How to Process and Use Aloe vera from Your own Plant

Aloe vera (Barbadensis species) is well known for its benefits to the skin, healing for many ailments and detoxifying effects. If you don’t have your own aloe vera plant, you can buy aloe vera leaves from some health stores and supermarkets.

Being able to cut off a piece of aloe directly from your own plant for medicinal, cosmetic or dietary use, is not only handy but cost effective.

Most people that use aloe vera report many good benefits. BUT – There is much confusion about the safety of eating/ingesting.

If Aloe vera is Processed Correctly – It is SAFE to Ingest

The Aloe Leaf

Aloe Rind – also known as the outer leaf can be poisonous to digest.

Aloe Latex is a light yellowish or brownish color. This latex is also known as aloe sap or aloin and is toxic to digest – due to its laxative effects. Symptoms

Inner Leaf Juice is also referred to as the Aloe vera gel or the Aloe fillet. This is the most nutritious part of the plant and can be used internally and externally.

Aloe Vera can become toxic or give you an allergic reaction if you ingest too much.

How to Process Aloe vera for Consumption

Cut a leaf off from the lower ground level end of the plant. (Any un-used part of the leaf stem can be kept in a glass or your fruit bowl for later use)
Trim off the green spikes from the sides.

Slide your knife between the rind & inner leaf on both sides to remove outer rind.

Thoroughly wash the jelly substance (often yellow in color) off, under the cold tap to remove the toxic latex/aloin sap. (Store any un-used Aloe vera gel in an air tight container inside the fridge. This also applies to aloe gel or bottled juice that you have purchased from a shop).

Now your aloe gel is ready to add to your
Juice or Smoothie

(Aloe vera juice naturally has a bitter/sour taste)

You may want to pop it in the blender first.

Or you may decide to cut it up finely and swallow with your favorite juice. (Aloe vera can have a detoxifying effect so start off ingesting a small amount to start with: Eg: 1 – 2 Tbls a day and work your way up to no more than one cup a day. Slowly working your way up is also a good way to tell if you have an allergy to aloe juice).

If you have purchased bottled aloe vera juice – stick to manufacturers recommendations.

Advertisement

Important Notice when Using Aloe vera

Do not ingest:

With an intravenous needle/syringe

If you are pregnant or breast feeding

Check with healthcare professional if:

You are taking any medication

If you have diabetes – as aloe vera can lower blood sugar levels.

Side effects

In rare cases, some people can get a mild allergic reaction when using aloe vera. Resulting in abdominal cramping, diarrhea, red urine, itching and/or a rash. Should this happen to you – discontinue using it.

Those with a Severe allergy to ingesting Aloe vera

Can show signs of low blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance. Low blood sugar can cause light headedness, dizziness, shaking, and sweating. Replenishing glucose levels with orange juice, candy, or table sugar can often bring up blood sugar levels and eliminate symptoms.

If you do have a severe allergy to aloe vera…

Discontinue ingesting it and seek medical advice.

How to Process Aloe vera for Your Skin

I find it best to put the pure aloe gel on my face at night. As aloe vera penetrates deep down into the seven layers of skin and works more from the inside out, I prefer to apply my usual night cream afterwards as it works from the outside in.

Aloe vera on your skin is natures alternative to BOTOX.

NOTE: When applying aloe onto your face – follow normal practice of not putting aloe directly under your eyes. Smooth it on up to your eye bone like you do with your eye cream. This will avoid the aloe seeping into your eyes.

I’m sure you will benefit from Aloe, natures miracle healer

You can use the outer gel left in the rind from the piece of aloe you made your drink with or:-