How to Eat Aloe Vera

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Aloe vera can soothe sunburned skin, but does it help to eat or drink it? Some claim eating aloe vera can relieve a number of common health conditions, including heartburn, constipation, ulcers, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. While clinical evidence to support these claims is sparse, aloe vera is a common food source in many cultures, particularly in Asia and Latin America. [1] Here, we'll tell you what you need to know to choose the right aloe vera variety, prepare it, and add it to your favorite recipes.

1

Use the barbadensis Miller variety of aloe vera.

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    Even without the name, you can identify it by its thick, wide, fleshy leaves. The leaves grow upright, and the plant produces yellow flowers. [2]
    • Non-edible aloe vera is referred to as the "chinensis" variety—so if you're getting aloe vera to eat, don't pick that one!
    • Edible aloe vera can also be found in some grocery stores and Latin American markets. If you find it in the produce section, it's the safe-to-eat variety. [3]
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2

Keep portions small or add aloe vera to existing recipes.

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    Aloe vera is a laxative and can cause some uncomfortable digestive side effects. You might not have a problem with smaller portions, however. Adding small amounts of aloe vera to other recipes can also help minimize this effect. [4]
    • There haven't been a lot of studies done on what constitutes a healthy or safe amount of aloe vera gel to consume, but it isn't much. A little (meaning a quarter-teaspoon or less) goes a long way.
    • If you're buying commercially prepared aloe vera products, follow the label's instructions regarding serving size. These products typically contain less than 10 ppm (parts per million) of aloe-derived material. [5] This isn't something you can eat a lot of!
    • Keep aloe vera as an occasional treat. There is also some evidence that eating aloe vera regularly (for as little as 3 weeks) can lead to acute hepatitis. [6]
3

Cut the leaves into sections.

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    The spikes, narrow bottom, and top-third of the leaf aren't edible, so you can dispose of these. Then, cut the leaf into 2 or 3 sections so it'll be easier for you to remove the gel. [7]
    • Your sections don't have to be any particular size—you just want them to be manageable as you scrape the gel out.
    • If you want to use the leaves in cooking, you can always cut them into smaller pieces once you get the gel out.
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4

Remove the gel from the leaves.

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    You'll notice that one side of the leaf is flatter than the other. Slice off that side and you'll see the translucent gel just below the surface. Use a spoon or knife to scrape the clear gel out of the leaf. A vegetable peeler will also work if you have one of those. This process is known as "filleting," and once you get good at it, you'll be able to smoothly remove the gel in one piece. [8]
    • Always rinse off the gel with water to get rid of all the latex (yellow sap). Aloe vera latex is a powerful laxative, so you don't want to eat that!
5

Rinse the latex off the leaves or gel.

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    Hold your leaves or gel (whatever you're planning to consume) under cool running water to rinse off the latex. You can place them in a colander so they drain easily—just make sure you move them around so you're thoroughly rinsing all sides. [9]
    • Taking just 1 gram of aloe vera latex can lead to kidney failure and even death. At best, you'll suffer severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea. [10]
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6

Mix the gel with water or juice to drink it.

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    Aloe vera gel itself doesn't really have a strong taste, so it likely won't change the flavor of your water or juice very much (if at all). Because of its thickness, it might slightly change the texture and viscosity, though. [11]
7

Blend aloe gel into a smoothie to disguise it.

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    Cool aloe vera gel has a refreshing taste that works well in smoothies, particularly if you're kicking a recipe up a notch with a little spice. The relatively mild flavor typically won't change the balance of your favorite concoction, although you might want to go easy on the aloe gel at first just to make sure. [12]
    • Sweet fruits that have a stronger flavor can help mask the taste of aloe vera if you find it slightly bitter.
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8

Use chilled aloe gel in chip dips to balance heat.

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    Before you mix them up with your other ingredients, rinse your gel cubes off again so they aren't too slippery. The refreshing, "green" taste of aloe vera gel provides a nice cooling effect when mixed with peppers and spices that pack a little heat. [13]
    • Aloe gel doesn't have a very strong taste, so it shouldn't change the flavor of your dip very much. Still, you might find that you need to adjust your seasonings after adding it.
9

Serve poached aloe gel over yogurt for a milder flavor.

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    Use 1 cup (about 201 grams) of sugar and the juice of 1 lime. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the aloe vera gel cubes are as firm as grapes and the liquid is no longer slimy. This usually takes around 10 minutes. [14]
    • When your poached aloe gel is done, place the cubes on top of a bowl of your favorite flavor of yogurt and it's ready to eat!
    • Cooked aloe vera has a milder taste, so you might prefer it this way if you find the taste of raw aloe vera too bitter for your palate. [15]
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10

Add aloe vera leaves to salads or salsa for crunch.

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    While the spikes aren't edible, the rest of the leaf is—just make sure you run water over it to rinse it off. Then slice it in thin ribbons, cube it, or grate it. [16]
    • Aloe vera has a cooling flavor, which makes it a natural fit in spicier salads or salsas that pack a little heat.
11

Buy commercial aloe vera juice or water.

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    Removing aloe vera gel from the leaves of the plant isn't difficult, but it does take a little bit of work. If you'd rather go with a ready-made option, most health food stores have bottles of aloe vera juice or water. [17]
    • Aloe vera juice is simply aloe vera gel mixed with fruit juice (usually citrus). Check the label to see what's included in the drink before you buy it.
    • You can drink the juice or water straight from the bottle or mix it into your favorite smoothie.
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12

Watch for uncomfortable side effects.

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    It can also cause skin irritation or hives, especially if you have an allergy to plants in the lily family, such as onions or tulips. If you notice any of these side effects, stop eating aloe vera immediately. [18]
    • Don't eat aloe vera if you're pregnant or nursing. It could harm your baby. [19]
    • Since aloe vera is also a laxative, it might interfere with your body's ability to absorb any medications you're taking. If you're on a medication for a chronic condition, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor before you eat or drink aloe vera. [20]

Recipes with Aloe Vera

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I apply aloe vera to my scar even if I don't have honey?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    Yes. The aloe vera will still help improve your skin's condition even without honey.
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      Tips

      • Store fresh aloe vera in an air-tight container in the fridge. It'll stay good for about a week. [21]
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      Warnings

      • If you're considering eating aloe vera to treat a health condition, talk to your doctor first—they'll let you know if it's safe and can suggest other options if it's not. [22]
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      • Many of the alleged benefits of eating aloe vera aren't supported by scientific evidence. Eat aloe vera at your own risk with the understanding that there are concerns about long-term use. [23]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
      2. ↑ https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2019/04/16/identifying-and-growing-edible-aloe-vera/
      3. ↑ https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/recipes/2020/10/18/curious-about-using-aloe-vera-in-cooking-heres-how-to-butcher-and-prepare-it.html
      4. ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
      5. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/aloin
      6. ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
      7. ↑ https://goodfoodlife.fullcircle.com/2755-2/
      8. ↑ https://goodfoodlife.fullcircle.com/2755-2/
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3551117/
      1. ↑ https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/aloe.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.shape.com/weight-loss/food-weight-loss/ask-diet-doctor-truth-about-aloe-vera-juice
      3. ↑ https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/recipes/2020/10/18/curious-about-using-aloe-vera-in-cooking-heres-how-to-butcher-and-prepare-it.html
      4. ↑ https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/recipes/2020/10/18/curious-about-using-aloe-vera-in-cooking-heres-how-to-butcher-and-prepare-it.html
      5. ↑ https://norecipes.com/poached-aloe-recipe/
      6. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/how-to/cooking-questions/how-to-eat-aloe-vera
      7. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/how-to/cooking-questions/how-to-eat-aloe-vera
      8. ↑ https://www.shape.com/weight-loss/food-weight-loss/ask-diet-doctor-truth-about-aloe-vera-juice
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6349368/
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
      11. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/august/aloe
      12. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/how-to/cooking-questions/how-to-eat-aloe-vera
      13. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/august/aloe
      14. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To eat aloe vera, start by cutting the leaves into 3-4 inch sections. Then, cut off the spiky side and the flat green skin from each section, which you don’t want to eat. Once you’ve removed the skins, use a spoon to scoop the gel out and store it in a container, which you can use as a lotion later. After you’ve removed the gel, wash the remaining plant to get rid of any dirt and debris. If you don’t want to eat the plant raw, try blending it into a smoothie or adding chunks to your favorite salad. For more tips, including how to use aloe vera gel in healthy recipes, read on!

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