chryptof ·
We have a few Aloe Vera plants in our garden as it is a very versatile plant. We use the gel of the succulent leaves for (oral) consumption or to apply to the skin in case of acne or a (sun)burn. It is in general beneficial to apply Aloe gel to your skin.
Consuming Aloe Vera gel, usually in smoothies or other beverages, helps hydration and the promotion of (skin) collagen production. The gel also soothes stomach issues like constipation or ulcers. The richness of essential nutrients and antioxidants boost the immune system and combat free radical damage.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]]
Replies
chryptof ·
In the next posts I will show/explain how to prepare Aloe Vera for consumption.
!!! First of all: Assure that you have the real Aloe Vera as not all Aloe varieties are edible. One good indicator is the color of the flowers: the Aloe Barbadensis Miller has YELLOW flowers and it's leaves grow in ROSET formation !!!
1. Cut the leaves and let the yellow latex drip out of the cut-wounds.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Concumption]]
chryptof ·
Cut the succulent leaves in smaller parts and remove the spiky borders.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Consumption]]
![Cut the succulent leaves in smaller parts and remove the spiky borders.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[…](https://knov-prod.onrender.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaEpJaWs0WlRBNU9HRmlNaTFrTkdZNUxUUmpZVGt0WWpBMFlpMDNabVZoTkRNNE56QmxOMkVHT2daRlZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--02f58a49fc995ac0f9e20cb78ee18494b234e729/IMG_20251017_223703.jpg)
chryptof ·
Slice the flat (top) side from the succulent leaves.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Consumption]]
![Slice the flat (top) side from the succulent leaves.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe…](https://knov-prod.onrender.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaEpJaWt6Wm1Rd1lqazNaQzB3T0RVNExUUTFNbVV0WWpReVlpMHhaVEV6WkdGaU5UWXdaamdHT2daRlZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--b99d211502c911e24b1ee025b5694b3f0640dffe/IMG_20251017_223840.jpg)
chryptof ·
Cut the bottom part, which has the thick layer of gel, into chunks of about 1 cm width.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Consumption]]
![Cut the bottom part, which has the thick layer of gel, into chunks of about 1 cm width.
[[Hobby]] …](https://knov-prod.onrender.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaEpJaWs0TWpNNU5qRTJNaTB6WXpKbUxUUm1aR0l0T1dNeFpTMWxaRGN3TTJNME5UazJPR0VHT2daRlZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--0b337abf58bba70d62d9a2d3768166b7b36ce497/IMG_20251017_224301.jpg)
chryptof ·
Use a filleting knife to cut fillets from the Aloe chunks.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Consumption]]
![Use a filleting knife to cut fillets from the Aloe chunks.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] …](https://knov-prod.onrender.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaEpJaWszT0ROak0yRXdPUzB6WVdJMUxUUTNNV1F0WVdRMlpDMDNaalV6Wmpjek9EWmxaR1FHT2daRlZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--893f0f340312f86bfde1e9dba91f14783b458191/IMG_20251017_224718.jpg)
chryptof ·
Cut the small Aloe "fillets" into small (about) 1 cm cubes.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Consumption]]
![Cut the small Aloe "fillets" into small (about) 1 cm cubes.
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]]…](https://knov-prod.onrender.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaEpJaWt6TVRFeVlUUXdNUzAyT1dRNUxUUTBZbVl0WW1KbFpDMDBaamc0TVRjNVpqUXlNVElHT2daRlZBPT0iLCJleHAiOm51bGwsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--699a00aab782ecbbc6be9839d67eb57a8978476c/IMG_20251017_224840.jpg)
chryptof ·
Wash the small Aloe gel cubes multiple times in clear water to assure that all (invisible) latex is rinsed off.
This latex, a.k.a. Aloin, contains compounds that can cause strong intestinal contractions resulting in a laxative effect.
!!! Skip this step is laxation is the desired use case !!!
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Consumption]]
chryptof ·
Store the clean Aloe gel cubes in freezer bags in small portions and add them to your desired smoothies, beverages or salads.
Bon Appétit!
[[Hobby]] [[Gardening]] [[Succulents]] [[Aloe Vera]] [[Aloe barbadensis Miller]] [[Consumption]]
RosaAmargada ·
I've had Aloe Vera plants for many years.
I never consumed the gel, but it's great for wounds, acne, and many other skin issues.