Aloe Vera
This well-known house plant is wonderful for the skin and can be used on burns, wounds, acne, sunburn, ulcers, or varicose veins. Taken internally, aloe vera can ease ulcers, gastritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
If you’ve ever forgotten to apply sunscreen during a day at the beach, aloe vera has probably been a friend of yours. Aloe is commonly used to soothe the tightness and pain of sunburn, but it can also be used to treat wounds, fungal infections, insect bites, and dry skin conditions (especially eczema on the face). Aloe can also be taken internally to aid digestion.
Using Aloe Medicinally: To treat sunburn or wounds, trim off a leaf at its base, cut it lengthwise, and apply it directly to the skin. To make a tonic, mix up to 2 teaspoons of fresh aloe gel in a glass of water or fruit juice three times a day. Don’t ingest aloe during pregnancy though, as it can cause vomiting.
Growing Aloe: Aloe is a succulent that can thrive in poor soils and needs very little water. Aloe needs full sun and is easy to grow in containers; be sure to let the soil dry out between watering.
Aloe Vera Growing
- Aloe vera thrives in warm weather and can tolerate high temperatures and humidity.
- Well-drained soil, moderate watering, and ample sunlight are crucial for aloe vera care in Florida.
- Regular pruning and removing dead leaves promote healthy growth
- Zones 9 through 11 (tropical hardy).
- Zones 7 or 8 (when brought indoors or protected from cold).
- Zone 12 (heat-tolerant).
- Ideal growing temperature is 40°F to 90°F, but they can handle brief periods as low as 25°F or up to 100°F.
Aloe Vera Uses
Aloe vera is a plant that has various uses in:
Culinary
Yes, it is safe to consume the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf, which is commonly used in food and beverages. However, the outer leaf pulp (latex) should not be ingested as it contains aloin, which can be harsh and cause digestive issues.
Culinary Recipe
Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic apple juice
- 2 cups of your preferred chopped greens (such as parsley, kale, spinach, or chard)
- 2 cups of strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 spear of aloe (halved with the gel extracted)
Instructions:
1. Blend the apple juice and chopped greens until smooth.
2. Incorporate the strawberries and aloe gel.
3. Continue to puree until the mixture is smooth.
Medicinal
- Improving digestive health and relieving constipation by acting as a laxative
- Promoting oral health and clearing oral lichen planus
- Relieving anal fissures
Healing burns & Wounds
To prepare aloe vera gel for sunburn relief, follow these steps:
1. Cut off a section of an aloe vera leaf and apply the gel directly to the affected skin area.
2. Enhance the aloe vera gel with essential oils like lavender or peppermint for additional soothing properties.
3. Mix aloe vera juice with coconut oil and essential oils, and transfer the blend into a spray bottle for convenient application.
4. Clean and dry aloe vera leaves thoroughly, then puree them in a food processor to produce homemade gel.
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