Aloe vera is a plant found in various parts of the world that has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes both internally and externally. This plant is not only edible, it is used in several health drinks.
Identification
Aloe or aloe vera is a succulent, short stemmed plant, native to the Mediterranean region. The leaves of an aloe vera plant are thick and packed with juice that resembles clear gel. You can grow aloe vera as a houseplant or outdoors if you live in an arid climate. The plant is often praised for it's medicinal uses in treating wounds, burns and insect bites.
Uses
Aloe vera when eaten since has a mild bitterness to it, due to the presence of polysaccharides. The part most often eaten is the leaf. You prepare it by cutting off the desired amount, removing the thorns on the sides, filleting the leaf in half and scraping out the gel. The gel is also edible and can be used in drinks or as medicine to treat minor skin injuries. You can use the inner gel as a lotion or skin moisturizer.
Preparation
You can purchase aloe vera prepared as a drink or pickled in jars. However, if you have a live aloe vera plant, you can make your own preparatiobns. Mix it into lemonade by cutting open half of a leaf and removing the gel. Mix the gel into 1.5 liters of water with the juice of one lemon and one lime. Or simply eat the aloe on it's own. To prepare poached aloe, you need two large aloe leaves peeled and cubed, 1 cup of sugar and the juice of 1 lime. Add the cubed aloe, sugar and lime to a saucepan and heat on medium. Cook until the aloe is no longer slimy and has a plump consistency.
Nutrition
According to the Food Market Exchange, aloe vera contains vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-12, C, E, F, folic acid and choline. It also contains calcium, iron, potassium, copper, zinc and copper. In addition, these plants are a rich source of essential amino acids, enzymes and unsaturated fatty acids.
References
- Aloe Vera Nature's Soothing Healer; Diane Gage; 1996
- Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future; David Wolfe; 2009
- No Recipes: Aloe Vera Recipes
- Food Market Exchange: Aloe Vera Nutrition
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