Harvesting aloe vera gel and utilizing it effectively can be highly beneficial. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to harvest the gel and 20 ways to use it:
Harvesting Aloe Vera Gel
- Cut a Leaf: Choose a large, healthy leaf and cut it close to the stem with a sharp knife.
- Drain the Leaf: Let the aloin, a yellowish-orange sap, drain out and discard it. This is especially important if you plan to consume the gel.
- Cut the Leaf in Half: Lay the leaf flat and slice it lengthwise.
- Scoop the Gel: Use a spoon to extract the translucent gel.
Storing Aloe Vera Gel
- Short Term Storage: Refrigerate the whole leaf or extracted gel. If storing the gel, you can extend its shelf life with natural preservatives like crushed vitamin C tablets.
- Long Term Storage: Freeze the whole leaf or gel in ice cube trays. Thaw slowly at room temperature when ready to use.
20 Ways to Use Aloe Vera Gel
- Natural Moisturizer: Apply directly to skin for hydration and healing.
- Makeup Primer: Use as a gentle primer before applying makeup.
- Eyebrow Gel: Style and set eyebrows.
- Glitter Application: Mix with glitter for a sparkling effect.
- Natural Exfoliator: Combine with brown sugar or coffee grounds for a body scrub.
- Makeup Remover: Use as a gentle, natural makeup remover.
- Toothpaste Alternative: Helps in controlling cavity-causing bacteria.
- Mouthwash: Homemade aloe mouthwash for breath freshness.
- Shaving Gel: Prevents razor burn and softens skin.
- Hair Mask: Soothes the scalp and moisturizes hair.
- Anti-Frizz Treatment: Controls frizzy hair in humid weather.
- Acne Treatment: Natural salicylic acid source for treating acne.
- Personal Lubricant: A natural alternative.
- Soothe Minor Burns: Aids in healing sunburns and minor burns.
- Bug Bite Relief: Relieves itching and speeds up healing.
- Constipation Relief: Aloe vera juice can aid digestion.
- Hangover Prevention: May help in reducing hangover symptoms.
- Bloating Relief: Soothes stomach after overeating.
- Canker Sore Treatment: Speeds up healing of mouth sores.
- Diabetes Management: Shows potential in blood sugar level management.
Remember, always consult a healthcare professional before using aloe vera for medical purposes. This versatile plant offers numerous health and beauty benefits, making it a valuable addition to your natural remedy toolkit.
