Making My Aloe Vera Juice

The Aloe Vera plant is considered a miraculous plant with a lot of healing properties and has been used for ages in beauty and healthcare industry. It is used widely in a lot of hair and skin products.

Ever tasted the juice? Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrk!! I remember one of my grandmas’ used to cultivate it in our backyard and made all sorts of concoctions out of it for both internal and external use. That was some years back when I only used to watch in awe and never really cared to know about the properties of the plant. I thought it was for the elderly and though I heard young ladies used it for pimples and acne or as a facial scrub, I didn’t want to have much to do with it because of the bitter taste it left on your fingers when you harvested it!!

I recently learnt that the bitter taste is from the outer surface and not the juice itself! Tried and tested and proven to be true by moi. Though the juice can be ingested, I am more interested in the external use of Aloe Vera juice or gel on the hair for now.Now I looooooooooooooooove Aloe Vera and I’ve been using it for my hair for some months now. Some benefits of Aloe Vera for hair summarised are:

·         Promotes hair growth

·         Balances PH of hair

·         Reduces and heals scalp irritations

·         Adds strength and sheen to hair

·         Relieve dandruff and itchiness

·         Retains moisture and water in hair

·         Combats hair loss and thinning

·         Repairs dry, damaged and frizzy hair

·         Rids hair of excess oil or sebum

I spent some hours on Saturday (sorry the date usually updates on the camera, didn't notice it was a day late) making a big batch of Aloe Vera Gel after harvesting some plants at my aunt’s place. Her plants thrive better than mine and anytime I go for a visit, I bring back at least 2 bunches and make a huge batch of aloe vera gel. Though it is always better to use the gel or juice fresh, it can be stored in the fridge for some days or the freezer for up to 8 months.

Check out my picture story of how I made my Homemade Aloe Vera Gel.....Part 1. I will roll out the recipes after a week when you're sure to have made your own batch or bought some from the stores.

After washing the leaves, I cut them off the roots and  into smaller pieces for easier handling. I use old pans and bowls cos there is a bitter taste in the green part of the leaf.

I then slice it open along the bottom side.

I am very careful to slice as close to the edge as possible.

I then use a spoon to scoop the pulp.

I leave none to waste...i scoop as much as i can from the leaf....lol!

There I have my pulp which I will blend later. I had enough juice to use for now in my spritz so I put the pulp in the freezer. I will blend the rest later. Caution: Be careful to use only the clear flesh inside. The skin and the yellow substance may irritate the skin( I have never experienced this though). I enjoy making this!!

 


Cheers,
Star.