Pure Aloe Vera

Pure aloe vera is healing for the body inside and out.  I use aloe vera in many of my skin and hair care recipes, and also as the base in some of my smoothies.  I’ve always purchased aloe vera juice or inner fillet from the grocery store, yet I never purchased pure aloe vera in its most natural form.  I don't know why it took me so long, but I finally bought an aloe vera leaf yesterday.

I’m shocked how different aloe vera gel is directly from the plant versus when it’s already bottled.

I purchased an aloe vera leaf from a local organic grocery store for $5.  I simply cut a slice of the aloe vera leaf to obtain the gel.  I cut off the spiny part of the leaf first, then the top and bottom layer of the rind.  I started cutting with the large knife shown in the picture below, later switching to a smaller syringed knife for better control.  I then put the thick nutrient rich gel in my food processor and blended thoroughly.

Even aloe vera fillet purchased from the health food store doesn’t have the texture or qualities of pure aloe vera straight from the leaf.  My first surprise was how pure aloe vera has a mucilage like consistency similar to flaxseed gel, yet with a frothy texture when blended.

Pure aloe vera is very slimy to the touch and also slippery.

This gel felt amazing on my skin, and more wonderful on my hair which dried even softer than before.  My second surprise was how bitter pure aloe vera is compared to the aloe vera juice that I usually buy.  Bitter herbs are the healthiest for the body, and the purer the aloe vera the more benefits that it will contain.

Aloe vera has been called the "miracle plant" and been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and for beauty.

Aloe vera is most known for its ability to heal wounds by promoting cell growth and repair.  This alone makes it wonderful for any skin irritations, counteracting wrinkles, and other skin ailments.  Consuming pure aloe vera is especially healing to the liver, heart, and spleen as well as the digestive system.  All store bought aloe vera isn’t created equal.  Pure aloe vera is much better.

How do you use aloe vera for your health and beauty?

Images by Dawn Michelle