It might be a common kitchen plant but the benefits of aloe vera are very well known to us. They mostly include the absorption of nutrients and elimination of toxins from the body possible by drinking aloe vera juice. Also it helps in cleaning the digestive and the circulatory system. Apart from this aloe vera contributes in treating aging problems. Specially the gels which are made using aloe vera as the main ingredient; penetrate deep into our skins and give a smooth glowing skin. This aloe vera gel is also useful in treating sunburns, burns, cuts, insect bites, etc. But the markets which are flooded with such type of products can hardly be trusted. Hence it is an advantage to learn how to make aloe vera gel ourselves to treat our skin well.
Complexity Level: Preparation of aloe vera gel is very simple and of basic level.
Time required: You will require about twenty minutes in preparing this gel.
Resources required: You will require fresh aloe vera leaves, a knife, spoon, vitamin C tablet or powder, vitamin E gel capsules, container having tight lid.
Instructions:
1. Cutting and taking out the pulp:
With the help of a knife cut off the spiked edges of aloe vera leaves and also remove skin from one side. Now with a spoon, scoop out the gel from the leaves and place the gel in a blender. Take care to see that all the gel has been scooped out.
2. Adding vitamin C and E:
For every quarter cup of aloe vera pulp, take 500 mg of powdered vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E. If you have tablets of vitamin C, crush them with the back of a spoon. Vitamin C not only acts as a preservative but it also adds to the many health benefits of aloe vera.
3. Blending it thoroughly:
After all the required contents, blend them together in a blender to forms a nice gel. Even after blending it some part of pulp may still remain in the gel. You can strain that pulp by filtering it through cheesecloth. After filtering, place the finished pulp in an airtight container. See to it that the lid of the container is tight fitting. Store that container in the refrigerator so that it remains usable for at least three months.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to use aloe vera gel?
1. Use the home-made aloe vera directly on cuts, skin abrasions, sun burns, rashes or insect bites. It gives a soothing effect and also helps in faster healing.
2. You can use it as a skin cream as it moisturizes your skin and softens it. Aloe vera is also known to reduce wrinkles, sun spots etc.
3. You can also use aloe vera gel for your hair as it moisturizes your hair and is effective to reduce dandruff and hair loss.
4. As aloe vera contains magnesium lactate, it helps in curing sinus and inflammation of the chest which can be caused due to allergies.
5. Other internal healing benefits of aloe vera contain relief from headaches, disorder of the stomach and some kidney ailments.
Quick tips:
The container that you choose to store aloe vera gel should be good for storing food. You can go in for a container which has dark brown or green glass as it helps to keep the light away from gel.
Things to watch out for:
1. To prevent the gel from discoloration and usable for a long time, do not forget to add a drop of vitamin C as mentioned earlier and also a very small quantity of citric acid.
2. You can substitute citric acid with grapefruit seed extract, but see that you add it in the gel.
