DIY ALOE VERA GEL

Have you got a random Aloe Vera plant or two growing away in your garden that you know you could be using much more than just pruning and watering?

I grabbed a small shoot from a market stall a couple of years back and just planted it in the garden to fill a hole knowing that snapping a leaf will ooze out that magical gel most households have in one form or another, yet all I have done it seems is try and find room for the umpteen new offsets it grows (I couldn’t even give them away…) and does anyone really need so many Aloe Vera plants?

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ALOE

• Anti-Inflammatory – Anti-fungal – Anti-bacterial properties
• Aloe contains at least 140 individual substances – no less than 70 essential nutrients, including a wealth of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, protein, phytosterols and amino acids.
• Aids in digestion - Detoxifies the body - Builds Immunity

Harvesting your own Aloe Vera Gel is fairly easy and if you prefer to use a natural product then it can also save you a tonne of money at the same time. You only need a sharp knife (I found a filleting knife the best) and a butter knife or spoon to extract the gel and a clean jar or ice cube tray for storing.

Now the fun part… extracting your Aloe Vera Gel.

• Grab your Aloe Vera leaves you have cut from your plant (Tip: take the lowest leaves first to promote further growth), give them a quick wash and let dry (or pat dry)
• Trim the sides off the leaves (the prickly edges) and both ends
• Slice the leaves in half to expose the oozy flesh inside
• Gently scrape the gel into a clean bowl

** Be careful you don’t scrape right down to the yellowish layer just inside the outer skin which is known as the plant’s aloin latex, the part that can cause diarrhoea and lead to other health problems due to it's laxative effect.

• Fresh Aloe Vera gel can keep in the fridge for about a week. If you have excess gel you can freeze in an ice cube tray until needed.
• For a longer shelf life add the oil from a Vitamin E capsule (1600IU / 250 ml)

So keep replanting those new shoots!

EQUINE:  Syringe 20 ml over tongue or mix with 1 cup water and add to food

• Use internally & externally
• Palatable for fussy eaters
• Helps prevent and/or relieve the discomfort of gastric ulcers
• Improves gut function & condition of skin, coat & hoofs

 
CANINE:               

• Safe to use externally to soothe or promote the healing on skin, paws, nose, ears etc.
•  Moisturise dry itchy skin
• Relief of symptoms associated with dermatitis
• DO NOT FEED TO DOGS if consumed can lead to serious bouts diarrhoea which may result in loss of electrolytes and dehydration

                                               
HUMAN:  Mix 1 - 2 tsp. with 1 cup water or fruit juice per day (up to 5-7 days)

• Add sweetener or lemon juice as desired
• Highly alkaline & naturally reduces acidity in the body