Harvesting Your Aloe Vera Plant & 7 Ways to Use It

Living out in the desert, Aloe Vera is something of a weed tucked in with the cactus and succulents. This being said, many people do not know how easy it is to harvest their own, all natural, aloe vera gel. Even more so, the wonderful properties aloe vera gives to the skin for healing and relief. If you own an aloe plant, now is your time to start harvesting the plant for all of its wonderful benefits.
So that's talk about those benefits for a brief moment.
1. Aloe vera is high in vitamins and minerals: aloe vera contains vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, Chlorine, B1, B2, B3, and B6. The plant also contains some B 12, and numerous minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, and more!

2. Aloe vera is high in amino acids and fatty acids: amino acids are the building blocks of protein, there are about 22 amino acids that are necessary for the human body, eight of which are a esswntial. There are approximately 18 to 20 amino acids in aloe vera including all 8 essential amino acids. Aloe vera also has a range of fatty acid's. Aloe contains HCL cholesterol which lowers fats in the blood, camper sterol, and B-sitosterol which all aid in symptoms of acid indigestion and allergies.

3. Aloe helps the skin: aloe vera is known for its wonderful properties to help heal and protect the skin. Aloe is used on burns, abrasions, psoriasis, and bug bites. Aloe also acts as an analgesic, to help relieve pain and an astringent. Aloe is also a antipruitic meaning it helps to relieve itching. On top of all this, it is also assist with reducing inflammation.

This is not all aloe has to offer, do a little research and you will be amazed! Aloe also contains many benefits when taken internally, I highly suggest learning more about it.

Start using your aloe today!

How to Harvest Aloe Vera gel

Begin by cutting the stem close to the base of the plant with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors.

Now you are ready to cut the edge spines off your low with kitchen scissors.

I typically cut 3 to 5, depending on the products I want to make.
Next, you will need to set the aloe upright in a glass 5-10 minutes to drain the natural latex of the aloe. This will assist in the aloe not being as sticky when applied to the skin.

Give the aloe a quick rinse off in the skin.
To remove the aloe vera gel from the stem, simply use both hands and peel it open at the base. This will reveal the jelly which contains the juice.

The outer skin may break into sections, this is ok. You will be removing the jelly from the skins.

Use the side edge of a fork to scrape the jelly off of the skin into a small bowl.

The aloe naturally contains fibers inside the jelly, giving it a structure. To assist in the application of the aloe vera gel to the skin or to other products, I have found it easiest to use an immersion mixer to break these fibers up. Simply place the jelly in a deep flat bottom bowl and whip.

This does cause the jelly to wroth and put some air bubbles into it. Leaving it to settle for a few minutes allows the jelly to normalize.

Transfer the jelly to a glass container, and store in the refrigerator. The jelly is good for one week.

To lengthen the shelflife of the aloe vera jelly, you can add vitamin E oil, grapeseed extract, or grapefruit extract to the jelly.

I prefer to use my jelly without any additives within the week I have harvested it. Bellow are some simple and all natural remedies my family uses with our harvested aloe.

7 Recipes for Naturally Harvested Aloe Vera

SUN BURN RELIEF
2 tbs. aloe Vera
1 tbs. organic witch hazel hydrosol
1 tbs. organic calendula hydrosol
Contents of 2-3 vitamin e capsules

SKIN EXFOLIATION
3 tbs. aloe Vera
1 tbs. organic cane sugar

HAND SANITIZER
makes 2 ounces
1 tbs. aloe Vera
1 tbs. organic witch hazel hydrosol
10 drops lemon essential oil

ACNE FACIAL MASK
1 tbs. aloe Vera
1 tbs. organic raw honey
2 drops tea tree essential oil
Mix well. Apply to face for 15 minutes. Rise well.

ALOE SUGAR SCRUB
2 tbs. aloe Vera
2 tbs. organic unrefined coldpressed coconut oil
4 tbs. organic cane sugar

ALOE GRAPEFRUIT SUGAR SCRUB
1 tbs aloe Vera
1 tbs. organic unrefined coldpressed coconut oil
1 tbs. fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 c. Organic cane sugar
2 drops grapefruit essential oil
3 tbs. jojoba or apricot kernel oil

ZINC ALOE ACNE TREATMENT
use equal parts zinc oxide powder and aloe Vera. Add water if needed. Apply only to infected area and leave on overnight.

USE RAW ALOE VERA GEL TO...
Hair treatment: moisturized and relieves itchy scalp.
Heal treatment: apply and leave on 15 minutes to help cracked heals.
Sunburn/ skin abrasion: apply directly to area whenever needed

Aloe has become a very much loved plant and natural remedy for my family. I hope you enjoy these recipes, I would love to hear back from you on any aloe recipes you use!

Enjoy!