Aloe vera is a common cactus found in many homes, I mean who hasn’t been slathered up with aloe vera after a horrible suburn? Known as the first aid kit in a plant, aloe is an amazing food for many reasons:
- Burns, wounds, abrasions.
- Skin and hair preparations.
- Internally and externally for skin conditions like acne and rosacea.
- A natural sunscreen.
- Cleansing laxative when taken internally.
- Aids in coating and healing the digestive lining.
Aloe loves warm sun and little water, and is best used by cutting the base of a leaf, and then applying the cool gel as needed. You can store the partially used leaves in the fridge, for use when you need it. The plant itself will grow little plants and these can be removed and
We like to add a leaf to some of our drinks as an added “fancy”. If taking internally (besides just a bit in your drink) it’s best to use preserved aloe vera juice which can be found on Amazon or a local health food store.
Caution with aloe: It’s a good idea for pregnant and nursing women NOT to take aloe internally. Aloe can be good for constipation, but overuse can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping, so take only what is recommended on the bottle.
Correlating recipes:
Refreshing Citrus Aloe Spritzer