Aloe vera gel is one of the most effective remedies found in nature. It can be used to treat sunburn, moisturize the skin and soothe irritation. To make it yourself, all you need is a healthy aloe plant. The gel can be mixed with other ingredients to keep it even longer.
Ingrediants
- Aloe leaf
- Optional: 500 mg of vitamin C powder or 400 IU of vitamin E (for every 60 ml of gel)
Steps
Step 1. Wash your hands
It is important to start the preparation with clean hands and use sanitized tools to prevent the gel from becoming contaminated.
Step 2. Cut an outer leaf of an aloe plant
The outer leaves are the most mature. They are very rich in healthy fresh gel. Try to get one on the outside of the plant, with the base growing close to the ground. Use a sharp knife and make a clean cut near the base.
- Since aloe vera gel is perishable, it is best not to harvest too many leaves at once unless you plan to distribute them to other people. Only cut a leaf or two, especially if they are large; should be sufficient to prepare 120-240 ml of gel.
- If the plant is young, be especially careful not to cut too many at once. If you remove all the outer leaves you could damage the plant.
Step 3. Drain the resin for 10 minutes
Place the leaves upright in a cup and let it drain. The dark yellow resin contains latex, which can be slightly irritating to the skin. It is recommended to let it drain so that it does not enter the gel.
Step 4. Peel the leaves
Carefully remove the green part with a potato peeler. Make sure you cut the inner white layer that separates the green peel from the underlying gel. Remove the skin on one side of the leaf leaving it in a "canoe shape" filled with gel.
- If the leaf is large, it may be wise to cut it into small pieces before peeling it.
- Remove the skin, so as not to confuse it with the gel.
Step 5. Collect the gel with a spoon
It is clear, soft and easy to collect. Place it in a clean bowl and be sure to collect it all until there is no more left in the half leaf.
Step 6. Consider mixing it with a natural preservative
If you have collected a lot and want to keep it for a month or two, mix it with 500 mg of vitamin C powder or 400 IU of vitamin E for every 60 ml of gel. Put the ingredients in a blender and mix them thoroughly. The gel will foam at first.
Step 7. Place it in a clean and sterilized glass jar
If you have added the preservative, the gel will keep well for several months in the refrigerator. Without it, it will only keep for a week or two.
Step 8. Use the gel
Apply it on sunburns or other superficial and minor burns. Aloe can also be used as a skin moisturizer or as an ingredient in homemade body products.
- Do not apply the gel to deep cuts or blisters of the skin. It should only be used for superficial irritations, as it can prevent normal scarring.
- Try mixing 120ml of aloe with 60ml of melted coconut oil to create a moisturizing and soothing massage lotion.
- Learn how to grow the aloe plant so you can make yourself a batch of gel whenever you want.
Advice
Instead of powdered vitamin C, you can crush a vitamin C tablet and mix it with the gel. Alternatively, a few drops of grapefruit extract are also fine
Warnings
- Aloe can also be consumed orally, but don't take too much; has a laxative effect.
- Wear gloves when handling the aloe plant if you are sensitive to latex.
