How to Extract Aloe Gel

Aloe is a succulent plant, closely related to the cactus. Aloe has been used for centuries for its curative powers. It is soothing to the skin, especially on burns and is also taken orally for ulcers, asthma and radiation treatment. Extracting your own gel from an aloe plant gives you a homegrown supply.

Instructions

• 1

  Cut a large leaf off a mature aloe vera plant using a sharp knife. Cut as close to the base of the plant as possible. Hold the leaf upside down for several minutes to allow the red resin to drain out.

• 2

  Place the leaf on a cutting board and slice off the top layer of skin from the leaf cutting as close to the surface of the skin as possible to retain the gel.

• 3

  Cut off the remaining skin by propping the leaf up on the cutting board and holding the knife at a 45 degree angle. Saw at the leaf skin to remove it.

• 4

  Slice any excess gel away from the skin by pushing the skin down on your cutting board to make it flat and running your knife along the skin to remove the excess gel.