David Rose
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Aloe vera is an effective treatment for a skin disorder and could be used to treat mouth ulcers, researchers say.
Gels containing extracts from the plant were found to ease the burning, stinging pain and ulcers associated with oral lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the mouth.
Affecting more than 1 in 100 people, persistent mouth ulcers due to lichen planus can give rise to cancerous changes within the ulcer, and so need to be monitored by a doctor.
Previously the condition has been hard to treat, but a study in the British Journal of Dermatology confirms anecdotal reports that aloe vera gel could help to soothe symptoms.
A team of Thai dermatologists examined 54 patients, half of whom were treated with a topically applied aloe vera gel while the other half received a placebo.
A total of 81 per cent of the patients treated with aloe vera had a good response after eight weeks of treatment, while only 4 per cent of placebo patients had a similar response.
Where improvement did occur, it was on a significantly greater scale in those treated with aloe vera – symptoms improved by more than 50 per cent in 63 per cent of aloe vera patients, whereas only 7 per cent of the placebo patients had this level of improvement.
Burning pain completely disappeared in a third of the aloe vera patients, compared with only 4 per cent of the placebo group. No serious side-effects were found in either group, and the researchers believe that aloe vera could not only be used to treat oral lichen planus, but also common mouth ulcers.
Aloe vera is known to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties and has been used to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and eczema.
Cosmetic companies add sap or other derivatives from the plant to products such as make-up, tissues, moisturisers, soaps, sunscreens, shampoos and lotions, but the effectiveness of the extract in these products remains unknown.
The cause of oral lichen planus is not known, but it may be linked to a disorder of the body’s immune system.
Charoen Choonhakarn, dermatologist at Srinagarind Hospital Medical School, Khon Kaen University, in Thailand, and one of the study’s authors, said:“We found that the effect of 70 per cent aloe vera gel on the disorder was significantly better than a placebo. The results showed decreases both in clinical signs and in pain scores. Mild, adverse effects were reversible and aloe vera was well tolerated”.
Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “Aloe vera has proven anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. This is an interesting development for the treatment of mouth ulcers.”
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Where in the US can I get this product for oral lichen planus? Thank you
De Hoffman, Baltimore, MD, US
I would agree with the benefits of aloe vera. I have found an amazing aloe vera pain relief gel for all muscle aches, headaches and arthritus. It is amazing, rubs in great and works deep in with a lovely cooling effect giving you ages of relief. you can get it is you type in "muscgel" to google.
Ross Mendenhall, southapmton, england
I used to use a popular brand name product for back pain which always left a red rash, using forever living products aloe msm gel is great for the pain and aloe vera gel is great for burns and those stingy cuts and the kids love it, Patrick Judge Dublin itsadogdayafternoon.com
Patrick, Dublin, Ireland
absolutely agree that Forever Living Aloe Toothgel is fantastic. My teenage daughter suffered with mouth ulcers, but having used the toothgel, she has not had one ulcer for the past 3 months. They do loads of other fantastic products too!
Miranda Hathaway, Leiceste4r, England
Aloe is amazing but combined with moringa it's unbeilvable! Check it out! fixes IBS, acid reflux,high blod pressure, whatever ails you! you name it! http://pogamoongajuice.com
Edward Burke, lake worth, usa
Aloe Vera Gel is known as a great anti-inflammatory and when consumed as a drink, had a very pleasant effect on my bowel disorder IBS. So much so that i stopped taking the drugs prescribed bu the Dr's. I'd much rather take something natural ( as long as it worked! )
Maxine, Devon
Maxine Fergusin, Exmouth, Devon
Aloe Vera is fantastic for your immune system, skin and digestion. For Mouth Ulcers try using Forever Bright Toothgel and drinking Aloe Vera Gel on a daily basis. For these products and many more visit www.aloeverasupplier.co.uk
Mike Carrington, Sheringham, Norfolk, UK
I am a distributor for Forever Living Products in the London and Surrey area. Forever is a company who has been distributing aloe vera for 30 years.I have several customers who have been using aloe vera gel for mouth ulcers for sometime and who have had such amazing results from them, that it is nice to see that the research backs up what we , as distributors already know.
The important point however, is that it works best with high quality aloe vera which is something that Forever has been proud of for many years. If anyone is interested in finding out how they can obtain it in the Surrey area, feel free to contact me on 01363 898954. One of the greatest things I feel that the company offers is a FULL , no quibble 60 day money back guarentee and have done for thirty years, so it can be tried for a particular problem with no obligation which is always a relief for people who have tried other things without success, often spending vast sums of money in the process!
Mandy McDade, Walton On Thames, Surrey
I have noticed that puppies, when they are teething, will demolish an Aloe Vera plant!..........now I know why!
Rosemary Rhodes, Liskeard, Cornwall
As an FLP distributer I decided to try my own product to treat a nasty mouth ulcer that started about 10 months ago. It refuses to go. I mentioned it to two dentists and a dental hygenist . They brushed it aside (no pun intended) with "looks like the tail end of an abscess" and "could be scar tissue from an earlier infection" but absolutely no intention of doing more. I started using Aloe Vera gel and it certainly calmed it down but I did not use it often enough. In the end I resorted to specialist mouth wash and Bonjela gel which helped shrink but not get rid of it. I will go back to the Aloe Vera gel which from this research I am sure will do the job - after all it took 8 weeks in the trial. As it is I use the gel for so many other things, especially scratches on my terriers when they run through hedges. It closes the wound in half an hour, steralises and speeds healing. They seem to appreciate it.
Chris, Haddenham, Cambs
If you would like to get hold of some natural 100% gel only Aloe Vera, then please see this website: www.foreverproducts4u.co.uk I have found these products absolutly amazing, and really do get very good results.
Samina Gordon, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Very interesting but where in the UK can you buy the mouth gel?
Penny Shepherd- Barron, Woodbridge, England
Sore mouths are better examined by dentists as their knowledge of oral physiology and pathology is greater than that of their medical counterparts.
Bill Q, Derby,
It was good to read your report on the use of Aloe Vera Gel for sufferers of oral lichen planus, as published by the British Journal of Dermatology. An 81% success rate is a superb result. There is a lot of information about Aloe Vera and much anecdotal eveidence of its efficacy in a range of conditions, but there is still only a small volume of published scientific research to back up the stories. In the last couple of years researchers have published results of trials on patients with another autoimmune condition, Ulcerative Colitis.
I have been involved in the Aloe Vera business for the last 11 years and have seen some great results, and experienced them for myself, but for wider acceptance there is nothing to beat properly controlled medical research.
Jane Rubin, Towcester, UK
As a Distributor of Aloe Vera by Forever Living Products I agree with this article. I have, along with many other distributors seen the effect of aloe vera on mouth ulcers and many other conditions. Our aloe vera is the best in the world. The company which has been going for nearly 30 years owns over 90% of the worlds aloe fields. This means we use only the sap of the plant which is collected very quickly to ensure a high potency. Ask anyone who uses the products especially our drinks which account for 50% of our market and they tell you of the benefits. Best kept secret which is why we love what we do to help people feel great.
Anne Tornabene, Truro, England
Its nice to know that some people in the medical profession are interested in mouth ulcers. My experience of mouth ulcers had been horrendous and I've received little care or treatment from GPs over the years. I hope this new treatment will provide me and other sufferers with some relief.
Woman with sore mouth, York,