Eating My Aloe Vera

I am eating my aloe vera plant these days - the big one I recently got from a friend - but there's a problem. The plant is so big and heavy it is leaning over, ready to break off at the root. I'm having to hurry up and eat it faster than I would normally go about it.

Last weekend I even scraped the gel out of 3 of those big fat leaves and put it in a jar for a friend who is tormented by shingles. So now Anna is eating my aloe vera too.

I don't have time every day, but several different days now I've cut a leaf off, wiped it down (the process is described on this eat-your-aloe-vera page), sliced it open sideways, and then scraped the gel out onto a long oval plate. Actually, in this case the leaves are so long I'm having to cut it into half or thirds and repeat this stage several times. Since I'm not quite as eager to gulp the gel down like my Dad did, I put it into my Vita-Mixer, and add some orange juice and buzz it. That's how I'm eating my aloe vera these days.

When people contact me via my Reach Me form they most often ask questions about the eating of aloe vera. Next to that, they are wondering where they can find these plants. Seems they are not as available in the quantities I have had at my place. That raises a serious question: when I can't find enough to be eating my aloe vera for good health, what can I do?

Ideally, growing our own aloe vera plants and eating the aloe gel from the leaves or using them for burns to skin, and many other problems would be a great first choice. But that presents a few challenges.

I've found some satisfactory alternatives.

Where to get the aloe vera plants?

I've been saying, let all your friends and relatives know that you are looking for aloe vera plants. Once word is out, when anyone wants to get rid of some (and they do tend to multiply well!), these friends and relatives will pipe up on your behalf, "I know someone who wants aloe vera plants." In a few months you may be turning some down. (Not if you know what's good for you!)

Some say you can ask for aloe vera at any nursery or greenhouse. Well, maybe I'm not looking hard enough, but the times I've checked, I haven't found many. That's why I say your network of friends and relatives is your best option.

Caring for your aloe vera plants?

I insist they are low maintanance when you just have a few. But when you have some in three different rooms in your house, and some at the office, the watering of your plants does get to be a chore. (No, I'm not complaining; just stating a fact).

Before eating my aloe vera -
I have to prepare it

I'm discovering these days that some mornings I do not have the time to do the cutting, scraping the gel, and blending with the orange juce before I leave for the office. I have to juggle my daily routines to make time for this. So today I'll do it when I'm making supper... but I can see that this can become a challenge for some individuals.

If this plant I got from my friend had a stronger root system I would not be in such a hurry to eat this aloe vera so fast. I'd try to make it last longer. (It is teaching me to make sure my other baby and intermediate plants get enough space for a strong base root).

It happens that this winter I was dealing with a great itch on the fronts of my lower legs from below the knee to the ankle. I think our dry, cold winter had a lot to do with it. The extra layers of clothing and socks was not helping either. But I found this aloe vera, both smeared on my legs at bedtime, and in the morning when dressing, and also orally eating my aloe vera through my juice blend was giving me relief. I'm truly grateful for the timing of this gift.

But what about you if you can't find any aloe vera plants? Or if you don't have time for the care of them, or the harvesting so you can benefit from them? What if, like me, you are going through them too fast; soon you'll have none left! Is there another alternative?

Aloe Vera Products

Fortunately, I have discovered some products that can meet those challenges. Not free, like having your own aloe vera plants, but these meet all the challenges of eating my aloe vera straight from the plant.

A couple of years ago I discovered Puritan's Pride, where I order my supplements, also carries aloe vera in capsules. I love their "buy 2 and get 3 more free" deal, which they repeat fairly frequently. Here's a link that zips you right to that page; Aloe Vera Capsules at Puritan's Pride

Just since this last Christmas I've discovered another company that produces a whole range of products with aloe vera in them. I'm still trying them out, but I think you'll want to know this and do your own checking out. Forever Living has locations in 120 countries, and although they've been selling through distributors the last 20 or so years, they are available online now with an excellent site that leaves little to be desired.

If you were able to buy these products in your local store the prices would be much higher. Short of mixing your own drinks as I do right now while I have this big plant (I may be finished with it by the time you see these words!) I doubt you could find a better deal.

I recommend ordering just a few items from Forever Living first to determine their quality and service in shipping, etc. Then, if you want to keep a steady supply coming, reach me privately, and I'll give you a tip for getting a much better price. I know how you can end up with 40% off their retail price. Smart, frugal shopping!

Their range of products includes aloe vera drinks, nutritional supplements, bee products, weight management, sonya cosmetics, skin care, and presonal care items. You can still try to get some aloe vera plants, but this way you can also keep stocked with ready to use, excellent quality methods of getting your aloe vera in the way you prefer.

For internal healing I'd order the juices,
for skin conditions - the gels and lotions in the personal or skin care sections,
for energy - try the bee products
for weight management - zero in on designated products.
Best of all, you can rest assured they have the highest quality aloe at stable quantities in all their products.

If you order your aloe vera juice there, you can also tell you friends, "I'm eating my aloe vera straight"

(Say, maybe I'll add a form here soon to allow us to compare experiences and notes about these products.)

Incidentally, I do have more photos of me eating my aloe vera at an earlier time.

More & Deeper

Aloe Vera Tips & Solutions - my monthly newsletter/ezine, which keeps you informed of new things on this site, and brings out a tip or solution to some problem you may be encountering. Subscribe today!

Aloe Vera Plants by Mail - First results of my experiment to see what's involved in sending aloe vera plants by mail, showing photos of the one that went the farthest and is the healthiest. Includes eight photos.

ALVEDAMA - Aloe Vera da Medeira - how the Cowens grow and sell their aloe vera on the island of Madeira, just off the coast of Portugal.

Aloe Vera Hair Tonic, Balsam and Gel - Peter Cowen of Calhoune, on the island of Madeira, shares a wonderful tesitmonial to their Aloe Vera Hair Tonic, Balsam and Gel products.

Aloe Vera, the Burn Plant - and how I proved it for myself with a second degree burn on my left hand on Easter Sunday. (A photo story).

Aloe Vera Aids Burn Treatment, Wound Healing And Scars - a guest article to explain some of the technical aspects of how this happens.

Freezing Aloe Vera - I've tried freezing the aloe vera gel, hoping to use it later, but that seems to kill the good stuff in it, as I found it looked too yukky when I tried to defrost it to use, however I discuss the pros and cons on this page.

Eating My Aloe Vera - just now I'm eating a large plant that is falling over in a hurry, but also thinking about help for those can't get access to such plants easily.

Back to Eden and Herbal Books Bookstore

Bacterial Vaginosis - and other vaginal irritations can be cured naturally for once and for all.

Plantain - thank God - it's so handy! - A review of the things I've learned about plantain and the many ways to use it as a healing remedy.

Calendula, Marigold - My discoveries and experiences with calendula and how to make an ointment from this herb.

Mint - the Refreshing and Soothing Herb - Mint is one of my most favourite herbs, especially for a refreshing tea that soothes away gas and pain and rattled nerves.

Comfrey - to Close up Your Wounds - Comfrey is the plant that can knit or close up your wounds and put you back together. Comfrey has an excellent effect on inward bruises and pains. A poultice of the fresh leaves is excellent for gangrenous sours, gangrene, mortifications, and moist ulcers.

Herbal Teas - Simple instructions for how to prepare herbal teas, and for different quanties, with links to many old recipes.

Specific Benefits of the Herbs in the Herbal Teas - A quick summary page of herbal benefits to check when deciding which herbal tea blend to make, and want to know what each herb may do for you.

Natural Arthritis Remedies - Natural arthritis remedies and suggestions for a cleanse of the toxins and poisons which cause that intense pain - which could cure you of all arthritis pain.

Odd Cure for Bad Breath - Bad breath can be prevented, perhaps even cured by drinking tea, plus a few other odd cures.

Teas for Colds and Flu Remedies - Recipes for infusions or herbal teas for colds and flu remedies.

Teas to Aid in Good Digestion - Recipes for herbal teas that will help to digest one's food better.

Herbal Teas for Energy and Memory - Recipes for herbal teas for energy and memory to give new vitality and improve your memory skills.

Teas for Relaxing, to Give You Rest - Recipes for herbal teas for relaxing, infusions that will make it easier for you to rest.

Herbal Teas that Heal - Recipes for herbal teas that are able to heal or improve symptoms of more specific health problems.

Teas That Heal - Brewing Recipes - More teas that heal - brewing recipes that have a similar brewing method..

Herbal Tea Remedy e-Book - ready to download

- Holistic Therapies for Animals - see what Dena Schwartz has found to work with animals as well as people.

Key Aloe Product Sources:
Forever Living AoK Puritan's Pride AoK Organic Ease, Inc.