The gel made from the leaves of aloe vera is not only good for the skin and hair, but is also suitable as a food additive. This is said to have both a strengthening and calming effect, particularly on the digestive organs.
Can you eat aloe vera gel?
Aloe vera gel can be used as a food additive by stirring it into yogurt, cereal or cold drinks. It is also possible to consume pure gel, but it tastes slightly bitter and neutral.
Aloe vera has had a firm place in medicine for centuries as a remedy for various skin problems. The cut leaf pieces were successfully used to heal burns and small injuries, but also to treat rashes, psoriasis and neurodermatitis.
However, the myths of aloe vera as a panacea, from generally strengthening the immune system and detoxifying the body to curing serious illnesses such as diabetes or even cancer, are not scientifically proven. The aloin contained in the plant has a strong laxative effect, so that the few preparations that are still available today are only available in pharmacies.
Win aloe vera gel
The leaves of Aloe vera grow from the inside out. While the plant constantly produces new leaves in the middle, the outer leaves die or can be harvested regularly to make gel. Please note that after cutting off the leaves, they should be placed vertically until the yellow, bitter, slightly poisonous juice has completely drained away. Then proceed as follows:
- first divide the sheet crosswise into portions,
- halve the individual pieces lengthwise,
- Scrape the fresh gel out of the halves with a spoon.
Use and processing of the gel
It is recommended to only harvest as many leaves as the amount of fresh gel you need. The leaf pieces can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. If stored for a long time, the active ingredients are lost. The fresh gel can be frozen without any significant loss of quality. After thawing, it should be used immediately. You use the gel by applying it to the skin or stirring it into yogurt, cereal or cold drinks when eating. Pure gel is also edible, but it has no special taste ortastes slightly bitter.
Tip
If you are interested in making homemade creams, soaps or lotions with aloe vera, you will find numerous recipes and detailed instructions on the Internet. The easiest way is still to rub the skin of your face in the morning and evening with a cut leaf, as Cleopatra is said to have done.
