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Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. It is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses.
Aloe Vera has many benefits.
One of the benefits of Aloe Vera is it’s EDIBLE? Eat aloe vera leaves raw or cooked. The outer green skin can also be eaten, but is bitter and tough. Removing the skin with a sharp knife leaves the meat and gel inside the plant; both are edible. Aloe is good poached or otherwise gently cooked. Fully cooked, it loses its slimy texture. Some people enjoy raw aloe as juice or by putting a chunk in their water.
Aloe Vera is edible and is incredibly effective for many afflictions. It’s not native to North America, but it’s been naturalized in many places. It’s readily in the southwest where the weather is warm and it is easy to grow in pots around the house. It is in the Asphodeloideae (Aloe) Family. They have succulent leaves that grow to 2 to 3 feet (0.6 meters to 0.9 meters) tall. The plant is stemless or has very short stems.
Aloe Vera leaves are thick, fleshy, and filled with gelatinous sap. The leaves grow in clumps, and are green to grey-green and may have white flecks on the leaf surfaces. The leaf margins are serrated with small white teeth. Flowers appear in the summer on a tall spike growing from the center of the plant. Flowers range in color from white and yellow to orange and red. The gel substance inside, is used as a relief for sunburns, wounds, and other minor skin irritations. But it also has internal uses.
External Use: If you split the leaf long ways and dig out the gel you can make a soothing salve to use directly on your skin. The gel can be bitter taken by itself, however, adding 1-3 ounces to some juice can relieve heartburn as well as irritable bowel syndrome. Taking it with each meal reduces acid reflux. In addition to that, it helps with the cramping, abdominal pain, gas, and bloating caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Safety Concerns: May cause irritation, so use with care, when using internally.
Bleeding Swollen Gums: Use as a extract it’s a safe and effective mouthwash that reduces swelling, and provides a soothing relief from bleeding gums. Just by adding the gel to the final rinse water and swishing it around, then holding it in the mouth for a minute, before spitting it out.
Lowers Blood Sugar in Diabetics: If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, taking two tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice or pulp extract daily can regulate your blood sugar levels by ingesting it.
Laxative: Gel relieves constipation but should be used sparingly.
Aloe Vera Gel, in addition to treating sunburns, is soothing to the skin and excellent for abrasions, eczema, and skin irritations as well as keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized when used in moderation. Long term or excessive use is not recommended due to the latex found in it. Do not use internally while pregnant. Do not use if you have hemorrhoids or kidney issues!
Salves are a useful way of applying to the skin. For treating burns, rashes, sore muscles, bites, wounds, skin irritations, nerve pain, eczema, arthritis and many more. Turning herbal oil infusions into salves provides a way to apply herbs and their mobile for when your not at home. You would’ve already had to turned the herb into an infused oil before you can make a salve, And here’s how:
Oil Infusions
Hot and cold methods for infusing herbs into oil below
Cold actually means room temperature. Takes time about 6-8 weeks. The Hot actually “warm” method of extracting herbs into carrier oil. Some herbs need the heat to extract and this is a faster way of shortening the length of time needed in case you need a remedy sooner. Be careful not to boil or overheat the oil, because it alters the chemical compounds of the herbal properties you are extracting.
The cold-infuse oil only dried herbs to start ,with some exceptions, as the moisture can make your oil turn rancid or mold. Many will work, I prefer olive oil. Other caster oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and a handful of others. “Cold” oil infusion:
1. Tear or crush the dried herbs then lightly pack into a clean, sterilized glass jar. Fill a glass jar a third full with the dried herb some herbs like cottonwood buds fill over half full.
2. Poor your organic olive oil over the herbs. Fill up to half inch from the top of the jar. Mix well, removing all air bubbles. Cap and label with herb and date.
3. Store for about 6-8 weeks. Make sure you don’t go longer than 8 -10 weeks or it may go rancid. You can kickstart certain herbs with a little heat by placing jar in water on low for a day or two then storing 6-8 weeks.
4. After 6-8 weeks strain out the herbs using cheesecloth or a tincture press. Make sure you squeeze the cloth to get all the herbal oil out. Pour into a clean, sterile, bottle or jar. This oil can be used directly for medicine or for making salves. Lasts about 1-2 years.
“Hot” Oil Infusion: To infuse oils using heat use a crock pot that has warm or very low settings or a water bath on stovetop. This works well when infusing several oils at ounce.
1. Tear or crush herbs then lightly pack into jar. Fill a third full with dried herb.
2. Pour your olive oil to just below half inch from top of jar. Mix well making sure you get all bubbles out Cap and label with herb and date.
3. Place glass jar in crock pot and cook on low for 4-7 days depending on the herb, making sure the water in your pot stays full. If using fresh herbs leave caps off the jars letting the moisture evaporate out and make sure no water gets in.
4. Ounce cooled, strain herbs using cheesecloth or tincture press. Pour into clean sterile jar. This oil can be used directly for medicine or for making salves. lasts 1-2 years.
Salve-Making
The quickest way for making herbal salves combines the infusion and salve-mixing steps into one. It uses a lot of dried herb. Combine your herbs and enough oil to cover the herbs in the top of a double boiler being sure there is water in the bottom half of boiler. Simmer a few hours( don’t overheat) about 100 degrees. Stir, cool slightly, and strain through cheesecloth . Pour back into boiler and add melted beeswax one fourth cup per cup of olive oil. Then add 15-20 drops or more of each of your essential oils for every 8 oz of oil. Vitamin E can be added to help rancidity. Mix well, pour into jars, and let set.
To make a simple salve out of your infused oil and beeswax:
1. Measure and pour your infused oil into the top part of a double boiler.
2. Add beeswax and melt. about 1 part beeswax to 4 parts infused oil mixture and common usage is one fourth cup to one fifth cup of oil. For 8 oz. of oil I USE 2oz of beeswax.
3. Mix together thoroughly until beeswax has melted.
4. Add 15-20 drops or more of each essential oils for every 8 oz of infused oil. Vitamin E can be added to help rancidity half teaspoon for every 16 oz oil. Add essential oils just before pouring.
5. Before you pour into your jars to set you may add just a few drops to your container to test the consistency. If it’s too hard add more oil and if it’s too soft add more beeswax. Then complete pouring, label, and date.
Herbs hold therapeutic advantages for your skin. They can greatly improve the cellular firmness and health of the skin. Below is a list of herbs, spices, and some other options that are nature’s gift.
Holy Basil: is an ancient Indian Ayurvedic botanical compound that has powerful antibacterial effects and the adaptogen effect of reducing metabolic stress. Lavender: has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it beneficial for those with skin irritation and inflammation. Turmeric: has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory benefits. Mixed with milk as a face pack will help you keep your skin youthful and bright.
Chamomile: Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, with the power to reduce redness, itchiness, and swelling, and it’s a great alternative to cortisone. Horsetail: A plant extract that boasts a large number of skin benefits. It contains rich levels of silicic acid, which helps strengthen connective tissues, and antioxidants that fight free radical damage. Calendula: repairs dry skin reduces acne scars or wounds and cures fungal infections that may cause acne or blackheads. Ashwagandha: Is rich in antioxidants, which help protect your skin against any free radicals. With regular consumption of ashwagandha, you can get youthful and glowing skin.
TIP: Aloe vera has been known for its healing properties for at least 6,000 years. It has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The Egyptians called Aloe the “Plant of Immortality” because it can live and even bloom without soil. A natural laxative and aids in digestion. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cooling properties that can provide a lot of relief from skin problems.