How to Eat Aloe Vera

Aloe vera can soothe sunburned skin, but is it beneficial to eat or drink aloe vera? Many people believe that eating aloe vera can cure some common ailments such as heartburn, constipation and gastrointestinal inflammation. While there is little evidence to support this claim, aloe vera is a common food source in many cultures, especially in Asia and Latin America. ^{[1] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source} In this article, we’ll give you everything you need to know about choosing the right aloe, how to prepare it, and add it to your recipes. your favorite food.

Table of Contents

Use Aloe Barbadensis Miller

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This is the species of aloe most often touted as having the most benefits. Even if it is not named, you can recognize this species of aloe by its thick, broad, fleshy leaves. The plant has leaves that grow vertically and has yellow flowers. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Inedible aloe is also known as “chinensis” aloe – if you want to buy aloe to eat, don’t choose this one!
Edible aloe vera is commonly available at some grocery stores and markets. If you find aloe vera at the produce counter, it’s edible. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Eat small servings or add aloe vera to recipes

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If you eat too much aloe, you can get cramps and severe diarrhea. Aloe vera is laxative and can cause some unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects. However, you should not have a problem if you eat small portions. You can also limit this side effect by adding only a small amount of aloe to recipes. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

So far there hasn’t been much research on the safe amounts of aloe vera as a food, but it’s generally not recommended. It’s best to use only a small amount of aloe vera (about 1/4 teaspoon or less).
If you buy processed aloe vera products, follow the serving instructions on the packaging. These products typically contain less than 10 ppm (parts per million) of aloe extract. ^{[5] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to the source} It’s not a food you can eat a lot!
You should only eat aloe vera as an occasional snack. There is some evidence that eating aloe vera regularly (for at least 3 weeks) can lead to acute hepatitis. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Cut aloe leaves into pieces

Remove the thorns and cut the aloe leaves into easy-to-handle pieces. The spines, pointed ends, and top third of the leaves are inedible, so you can discard them. Next, you will cut the aloe leaf into 2 or 3 pieces to make it easier to get the gel. ^{[7] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

You can cut the aloe vera leaf into as long as you want – just easily scrape the gel out.
If you want to use aloe leaves for cooking, you can cut them into smaller pieces once you have removed the gel.

Remove the gel from the leaf

Peel off the peel on the flat side of the aloe leaf to reveal the gel inside. You will see that the aloe leaf has one side that is flatter than the other. After peeling off the flat side of the aloe leaf, you will see the transparent gel underneath. Use a spoon or knife to scrape out the gel. A vegetable peeler also works if you have one available. This technique is called “filling,” and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll get the gel out easily in one piece. ^{[8] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Always wash the gel with water to remove the plastic (latex). Aloe vera has strong laxative properties, so avoid it!

Rinse the resin from the leaves or gel

Aloe vera is a very powerful laxative. Hold the aloe vera leaf or gel (depending on what you plan to eat) under cool running water to wash away the sap. You can also put it in the basket to make it easier to wash – just remember to flip it back and forth to clean all sides. ^{[9] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Just 1 g of aloe vera sap ingested can lead to kidney failure, even death. At the very least, you’ll have severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Mix aloe vera gel with water or juice to drink

Cut aloe vera gel into small cubes for easier blending or blending. Aloe vera gel doesn’t have a strong taste so it won’t change much of the taste of the water or juice (if any), but it can slightly alter the texture and viscosity of the water because of its consistency. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Mix aloe vera gel with smoothies to disguise the taste

Use chilled aloe vera gel to balance the heat of the dipping sauce

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Cut aloe vera gel into pomegranate seeds and refrigerate overnight, then add to your favorite recipes. Before mixing aloe vera with other ingredients, you should wash it again to remove the viscosity. The cool taste of aloe vera gel will create a cooling effect when mixed with chili peppers and other thermogenic spices. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Aloe vera has a rather mild taste so it doesn’t change the flavor of the dipping sauce much. However, you may need to re-season after adding the aloe vera.

Eat blanched aloe vera gel with yogurt if you like a mild taste

Place the chopped aloe vera gel in a saucepan along with the sugar and lemon juice. Use 1 cup (200g) of sugar and the juice of one lemon. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the aloe gel is firm like grapes and the liquid is no longer viscous. This takes about 10 minutes. ^{[14] X Research Source}

After blanching the sugar water, scoop the aloe vera gel over the yogurt bowl, and the dish is ready!
Cooked aloe has a milder taste, so you may prefer to eat it this way if you find raw aloe too bitter for your taste. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Add aloe leaves to salads or salsa for a crunchy taste

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Chop the aloe leaves or pods after removing the thorns. The thorns of the aloe vera are not edible, but the rest of the leaves are edible – as long as you remember to wash them. Thinly slice, dice or grate. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Aloe vera is cool, so it pairs well with a spicy salad or a hot salsa.

Buy water or aloe vera juice

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This is the easiest option if you don’t want to harvest your own aloe. Getting the aloe vera gel out of the leaves is not difficult, but it is a bit laborious. If you want to go for the processed version, there are also bottled aloe vera juice or juices available at health food stores. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Aloe vera juice is just aloe vera gel mixed with fruit juice (usually citrus juice). You should check the product label to see what’s in it before you buy it.
You can pour the aloe vera juice in the bottle to drink or mix it with your favorite smoothie.

Prevent unpleasant side effects

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Eating aloe vera can cause diarrhea and cramps. It can also cause skin irritation or hives, especially if you are allergic to plants in the lily family, such as onions or tulips. If you notice any side effects, stop eating aloe vera immediately. ^{[18] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Do not eat aloe vera if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can harm the baby. ^{[19] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Aloe is a laxative, which can affect your body’s ability to absorb the medication you’re taking. If you are taking medication for a chronic condition, talk to your doctor before eating or drinking aloe vera. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Advice

Store fresh aloe vera in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Aloe vera will keep good quality for up to 1 week. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Warning

If you’re considering eating aloe vera for a medical condition, consult your doctor first – he or she will let you know if it’s safe and can recommend other options if that’s not right. ^{[22] X Research Source}
Many of the supposed uses of aloe vera are unproven. Use caution when ingesting aloe as there are concerns with long-term use. ^{[23] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source}

Steps