Aloe Vera Purple Inside

by Sarah
(Melbourne, Australia)

Hi

I have been using Aloe Vera on my skin for years, but this was always from a plant my mum had, which had a clear gel (sometimes yellow/light brown colour in it) which I know is normal.

But when I bought a plant myself, I cut it open and it had clear gel, but also a purple 'liquid', kind of like a purple juice on the leaf walls, not in the gel. Is this normal? and is this plant still ok to use for skin care, sunburn etc..?

kind regards
sarah


Hi Sarah,
Wow, I've never seen purple in that stuff called ambertose - which, as you say, is in the walls of the leaves. My first guess is that it is from a slightly different plant in the aloes family or species.

Let's hope that someone who has experience with this will comment here and let us know for sure.

Personally, I'd take a positive view and just treat it as something unique - like flowers of a new shade of colour.

Blessings & Thanks,
Ruth

P.S. Are you able to comment and attach a photo of a cut leaf?

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Jan 25, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My Guess - and Appeal to Others with More Information or Suggestions
by: Ruth

Wow, Shanelle!
this is very new information for me! The very first time I've heard of it. I've just been to check in Google for information, and apparently there is stuff about it, and varies ways to treat it.


I found one website that said:

"Does aloe vera kill Malassezia?
The results of the present study showed that Aloe vera had satisfactory antimicrobial activity against clotrimazole-resistant Malassezia furfur isolates in vitro and that its antimicrobial activity increased upon increasing its concentration."

My guess - and this is no definitive word on this subject - but I would
think your aloe vera may be absorbing some of that Malassezia in an effort to overcome or heal it, and that may cause the colour change. I'd be curious to know if further treatments would out more of the bad infection, and eventually cure it.

I am open to hearing from others who have more experience with this, and can add further information or suggestions. I will see to do more research too. I sure would like to see a complete healing for you, Shanelle!

Blessings,
Ruth
Jan 25, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Malassezia and aloe
by: Shanelle

I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with malassezia but its a genus of fungi that is part of the natural skin flora and found on most animals. but in some circumstances can explode in numbers and cause issues like hypo/hyperpigmentation acne/excessive oily skin etc. I have two different aloe plants that have been in the same place and i've used them for years. recently i've been sturggling with malassezia and ive noticed that the aloe has a very crazy reaction to it. and after a minute or two it turns a bright purple/fuscia color. I'm assuming its due to the malassezia. I would love to know the exact scientific explanation as to how and why but i'm 95% sure this is whats causing the color change.

Mar 22, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Purple/Pink Aloe Vera
by: Anonymous

Hello,

I made my own batch of aloe vera a few days ago. 3 in 3 oz bottles to be exact - all from the same plant I've had in the same pot & same place for almost 10 years now. I housed them in plastic travel bottles (opaque color0 & washed them out first. These bottles have a pump that minimizes skin & air contact to avoid contamination.)

1st batch remained clear even though I still had a few bits of green shaved from the leaves.

2nd batch turned a bit pink at the top after 1 day & spread a little, but didn't take more than 1/5 of the bottle.

3rd batch looked clear as well, but after day 1 we noticed pink streaks in the top. Day 2 & 3 it fully spread throughout the bottle...even turning darker pink - almost purple. It is also more fragrant (like a watermelon) & less goopey...more water-like substance.

I've read there are many explanations for this, but none scientifically shown. Some include different species of plants, plant's adaptation to environmental conditions & how it's upkeeped.

There are no comments on potency or bacterial toxification identified based on color. Instead, a note of caution that the purple will stain/color your skin. So, it is best to avoid using the colored aloe vera for skin repair or ingesting. Instead, I would use the colored aloe for skin conditioning/moisturizing & removing dandruff. Nothing else.

Nature works in mysterious ways! Another note of caution - Keep refrigerated to keep bacterial counts at a minimum. ...and only for up to 10 days.

All of the above applies to pink, red, orange, purple streaks. Brown/Black colors - beware (as I've read). For me, I'd keep up to 30 days in the container I chose. I have kept store bought aloe for several years & used it when it turned brown.
Nothing happened to me except I reaped moisturization benefits. Given I have rosacea -
this rosy cheek condition, I'd say it's pretty safe.

Next time will opt to store in glass - no skin contact - container. Hope this helps!
Feb 25, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Is it still good?
by: Anonymous

I picked my the aloe plant from my backyards when the leaves were green and the inside clear. I then cut it open and placed the gel into a jar and closed it and left it for hours, when i went back to use it on my face, the gel was purple. Is it still good??
Nov 16, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Purple aloevera
by: Ranjan

I bought aloe vera leaf. After one month it was purple. Can I eat or not?
Oct 07, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		thumbs up
by: Anonymous

that particular specie of aloe vera is what I'm looking for. I remember having that plant when I had major third degree grease burns on my arm. I immediately put the gel on the burn for about a week. To this say there is no detection of discoloration anywhere on y my arm So I have to give thanks to that particular strain of aloe vera.

Oct 03, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Purple Aloe??
by: AdoreeDeAsiaa

Why is the inside of my aloe plant purple?
Jun 21, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dead Aloe Vera Plant?
by: Anonymous

Well, I guess I should have read these comments before I took the scissors and chopped all but three peddles of my aloe Vera plant. I had it indoors and it didn't seem like it was doing so good. So being that the weather here is hot in NM, I thought it might do better outdoors. (Not A Good Idea) I kept watching for any changes. First day all the peddles drooped, today was the second day and it looked like it went into shock. It was purple. I thought I killed my poor Aloe! So, just brought it in took all the gel off and put it in a container and refrigerated it. It looks very bad. Very bad. I hope it lives 😶
Jun 21, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dead Aloe Vera Plant?
by: Anonymous

Well, I guess I should have read these comments before I took the scissors and chopped all but three peddles of my aloe Vera plant. I had it I doors and it didn't seem like it was doing so good. So being that the weather here is hot in NM, I thought it might do better outdoors. (Not A Good Idea) I kept watching for any changes. First day all the peddles drooped, today was the second day and it looked like it went into shock. It was purple. I thought I killed my poor Aloe! Do just brought it in took all the gel off and put it in a container and refrigerated it. It looks very . Very bad. I hope it lives 😶
May 04, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Please help!
by: Anonymous

Hello. I recently had a small pimple and picked at it (bad I know) my good friend told me to cut a piece of my aloe plant and use the gel to help it heal. While it did feel good and make the skin heal nicely, the affected area is now a dark purple :( I've seen other people online have this problem, do you know if it will go away? Thanks
May 03, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Juicing with brown juice of aloes
by: Anonymous

Hi, I would like to know if I can use the brown juice in my smoothie
Apr 13, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		purple aloe
by: mindi

I have huge aloe vera plant that has been repotted several times and is only getting bigger. When I lop off 1/2 the fronds/leaves to repot, there is dark purple liquid every where......makes a huge mess. Every baby from this plant also turns out huge when several months old. I have used it for burns, pets, and have eaten some. It is in sunny window indoors in central Texas. Hope this helps someone.
Mar 29, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Aloe vera turned my skin purple
by: babytoes

I burned my hand last night, and cut off some of the aloe plant I was given by a friend. I smoothed the gel on the burn, and it did a great job at taking away the pain. This morning, when I woke up, my thumb was purple! My husband was all ready to rush me to the ER until I explained it was the aloe. The purple washed off in the shower, but it was quite a surprise. I dis take some pictures, but don't know how to attach them to the message
Feb 22, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Purple in Aloe plant
by: Debbie

I have the purple on the leaves of a BIG Aloe plant. IT come on the plant when one of the leaves broke. Now that the other leaves have grown about 1 inch longer in size they have the dry purple stuff on it. I can wipe it off. It is not hurting the plant but it just looks weird. I have never seen it before. The other leaves of full of the clear liquid jell. The plant is thriving and growing like a weed. I have wiped it off the leaves and it is a red/purple look in the paper towel.
Jan 27, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Aloe
by: Anonymous

My aloe is also purple inside. I don't know how.
Jul 25, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Aloe Vera leaf is brown not clear on the inside
by: Anonymous

When I cut open my aloe vera leaf it was not clear but it was brown there was only about 3 inches of clear gel the rest was brown is the brown gel still safe to eat I plan on making fruit smoothies with the gel but I am unsure if I can use the brown gel?
Jul 08, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		my experience
by: Franchesca

well my grandma have this plant in her back yard and i picked 3 yesterday and remove it from the skin adding the gel into a bowl and use a spoon to break it up to smaller pieces and i cover it down and kept it in my room. The next day i open it to use it which is today it was purple there are some parts that are still chear but i have never seen it done this before so im not sure whether its a good sign or not but im still going to use it because Aloe vera isnt harmful so it being a different colour shouldnt either
Jan 31, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Aloe gel turned my skin purple
by: Anonymous

Hi! I have had hyperpimentation on my face for months and now recently some acne which I popped and I applied aloe from my plant and it turned my skin dark purple which looks worse than it did before, I am just wondering why and if it will go away!!
Jun 03, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Aloe Vera with Purple inside Heals too!
by: Ruth

Hi Sarah,
(sorry, I haven't been back in a while to check)
I'm glad of your report, and thrilled to know that even purple-gel aloe is healing.

I discovered that myself when I got second-degree burns on my hand at Easter, but my aloe vera healed it up perfectly.

[Story and photos on this page; https://www.aloe-vera-and-handy-herbs.com/aloe-vera-the-burn-plant.html - or click on the Burn Plant on the left menu].

We don't want to get burned again if we can help it, eh, Sarah? But great to know we have a good remedy at hand!

Blessings,
Ruth
Nov 22, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		purple
by: Sarah

Hi Ruth

I did try and take a photo, but camera not very good, really can not see colour.

Just wanted to add a bit of an update:
I did use the 'juice' on my skin for a burn on my upper lip from waxing (I used strip instead of hot wax and it really pulled my skin off, it was a quite a big patch too). I was worried that it would scar, was also worried that the purple stuff might change properties of aloe vera gel, but it definitely did not. After smothering area with the gel from these plants, throughout the day for 2 days, skin healed, can not tell there was any burn there at all now: )

regards
sarah

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