Aloe Plant Leaf Preparation

Most Americans are familiar with the emerald-green, spiky rosette of the semi-tropical Aloe vera plant. A common houseplant, the plant boasts a long, illustrious history whose medicinal benefits are recorded from ancient times. If you have an aloe in your home (or a leaf from the market), you might be wondering about the best method to access the gooey goodness inside.

Choosing A Leaf

• When you're choosing an Aloe vera leaf to prepare, always use the lowest leaves first. Leaves that are closest to the ground are larger and slightly drier, so the juices are more concentrated.

  The choice to use the bottom leaves has aesthetic repercussions as well; since the aloe plant grows out from its center and removed leaves do not grow back, removing only the bottom leaves allows the plant to keep its good looks. Removing center leaves can also affect growth of new leaves.

Accessing The Gel

• Once you're holding an Aloe vera leaf in hand, peel the spiky edges with a small, sharp paring knife. Then, with a motion similar to that of filleting a piece of fish, slice the leaf widthwise (the narrow way, not the long way). That will cut open the lengthwise cells of the leaf that contain the gel.

Preparing To Apply Topically

• There are a few ways to prepare the leaf for topical application to the skin. The first of these is to simply rub the dethorned, "filleted" leaf directly onto the skin. The second is to use a downward, "milking" motion to push gel out of the cut cells and into a clean, non-reactive (preferably glass) bowl. This works best if you're preparing several leaves for application to a large surface area. The third method is to squeeze small sections of leaf directly onto irritated skin areas.

  Even though pure aloe is very gentle, it only belongs on the skin's surface--avoid contact with your eyes, mouth and the inside of your nose.

Boiling

• Sufferers of asthma, chronic bronchitis, sore throat and chest colds, take note: inhaling the steam of boiled aloe is a remarkably effective old household remedy for respiratory ailments. Aloe vera's soothing properties are transferred to the respiratory system through the steam. To prepare Aloe vera leaves for boiling, simply "fillet" three or four leaves in a pot of purified water and boil. To use, pour the steaming mixture into a bowl and inhale the steam that rises from the liquid, keeping your head about 6 to 10 inches from the water. You may place a towel over the head, if desired, to contain the steam.

Warning

• Note that some people are allergic to Aloe vera. As with any first aid treatment, it's important to find out if you have an allergy before treatment--especially since it may cause a reaction that worsens, not soothes, your symptoms. Before preparing your leaves, cut a very small sliver from a bottom leaf. Squeeze its juice on the inside of one elbow or behind one ear. If the juice causes a rash or stinging sensation, do not proceed with treatment.

  Diabetics should not ingest Aloe vera unless monitored by a physician, as a compound in the juice might cause an insulin reaction.