When my kids were growing up, I often had an aloe vera plant decorating a table or a window sill. This easy-to-grow succulent is best known for sunburn relief. Its cooling effect and healing properties minimize skin peeling and help relieve burn pain.

Aloe Vera Heals the Outside of the Body

I love that this plant is both decorative and functional. It adds to my home decor and is a great way to help heal, hydrate and soothe skin irritation. On top of that, aloe vera gel can be used for bug bites and wound care. To use it: clip a lower leaf from the plant with scissors. Then slice the leaf open and apply the hydrating gel to your burn, rash, bug bite or small wound. This gel is deeply hydrating, so I save any extra gel and apply it to my face before bed.

Some of the many varieties of aloe vera are edible, however, it is not recommended to consume the gel from your household plant.

Aloe Vera Heals the Inside of the Body

The healing effects experienced on the skin also apply to the inside of the body. According to Anthony William, the Medical Medium, aloe vera taken internally has a deep healing capacity. Here is a list of the healing benefits associated with eating aloe vera:

• Purifies the blood
• Reduces inflammation
• Eases arthritis pain
• Prevents kidney stones
• Lowers cholesterol
• Prevents Candida
• Boosts physical endurance
• Benefits cardiovascular health
• Protects from oxidative stress
• Soothes ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis, diverticulitis, colitis & IBS
• Helps with recovery from fatigue
• Aids in muscle function
• Optimizes the utilization of vitamins, minerals and enzymes
• Soothes acidosis and alkalinizes the body

Because of the miraculous healing power of aloe vera, I consume about 2 inches daily to deepen the healing of my digestive system. The antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties make it the perfect medicine to kill off any troublemakers and deeply heal my gut.

Preparing Fresh Aloe Vera

I get the best price when I purchase fresh aloe leaves at a local international market. The leaves can also be found at grocery stores, health food stores, or you can purchase bottled aloe vera juice. When buying premade juice or gel, be sure it contains no additives or preservatives like citric acid, which is irritating to both the stomach and intestinal tract and creates inflammation. (It’s best to avoid eating anything with citric acid in it.) Discard any gel that is turning pink, and do not eat the outer green skin. I cut off about 2 inches of aloe leaf, scoop out the gel, and consume it immediately. The video below shows how easy it is to remove the gel from the aloe leaves.

Aloe Vera Recipes

The aloe vera gel can be added to your smoothie or blended with water, honey and citrus fruits in the blender. Here are two yummy ways to consume aloe vera gel:
Aloe Cooler
2 oranges, juiced
1 cup coconut water
¼ aloe leaf gel (about 2 tablespoons)
Blend in blender

Aloe Lemonade
Juice of 1 lemon
16 ounces spring water
Honey to taste (1-2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons aloe gel
Blend in blender

For convenience, I recently started extracting the gel from the entire leaf and storing it in the refrigerator in spring water with a bit of maple syrup.

Aloe gel can be a little bitter, so adding maple syrup to the water helps with the bitterness. Only cut up as much as you can eat in a week. You can use the outer skins on your face, feet, hands or hair. Aloe gel applied to your hair will leave it amazingly soft. You don’t even need to rinse it out.

Aloe vera is an inexpensive hidden jewel that has powerful healing properties. Anthony William, in his book “Life Changing Foods, includes aloe vera as one of the top 50 most powerful healing foods. Aloe vera is anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. His article on aloe water states that aloe is also a natural antibiotic and reduces inflammation. Whether I’m trying a new recipe with store-bought aloe or using my houseplant on my skin, the healing properties of aloe have brought much healing into my life.

Please leave a comment and let me know how you have experienced the healing power of aloe vera.