Aloe vera: Harvesting and effects of aloe vera gel

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the aloe vera has long been known as a medicinal plant. Because of its moisturizing effect, it is often used for skin and hair. Here's how to make the leaves of the aloe vera cut and use.

sliced ​​aloe vera
Anyone who has aloe vera at home can obtain and use the gel without much effort [Photo: Pixel-Shot/ Shutterstock.com]

the aloe vera is not only a pretty ornamental plant, it can also be used as a medicinal plant. In our main article you will find a short profile and important information on how to Plant and propagate real aloe can. Here you will find all the important information on how to do it aloe vera can harvest and use.

contents

  • Harvest aloe vera
  • Medicinal properties of aloe vera
  • Preserving aloe vera gel

Harvest aloe vera

If you want to use the real aloe as a medicinal plant, you can harvest the leaves regularly. Above all, the ingredients of the gel-like plant juice have a well-documented positive effect on our skin. If you want to cut off the aloe vera, it is best to use plants that are two to three years old and cut off the leaves at the base of the stem with a clean, sharp knife. A pair of scissors is less suitable, as the juice will be squeezed out. You should always leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to recover from pruning. When harvesting regularly, it is important not to harvest more than two leaves and always allow leaves to grow back between harvests. In the dark season, when the plant grows more slowly, it should be harvested even more sparingly. who much

aloe vera- If you want to harvest gel, you should cultivate several plants instead of harvesting one plant intensively. Interfaces can take on an unsightly brown color, which is why the leaves underneath should be cut off.

Aloe vera leaf is cut off
Anyone who has aloe vera at home can obtain and use the gel without much effort [Photo: Kittima05/ Shutterstock.com]

the aloe vera harvesting requires no special skill. However, further processing should be carried out conscientiously, as the plant contains slightly poisonous plant sap, which leaks out of the cut and can cause irritation. In order to be able to collect and dispose of the juice, the leaves should be placed in a container as upright as possible. After the so-called bleeding, you can halve the leaves lengthwise and that aloe vera-Harvest gel by scraping it out with a spoon. In addition to using the gel is found aloe vera today as a component of numerous cosmetic and medical products, such as a moisturizer in nasal sprays. the aloe vera-Juice is often used as a food, but we generally advise against consuming ornamental plants - because if the aloe vera whether it is toxic or beneficial for you depends primarily on the processing. It should be better off professionally prepared and made to food standard aloe vera-Juice to be resorted to.

tip: You can find one in our special article Overview of different aloe vera-Species, what constitutes them and how to use them.

Aloe vera stem slices
Aloe vera gel is easy to obtain and helps against many skin problems [Photo: sundaemorning/ Shutterstock.com]

Medicinal properties of aloe vera

Since ancient times, the aloe vera known as a medicinal plant. It is also widely used as a home remedy and helps with ailments such as skin problems. For that it can aloe vera-Gel applied to the affected area of ​​skin and rubbed in. It has a cooling effect, relieves itching and moisturizes the skin. The plant is said to have a cleaning and moisturizing effect, especially for sunburn and acne as well as neurodermatitis, but it is also said to help with dandruff and hair loss. However, a scientifically meaningful study on the actual healing effect on inflammatory skin diseases such as neurodermatitis and psoriasis has not yet been carried out.

the inner aloe vera-Use with caution: The aloe vera-Juice contains the substance aloin, which can lead to diarrhea, irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and disturbances in the electrolyte balance if overdosed. Aloin-free gel can relieve non-specific irritant symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract, but should never be taken without medical supervision. who aloe vera himself reaps and the won aloe veraIf you want to use the gel internally, you have to be very careful, let the aloin-containing juice bleed out carefully and wash off. We advise against making your own aloe vera to eat. Store-bought aloe products are safer: with these, the toxic ones aloe vera-Ingredients removed.

tip: A list of edible houseplantsWe've put together a list for you that you don't need to worry about eating.

Jar with aloe vera gel
Homemade aloe vera gel can have healing properties in many areas [Photo: Songdech Kothmongkol/ Shutterstock.com]

Preserving aloe vera gel

If you want to harvest a lot, you should aloe vera- Make the gel durable afterwards. Untreated, it should only be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days before it is consumed. The easiest option is to freeze it: that's what it's for aloe vera-Gel placed in an ice cube mold in the freezer - so you can always fall back on handy portions. Alternatively you can aloe vera further processing and adding natural preservatives such as vitamin C to the gel. In addition, 1 gram of commercially available vitamin C powder from the drugstore with 100 grams aloe vera-Gel to be mixed.

Not sure how to best take care of aloe vera? We tell you everything about the correct watering and fertilizing of aloe vera.