Content

• Steps
• Advice
• What you need

Aloe vera has many different uses - people use aloe to apply it to the skin to soothe sunburns, make masks for the face and hair, and even as a health drink. You can buy aloe from a grocery store or pick the leaves of a home-grown aloe plant. But what will you do after picking aloe? Cut, peel and freeze the aloe so you can use it anytime. You can also mix aloe vera with honey to moisturize your hair and face.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preserving a whole leaf aloe

1. 

   Keep the aloe vera leaves in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Wrap the aloe leaves in plastic wrap, carefully covering the ends of the cut leaves. When you need to use it, simply remove the wrap and begin the steps to take aloe vera gel.
   • Use a marker to date the wrap to see how long aloe leaves have been in storage before use.

2. 

   
   
   Freeze the aloe leaves for long-term storage. Just store the aloe leaves in the freezer bag and put them in the freezer. Aloe leaves will retain the best texture and flavor (if you plan to eat them) for 6-8 months after freezing, although the leaves are technically good for much longer.
   • For better storage, you can wrap the aloe leaves in plastic wrap before placing them in the freezer bag.

3. 

   
   
   Thaw the aloe on a kitchen table. Wait for the aloe leaves to reach room temperature; defrosting takes about 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the leaves.
   • Never microwave aloe leaves - aloe leaves will change their texture and significantly lose their health benefits!
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Method 2 of 3: Take the aloe vera gel and store

1. 

   
   
   Wash the aloe leaves under cool, running water. You can use store-bought aloe leaves or pick them from home-grown plants. Wash off any dirt or dirt on the leaves, then pat dry with a paper towel.
   • If you are using a plant-cut aloe leaf, stick it in a cup or jar for about 15 minutes before moving on to the next step. This will allow the aloin (red / yellow liquid) in the aloe leaves to drain. Aoin can cause diarrhea and other stomach problems if swallowed.

2. 

   Cut off the head and tail. Use a clean cutting board and a sharp knife to cut off the top and tail (where it used to stick) of the aloe leaf. These portions do not contain a lot of usable gel.
   • Take care when handling the aloe leaves so that the spikes on the sides of the leaves don't get in your hands.

3. 

   Strum out both of the aloe vera's spiny leaf edges. Place the aloe leaves on the cutting board. Stripping off the two spiked edges of the leaf by slitting the leaf length with a knife. Try to cut back so that you don't lose too much of the intestine.
   • Use a small sharp knife instead of a large stove knife to make it easier to handle.

4. 

   Peel the aloe leaves with a vegetable knife. Place the aloe leaves close to the cutting board and use a knife to cut the vegetables from the top to the ends. Slightly lower the base of the leaves to remove each part of the outer bark until the end. Turn the other leaf over and trim likewise.
   • Once finished, the green skin outside the aloe leaves has been peeled off, leaving only the translucent gel in the middle.
   • If there are still streaks of green peel that have not been fully peeled off with the vegetable knife, be careful using the knife thoroughly.
   • The aloe leaves will be sticky and slightly viscous. Try to keep the handle of the knife as dry as possible so that it won't slip when you sharpen it.

5. 

   Cut fresh aloe vera gel into pomegranate seeds. Use a knife to cut the aloe vera into even pomegranate seeds, being careful not to cut your hand. At this point, you can cut the aloe to any size you want - the size of the pomegranate seed is perfect for adding to a smoothie or drink.
   • You can leave the aloe vera on the cutting board until all the leaves are cut, or pour it into the clean bowl next to it.

6. 

   Store fresh aloe vera gel in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Put aloe vera gel in a clean, sealed container in the refrigerator, then use it as cosmetics, drinks and soothe sunburn.
   • Label the box to remember the date the aloe was in good health.
   • If the 10 days are up and the aloe vera gel is still on, you can freeze the rest to avoid wastage!

7. 

   Store the aloe vera gel in small zippered bags if you want to freeze it. Depending on how long you plan to use aloe (such as adding it to smoothies or drinks, making cosmetics or soothing a sunburn), you can store aloe vera gel in small, zippered bags.
   • Aloe vera gel can sometimes discolour when frozen. Put vitamin E in aloe vera gel to prevent this phenomenon.
   • You can also grind the aloe vera gel for 30 seconds and pour it into an ice cube tray to freeze.
   • Be sure to write the name of the food and the date of freezing on the outside of the aloe vera gel bag before placing it in the freezer.

8. 

   Store aloe vera in the freezer for up to 8 months. When you first put the aloe vera gel in the freezer, do not put anything on top so that the aloe vera gel will not become crushed and distorted when frozen.
   • When many bags of aloe vera gel are frozen, try not to put too many bags in a narrow space. When frozen, the bags can stick together, and it will be difficult to pull out one to use.

9. 

   Thaw the aloe vera on the counter or use it while still frozen. You can add a few aloe vera gel pills to your smoothie. You can also thaw and mix with honey or coconut oil to make a hair and facial mask, or apply aloe vera gel to sunburns to help skin heal faster. There are so many ways to use aloe vera gel!
   • Never microwave aloe - it will change the texture and decrease its therapeutic effect.
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Method 3 of 3: Mix aloe vera with honey

1. 

   Blend the aloe leaves in a blender for 30 seconds. Buy aloe leaves from the store or pick them from home plants, peel, cut the seeds and grind them in a blender to puree them.
   • While grinding is not required, this step will make it easier to blend with the honey, and the texture will have a smoother texture.

2. 

   Measure the amount of aloe you have. Use a food scale or measuring cup to divide the amount of aloe vera you are using, then place the measured aloe vera gel into a clean bowl.
   • If you are using a food scale, simply place a clean bowl on the scale and weigh the aloe vera right in the bowl so that it does not stick to another dish.

3. 

   Mix the aloe vera with an equal amount of honey. Use 100% natural honey that can be found at a health care store or grocery store. Put honey in the aloe bowl and mix with a spoon until well-blended.
   • Honey is a great product for aloe vera as it never goes bad. Mixing honey with aloe at 1: 1 ratio is also a way to increase the shelf life of aloe many times.
   • This is also a great way to preserve fresh aloe vera gel that is about to expire.

4. 

   Store the honey-aloe mixture in a sealed glass jar for up to 3 years. Place the mixture in a cool and dry place. Make sure the glass jar is clean and dry before storing the mixture.
   • You can divide the honey-aloe mixture into small jars as gifts. Label beauty and add on other cosmetics to create a lovely spa set.

5. 

   Use a honey-aloe mixture for facials or as a drink. You can use a honey-aloe mixture to clean up acne, make a moisturizing hair mask, and add it to a hot tea or smoothie every morning to increase sweetness.
   • You can even use honey - aloe for baking. If a baking recipe contains honey, simply replace the honey with this mixture.
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Advice

• Add lemon juice to aloe vera gel to increase shelf life and create a fresh citrus fragrance.
• You can find aloe leaves at health food stores, or buy home-grown aloe plants so you can harvest the gel yourself whenever you need it!

What you need

Preserving the aloe vera leaves

• Food wrap
• Frozen plastic bag

Take aloe vera gel and store

• Aloe leaves
• Tissue
• Chopping board
• Sharp knife
• Vegetable knife
• Small bowl (optional)
• Closed vial
• Zippered bag

Mix aloe vera with honey

• Peeled aloe, cut pomegranate seeds
• Blender
• Measuring cup
• Food scale (optional)
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Closed glass jar