Sunburn savior: How to easily harvest and use your own Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the most powerful, soothing plants God created. Here's how to harvest it the clean way.
Living in Florida means we are blessed with endless sunshine. But if you’ve ever spent a little too much time working in the garden or relaxing by the pool without a hat, you know exactly how unforgiving that sun can be.
Before you run to the pharmacy to buy neon-green aftersun gel filled with artificial chemicals, take a look at your patio. Aloe Vera is one of the most powerful, soothing plants God created, and harvesting it is incredibly easy.
The Clean Harvest Method
- The Cut: Choose a thick, mature leaf from the bottom, outside edge of the plant. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut it as close to the base as possible.
- The Drain (Crucial Step): See that yellowish sap slowly dripping from the cut? That is called “aloe latex,” and it can irritate the skin. Stand the leaf upright in an empty cup for about 10-15 minutes to let it completely drain out.
- The Gel: Once drained, wash the leaf. Slice off the spiky edges, then carefully peel back the flat top layer of the green skin. You will be left with a beautiful, clear, solid block of pure aloe gel.
Scoop it out with a spoon and apply it directly to your skin. It provides instant, cooling relief. You can even keep the leftover gel in a glass jar in the fridge for a few days for an extra-cold treat. Do you have an Aloe plant in your garden yet?