Well, I don't have Crohn's, I have UC, that being said, I drank a good deal of aloe vera juice when I was bad and it didn't seem to help me, sometimes it seemed it may make me worse. There were times it gave me some comfort, however. This is what was frustrating about using it...I never could really come to a conclusion if it helped. I know some say giving an enema of it can bring comfort, but other say that it can make it worse.
I think the best thing is to try it in small amounts for a few days, it cant harm you, but if it irritates him more, stop it.

ON another note. Have you looked into low-dose naltrexone? It is an off label medication that my Dr. (regular certified Dr., not alternative Dr. etc) prescribed for me. It is not commonly given and some Drs are not comfortable giving it for some reason. There are very little side effects and it is safe and cheap. It has to be made at a compounding pharmacy because it is such a low dose. Look it up and see if you can get a Dr to prescribe it.

I had blood and pain and hospitalizations for years before I started this medication. Thing is, I started it right after I was done with prednisone and the blood had stopped, so it seems to work as a maintenance drug...not sure if it works for acute symptoms. Good luck with your son, I will be praying for you!

thank you for taking the time for replying....x

Some people rave about it. But it can have adverse affects as well for some people- cramping, diarrhea, so there's no guarantee. I tried it for a very short time and it made me feel a little icky, Worse, it tasted really awful. Bleh. . .

Here is my 2 cents about homeopathic or aloe juice or anything- If your son doesn't like it, don't make him drink it.

There are so much we do not have control over and there are so many can'ts and pills we have to take. Don't add something else to the mix. The stuff tastes like ass, so unless your son loves the taste, let him be.

I am not a parent and I don't mean to tell you how to parent, but when my husband tries to make me do something because he thinks it might help I feel so powerless and depressed. He got me gummy vitamins and even though they are expensive he knows I'll take them.

There is a psychological component to having this disease!

Ashley I tend to agree with you. I hate when people are telling me to try this and try that. It's like, leave me alone, let me take my meds, let me rest and let me just get through this thing.

mumtobilly, I don't know how old your boy is and it's truly none of my business as you are his parent, but if he's really young, I'd try not to add anything additional at this point. If he's older, I'd involve him in whatever it is you want him to try. He's going to have this disease for the rest of his life and some of this has to be a choice on his part. There's no guarantee herbal and natural products are going to do anything. And, If it were that simple, we'd all be in remission.

I too drank tons of aloe vera juice and I found that not only did it not help but it seemed to make me worse. I also tried fish oil caps but the same thing happened. good luck marg4128

I have had Crohns for a long time and I have had many operations. For me none of the natural products have done anything for me. Like Ashley said do not force your son to take any non doctor recommended drugs or products. Crohns is not an easy disease to deal with because there is no cure. Surgery is the last resort but when all drugs fail and your intestine narrows to the size of a number 2 pencil then it is time for an operation. It will give yo ur son a better quality of life. I was 18 when I had my first operation and the operation lasted me 10 years before the disease came back. Get a second GI opinion before any surgery.

I have UC, not Crohns, but don't see how that would make a difference as far as bleeding goes. I did drink Aloe, every day for 2-3 months a couple ounces, mixed in juice so that you don't even taste it. I had had previous bleeding to the point of anemia, and I have had bleeding for 14 years prior. I have had barely any bleeding since, and had an improved condition on my colonoscopy afterwards. I would certainly recommend trying it, I don't understand the negative comments towards trying something like this vs deadly meds and surgery! Of course he should try it. Maybe the people who got worse drank too much? IDK. I can only say it worked for me, and I was amazed!!

PS. I still have severe inflammation, and against all doctors "knowledge and advice" I am implementing diet changes. I know there is a point where you just can't eat or even drink anything. I've been there, believe me. But once that prednisone gets out of the system and your/he is not hungry for everything and anything in sight, why not try some diet changes. After all, it does make good common sense, although every GI doc I've had said "don't bother changing your diet". Anything that would harm a normal person having diahria, (still can't spell it!lol) well, isn't it likely it would harm a person with inflamed intestines?? Anything easier on a normal person, wouldn't be easier on someone with disease too?? Am I the only one that never tried changing my eating habit before? I wonder. Chicken and rice....simple turkey on non-grain bread, mashed potatoes. Lots of things I wouldn't think of eating before due to weight issues, I eat now. The diet changes certainly havn't hurt!! Time will tell.