I have a confession. I have fallen in love with the aloe vera plant. I have used aloe vera off and on for skin ailments and cuts and scraps. My mom often had an aloe vera plant in the house and we would just cut off a piece when we had a cut, scrap or blemish. I have also purchased aloe vera juice and pulp from our local health food store. However recently I have come to LOVE it in my smoothies.
It is such a beautiful plant. You can try to find it in your local health food stores or organic grocery stores. This beautiful plant below is a small aloe that I have in my house. It is there for mostly decor and the occasional cuts and scraps.
My Little Aloe
Below is a large aloe vera leaf from my local organic grocery store. When you find out what aloe vera can do for your body you might want to source it out and give it a try.
It is considered a powerhouse. It is filled with a clear gel like substance that is loaded with nutrients such as Vitamin A, C and E. It also is a source of fibre and polysaccharides. It is useful for those with digestive issues such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a prebiotic, great for your joints, inflammation and tissue regeneration. It is also had cleansing and anti fungal qualities.
Gel like substance on the inside of an aloe vera plant
I have been loving aloe with citrus. Orange and aloe smoothies. Orange, grapefruit and aloe. Orange, goji berries and aloe. Lime and aloe. I can seriously go on and on. I think my body is telling me something. So I am listening and giving it as much aloe as it wants.
Aloe Vera in Smoothies
The aloe leaf pictured above is from one huge leaf. It costs about $3.oo for one large organic leaf that could be used for about 5-6 smoothies. Wash the outside skin of your aloe first. Then peel all of the green thick skin off. Making sure that it all has been removed! I have heard that the skin can be quite the laxative, so you want to carefully remove it. Then cut a fillet and pop it into your blender.
Fillet
Try mixing Aloe Vera into your life! I like mine with orange, grapefruit, lime and raw honey. You can actually mix it into any of your favourite smoothies.
ENJOY!
Oh and before you throw out the skin, flip it over and rub the aloe on your skin.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds very yummy! I have tried the aloe juice with pulp from the health food store, but have never bought the actual plant. I will have to source locally and see where I can get this! Looks amazing sister!
Thanks Erin,
Yes I hope you can find it. It is really easy to use and so great for our digestion. Let me know when you make yours:)
My “aloe cooler” that I make is coconut water, aloe gel, lime/lemon, and ice…it’s fizzy! I’m a fan—love your aloe drink idea
Hi Lisa,
Yes I remember you posting some aloe coolers. I have never tried it with coconut water but that sounds yummy. I am on a grapefruit and ginger aloe kick these days. However I will try your idea to.
Wonderful! I am so glad you posted this. Aloe is a wonderful gift from the Creator! Our family has 3 people who have Crohn’s and aloe is a biggie in the anti inflammatory department. I like blending it in fresh squeezed OJ too! I also put it in the children’s green smoothies.
Peace and Raw Health,
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
So great to hear that your family has been using this great plant for inflammation. You said it. It is such a gift. Great to hear that you are putting it in your children’s smoothies. I love that!!
I’ve only used the little leaves for burns. My mom taught me that and always used them on us as kids. Never tried it in a smoothie, though. I need to seek out one of those big leaves.
Hi Shannonmarie,
Great to hear that you used it for cuts and burns. I always grew up with it in the house too, however never tried it until many years later. I hope you can find the large leaves. I am sure some places can order them in for you to.
I love this! Our farmers market always has aloe plants–and I have an east facing windowsill! Seriously, this little plant had me at anti inflammatory and IBS:)
Great to hear this! Yes get some plants and they always look lovely in the house. For your smoothies you will want to look for organic leaves. Yes anything that is anti inflammatory and for digestion is great. It is also anti candida too. Let me know if you like it.
okay, so it is the skin that gives the laxative effect???!!! I will have to try this!!!
Hi Samantha,
Yes the skin is what you want to avoid.
Let me know if you like it.
Try juice (bought at my local natural foods store) coconut water and iced (cold brewed) green tea It is amazing, and I can’t get over how good it feels!
Elena,
Thanks for your comment. This sounds great. Love that you are using the green tea in there. Will have to try this.