiencies, they cause the body to bring heavy minerals from the bones into the blood to buffer the sugar.”
If you don’t know, Dr. Sebi is a healer who has cured a lot of people from a lot of diseases. He is very respected and has a lot of followers. I am not really one of them, but I do take heed to a lot of the knowledge he puts out.
Let's go back for a second...do people even know what aloe vera is?? According to Wikipedia, “Aloe vera is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in northern Africa. The species does not have any naturally occurring populations, although closely related aloes do occur in northern Africa.”
So back to aloe vera + pregnancy........
Mayo Clinic: “Because aloe contains estrogen-like chemicals, the effects of other agents believed to have estrogen-like properties may be altered. Although use of aloe on the skin is unlikely to be harmful during pregnancy or breastfeeding, taking aloe by mouth is not recommended due to theoretical stimulation of uterine contractions. The dried juice of aloe leaves should not be consumed by breastfeeding mothers.”
There’s no warning on the bottle regarding pregnancy or anything else.
And none of these sites show any stats or conclusions...
At this point, I thought: I can call a 24-hour nurse line. they'll know the answer!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I was sorely mistaken on that one.
I called 2 different hotlines (MOLINA & BLUE CROSS) and NEITHER one would help because I wasn’t in the system.
Tragic.
Then I found a blog that claimed aloe vera it is ok/safe/good for you during pregnancy: Confusingly, the same blog goes on to say: "WARNING: Aloe vera juice has a laxative effect and can cause electrolyte imbalances and uterine contractions. In pregnant women, this could lead to miscarriage of the fetus. Expert Insight - Ingesting Aloe vera juice while pregnant has not been determined to be 100% safe. It is best to avoid drinking it unless deemed appropriate by a heath care professional."
LiveStrong.com had this to say:
Pregnancy No evidence suggests that using aloe vera gel topically during pregnancy has any harmful effects. However, the American Pregnancy Association does not recommend that it be taken orally, as it can cause uterine contractions and drops in blood sugar. The stretching of the skin on the abdomen can itch, and rubbing a small amount of aloe gel on the area can relieve it, helping to prevent stretch marks. Due to conflicting data, speak to a physician before placing aloe on an open wound.
MY CONCLUSION
This will be my last bottle of aloe vera juice until after Junior is born. I can be a bit of a worry wart when it comes to my son. I will talk to my doula and Doc, but I’m gonna let this be the last one just to be on the safe side!
MY QUESTIONS
Am I too worried? Was I justified in putting ymself through that research mind f***? Should the nurses have answered me even though I wasn't part of their "network"?
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