How To Use Fresh Aloe Vera For Health And Beauty

The many health and beauty benefits of aloe vera made it quite well-known. However, as is often the case, it’s not always the what but the how.

Aloe vera is a succulent recognized for its therapeutic benefits for thousands of years in Egypt, China, India, and Mexico.
The “magical” part of aloe vera is its gel which is a chockful of precious amino acids, lipids, sterols, minerals and vitamins.

According to the National Library of Medicine, aloe vera “contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline.”

In addition to vitamins, aloe contains also numerous enzymes, hormones, and minerals such as chromium, copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and potassium. The list doesn’t end there, among other notable components of aloe vera are numerous amino acids, lignin, and salicylic acid.

Various sources elaborate on aloe’s potential medicinal properties. It is believed that aloe vera may have a therapeutic impact on several viruses, fight tumors and may support a robust immune system. (As I usually say following such statements, the lack of funding for in-depth research and clinical trials focused on natural substances prevents us from confirming their medicinal properties and consequently, their use in mainstream medicine where they could do a lot of good.)

In this article, let’s focus on popular and time-tested uses of aloe vera for health and beauty.
We all know that aloe vera gel helps relieve sunburn. It does more than that, aloe is helpful in treating skin infections; it also accelerates the healing of minor wounds and cuts.
You may have heard also that aloe is a great humectant that helps skin (and even hair) retain water. That’s true, but there is more.

There is a difference between fresh aloe vera and aloe vera products sold in stores. The aloe vera you can buy in different forms in stores Is processed for the sake of the product’s appearance and / or shelf life. The best form of aloe vera to use is the actual fresh leaf.

If you live in a warm climate, I urge you to grow aloe vera. (This tip is for those who actually grow aloe vera: with thorns removed and skin from the flat side of the leaf removed as well, aloe makes the best first aid product for an accidental hit, smash and crush injuries: apply as a dressing, secure over the injured area and leave in place for a couple of hours. It will remedy pain and in most cases help the injury, too.)

If growing aloe is not an option, in the United States, individual fresh aloe vera leaves can be purchased in Latin grocery markets.

Now, the two best aloe vera health and beauty aids are aloe gel and aloe oil. Both are great to have handy for fast applications whenever the need arises.

• Aloe gel helps to fight acne.
• Aloe vera gel relieves the pain of minor cuts and bruises, speeds up healing and minimizes scars.
• Aloe gel relieves flaky, dry skin.
• Aloe gel softens skin.
• Aloe gel tightens pores.
• Aloe gel relieves sunburn.
• Aloe vera gel relieves the irritation caused by insect bites.
• Aloe gel stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Since it is a humectant, it also improves skin elasticity.
• Aloe gel can be used to moisturize hair split ends, as a natural hair gel, and to control unruly brows.

The above-named examples are all true but in my personal experience, I found aloe gel somewhat drying and I didn’t really enjoy the benefits of aloe vera until I “discovered” aloe vera oil.
Make and try both to determine which one YOU prefer!

In both cases, start with a cleanly cut whole aloe leaf. Submerge it in water and let it stand in it for 24 hours. (During this time, aloe releases impurities and toxins in the water.) As shown in the picture, the water gradually turns red. After 24 hours, your leaf will be ready to use.

How To Make Fresh Aloe Vera Gel

After the 24 hours detox, remove the thorns and skin from the flat side of the leaf. Next, either remove the skin from the rounded side of the leaf OR using a knife fillet the leaf and scrub out the fleshy gel. Whichever way you get there (I usually do some of both), try to chop the clear gel into smaller pieces. Make sure there are no pieces of skin in the gel.

Finally, put the pieces of gel in a blender and blend them well. Store in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How To Make Fresh Aloe Vera Oil

Once your aloe vera leaf is detoxed, remove the thorns and skin from the flat side of the leaf. Next, either remove the skin from the rounded side of the leaf OR using a knife fillet the leaf and scrub out the fleshy gel. Whichever way you get there (I usually do a little of both), try to chop the clear gel into smaller pieces. Make sure there are no pieces of skin in the gel.

Now, in a double boiler heat up (but don’t boil!) 6 ounces of extra virgin olive oil. (That’s for one large aloe vera leaf.) Once the oil is nice and hot, add the chopped aloe vera gel. Turn the heat down low to maintain the temperature but prevent the oil from boiling. Let the aloe sit in the hot oil for 40 minutes. After that time run the mixture through a strainer, you may want to push the aloe gel through the strainer with a spoon.

Put your aloe vera oil in a glass container and let it rest on the kitchen counter for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the oil will become somewhat cloudy and acquire a pleasant fruity scent. This indicates that your aloe oil is ready to use.

The oil should be stored in the refrigerator and will retain its properties for up to a month.

Uses of aloe vera oil:

• massage
• muscle pain relief
• more than anything, aloe vera oil is a FANTASTIC, gentle, non-greasy, and non-irritating moisturizer (works under makeup, too!)

Like garlic, aloe vera is one of the oldest and most valued traditional remedies. Try making aloe gel and aloe oil yourself; use them and you too will become a believer!