Aloe vera is a nutritious and delicious addition to any drink. Or, if you’re looking for a nutritious and hydrating alternative to plain water, aloe vera is a great choice. Not only is it packed with vitamins and minerals, but it also has numerous health benefits.
So how do you make an aloe vera drink?
If you’re cutting the leaves from your garden, wash them well to remove all the toxic compounds. Extract the gel from the leaves and blend them in a juicer.
Let’s quickly look at the benefits of consuming aloe vera and how to make different kinds of aloe vera drinks at home.
Benefits of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that is native to North Africa, Madagascar, and the Mediterranean. It has long been used for medicinal purposes, with its leaves full of nutrients and antioxidants. Here are just a few of the benefits of aloe vera:
- It can help to improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
- It is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as minerals like magnesium, zinc, and potassium.
- It can help to boost the immune system and reduce the risk of certain diseases.
- It can help to keep skin hydrated and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- It can help to regulate blood sugar levels and improve heart health.
How To Make Aloe Vera Drink
Making an aloe vera drink is easy and requires just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel
- 2 cups of water
- 1/4 cup of honey or agave (optional)
- 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Pinch of sea salt (optional).
Here are some steps to guide you through making the best aloe vera drink from the comfort of your home.
Step 1: Cut Some Leaves
Head to your garden and cut some aloe vera leaves to use for the juice. Cut the leaves at the base, then cut each leaf at the tip and base again to get rid of the aloin at the tip and base of the leaves.
Aloin is a toxic compound that aloe vera secretes. If consumed in excess amounts, it can have various side effects: It can cause abdominal pain, electrolyte imbalance, and diarrhea. It can also cause uterine contractions, so pregnant women are advised to steer clear of it.
Aloin is the yellowish-brown sap you’ll often see in the outer green leaf of aloe vera. Although some people intentionally take aloin to increase their bowel movement, it’s unpredictable because different parts of the aloe vera leaf have different quantities of aloin.
Aloin can also cause allergies, but you’ll never know until you take it. Store-bought aloe vera leaves have had time to release all their aloin, but you’ll still need to wash them just in case.
Step 2: Cut Each Leaf
After you’ve cut your aloe at the tip and base, cut the teethed portions at the sides so it’ll be easier to cut each leaf and extract the gel. Also, cut each leaf in half because leaving them long will make it harder to skin.
Step 3: Wash Your Aloe
Get a bowl and dip your cut aloe vera leaves in water for 15-30 minutes. This will ensure all the aloin in the leaves seeps into the water. After some time, the water should appear yellow, indicating the presence of aloin.
If you’re using store-bought leaves, do the same process to ensure you have no aloin left in your aloe vera leaves.
Step 4: Extract the Gel
The next step is to extract the gel from your aloe vera leaves. Using a knife, tear each aloe apart and use a spoon to scrape the gel into a bowl. It’ll be messy, but it’s worth it. Leave no gel in the leaf because you’ll need everything you can get.
Be careful not to hurt yourself; aloe can be a bit tricky to cut. Cut it like fruit skin, cut out all the green parts of the leaf, and put all the gel you’ve extracted in a bowl.
Next, pour some water into the bowl and wash your aloe vera gel. This will wash away any remaining aloin from your gel, making it as clean as possible. Transfer your washed gel into another bowl, and you’re ready for the next step.
Step 5: Make the Drink
Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to make the drink. In a blender, combine the aloe vera gel, water, honey or agave, lemon juice, and sea salt (if using). Blend on high speed until all the ingredients are combined, and the mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into a glass and enjoy.
You can also add other fruits and vegetables to the drink for extra flavor and nutrition. The drink can be enjoyed cold or warm. You can also add a pinch of ground turmeric for additional health benefits.
The drink can be refrigerated for up to a week or more, so don’t worry about making too much.
Aloe Vera Juice Drinks
Aloe vera juice drinks are a tasty and refreshing way to get the health benefits of aloe vera. Here are three different recipes, each featuring a different type of fruit:
1. Pineapple Aloe Vera Juice
Here’s what you’ll need and instructions to follow.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple, diced
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup cold water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- In a blender, combine pineapple, aloe vera gel, honey, and lime juice. Blend until smooth.
- Add cold water and blend on low speed until combined.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour in pineapple aloe vera juice.
- Enjoy.
2. Watermelon Aloe Vera Juice
Here’s what you’ll need and instructions to follow.
Ingredients
- 1/2 of a large watermelon, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)
- Ice cubes -Water (optional)
Instructions
- Place the watermelon cubes in a blender or food processor and pulse until it reaches a smooth consistency.
- Add the aloe vera gel, honey (if desired), and a few ice cubes. Pulse until the ingredients are fully blended.
- If the juice is too thick, add some water until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator. Enjoy your refreshing watermelon aloe vera juice.
3. Orange Aloe Vera Juice
Here’s what you’ll need and instructions to follow.
Ingredients
- 2 oranges
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)
- 1 cup of water
Instructions
- Peel the oranges and separate the sections of the fruit.
- Place the orange sections in a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the aloe vera gel to the blender and blend again until evenly mixed.
- Add the honey (optional) and blend until incorporated.
- Add the water to the blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and frothy.
- Pour the juice into a glass and enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Aloe vera is great for the body and skin, and now you know how to use this plant for many things. If you’ve had an aloe vera plant sitting in your garden for a while, it’s time to start cutting.