Quck answer
To extract aloe from aloe vera plants, follow these steps:
1. Select a mature aloe vera plant with thick leaves.
2. Cut off a leaf close to the base using a sharp knife.
3. Stand the leaf upright for 10-15 minutes to allow the yellow resin, called aloin, to drain out.
4. Wash the leaf thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
5. Use a vegetable peeler or knife to remove the outer green skin, exposing the clear gel inside.
6. Scoop out the gel using a spoon or knife.
7. Store the extracted gel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
8. Use the gel for various purposes, such as skincare, haircare, or treating minor burns and wounds.
The advantages of the aloe vera plant are widely recognized and have been acknowledged for centuries. If you’re not aware of them, here are a few, as mentioned by Medical News Today:
- Aloe gel consists of a beneficial combination of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Specifically, it contains polyphenols, which are among the most potent antioxidants found in nature.
- Aloe juice has laxative properties and is just as effective as chlorhexidine, the standard bacteria-fighting chemical found in commercial mouthwash, in preventing tooth plaque.
- Aloe gel treats burns, mouth ulcers, and dry skin.
- Aloe juice can lower blood sugar levels and can be beneficial for individuals with diabetes.
The gel contained inside the large, spiny leaves of the aloe plant is the part that possesses the medicinal properties. The plant is easy to cultivate and maintain, and to extract the gel, you simply need to cut open a leaf. However, if you want to efficiently extract the gel and obtain as much as possible from each leaf, you require a more complex method.
The “Fish Filet” Method for Extracting Aloe
A common approach to extracting aloe is to treat the leaf like a fish that you are cleaning.
Image Credit:
Noraloe
One of the most popular methods of extracting aloe involves cutting the leaf in half lengthwise, much like you would do with a fish before frying it. Once the inside of the leaf is exposed, you can use a knife or spoon to scrape the gel from the tough leaf casing.
However, this method has two issues. Firstly, large leaves are difficult to handle as they are irregularly shaped and covered in spines. Cutting them requires a large, sharp knife, and there is a risk of accidentally cutting yourself.
The other problem is that each leaf has a thin layer of latex between the outer casing and the gel. When you scrape the gel, you are likely to get some of the latex as well. This yellowish sap has potent laxative properties, and if you plan on juicing the gel to lower blood sugar or soothe your stomach, you’ll want to avoid including this sap in your juice. In such cases, it is better to use a different method to extract the gel. However, if you are consuming aloe specifically to relieve constipation, which is one of the reasons people use this medicinal plant, you will want as much of the sap as possible, so scrape as close to the leaf casing as you can.
Using a Fruit Peeler to Extract Aloe
Just like cucumbers, a fruit peeler can be used to extract aloe gel from the leaves.
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Amazon.com
When it comes to removing the peel from an apple or cucumber, a fruit peeler does the job quickly and effectively. The same goes for aloe leaves. After harvesting the leaf from the plant and washing it with clean water, use a sharp knife to cut off the spines. Place the clean and de-spined leaf flat on a table and use the peeler to gently remove the leaf covering, exposing the gel. This method allows for precise control over how much of the casing is removed, unlike using a knife or spoon to scrape the gel. After peeling, rinse the gel twice with clean water to remove any remaining latex sap, if necessary.
Slicing, Dicing, and Squeezing for Aloe Gel Extraction
Cutting the leaf into small pieces makes it easier to remove the casing.
Image Credit:
Madeleine_Steinbach/iStock/GettyImages
If you need aloe gel for treating burns or sores, the extraction process can be simple. Cut the leaf into small sections and squeeze out the gel into a bowl or your hands. In a pinch, you can even use one of the cut-off sections to directly apply aloe to the affected area.
If you have some time to spare, the easiest extraction method is to cut the leaf into three or four smaller sections and let them stand upright over a bowl for a few hours. The gel will naturally drain into the bowl. Once you remove the yellowish latex, you can use the gel for cooking or blend it to create a frothy mixture for drinking or incorporating into lotions and body rubs.
