Aloe vera is a natural source of topical antibiotics that can reduce both pain and inflammation. According to Union County College, aloe vera plants are members of the Lily family and believed to be native to the Mediterranean. The leaves of the aloe vera plant have been valued for years because of their healing properties. Aloe vera helps in healing sunburns, insect bites, cuts and scrapes. Grow an aloe vera plant in your kitchen window for quick access to the healing properties of the plant and to make homemade aloe vera gel.
Step 1
Choose the largest leaves from a healthy aloe vera plant. Cut the leaves from the bottom of the plant at an angle. Wash and dry each leaf and place them upright into a container with the cut ends down. Allow the leaves to drain into the container for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 2
Lay the aloe vera leaves on a cutting board. Use a sharp fillet knife to remove the tip and the side edges of each leaf. Slice through the center of each leaf to separate the top of the leaf from the bottom.
Step 3
Scoop the center gel and the surrounding mucilage gel from inside each leaf with a spoon. Use gentle pressure to not scoop any rind from the skin of the leaves.
Step 4
Add one drop of citric acid and the contents of one vitamin E capsule to each 1/4 cup of gel you extract. Mix the gel and other ingredients together and refrigerate in an airtight container.
Things You'll Need
- Container
- Cutting board
- Fillet knife
- Spoon
- Citric acid
- Vitamin E
- Airtight container
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