How to Drink Aloe Vera

You may have used aloe vera on a sunburn, and you might even have an aloe vera plant in the kitchen for minor burns, but it can also be turned into a refreshing drink. While many of the health claims made by aloe vera juice producers are unsubstantiated, drinking it can soothe some digestive ailments. You can also flavor pure aloe juice or combine it with other beverages. It can even be made at home for maximum customization!

If you're taking medications, consult your doctor before consuming Aloe Vera juice as there's a possibility the juice may interfere with the medication. ^{[1]XResearch source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Enjoying Aloe Vera as a Beverage

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1
Drink pure aloe vera juice to enjoy its natural flavor. Aloe vera has a slightly bitter taste which some find delicious. If you like it, you can buy pure aloe juice at a pharmacy or online.^{[2]XResearch source} You can also drink it diluted in some water.^{[3]XResearch source} Bottles of diluted aloe juice are available for sale in some grocery stores, usually under the name “aloe water.”^{[4]XResearch source}
- Pure aloe vera has been shown to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux and ulcerative colitis.^{[5]XResearch source} To experience these benefits, consume 3 to 6 tablespoons (1.5 to 3 fluid ounces) of pure aloe juice daily.^{[6]XResearch source}
2
Flavor your aloe vera juice to mellow out some of its bitterness. While pure aloe juice is simply the liquid that comes from juicing some of all of an aloe leaf, many of the products you'll see for sale in the grocery store called “aloe juice” are that pure aloe liquid combined with fruit juices or flavorings.^{[7]XResearch source} You can also buy pure aloe juice, dilute it with water, and flavor it with lemon, honey, or fruit juices to taste.
- Products sold as “aloe juice” have to contain a certain amount of pure aloe juice. You can check the percentage on the bottle's label.
- If you're looking to keep your sugar intake low, be sure to check labels. Some bottled aloe juices can have a lot of added sugar!^{[8]XResearch source}
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The flavor of aloe goes well with lots of citruses and summer fruits and vegetables. Add aloe vera to your favorite lemonade or agua fresca.^{[9]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Aloe Vera Juice at Home

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1
Purchase an aloe vera leaf at the grocery store. Not all varieties of aloe vera are safe to consume, so while you may have a plant at home, it's best to purchase a leaf if you plan on using it for food or drink.^{[10]XResearch source}
- The leaf must be fresh. If it starts to go bad, it’s not safe to drink.^{[11]XExpert SourceRitu Thakur, MA
  Natural Health Care ProfessionalExpert Interview. 25 July 2019.}
- Make sure you wash and dry your leaf thoroughly when you get it home.^{[12]XResearch source}
This can be accomplished by submerging the leaf in water for 5-10 minutes. You can also drain the sap by setting the leaf in a glass with the cut side down for 10-15 minutes.^{[13]XResearch source} In either case, you will see a yellowish-brown liquid emerge from the leaf.^{[14]XExpert SourceRitu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care ProfessionalExpert Interview. 25 July 2019.} It is important to remove this, as it is one of the parts of the aloe plant that can cause gastrointestinal problems.^{[15]XResearch source}
3
Remove the spines along each side with a knife. Be careful when doing so, as the spines can be very sharp.^{[16]XResearch source}
- If the sides of the leaf are particularly tough, kitchen scissors may help you remove the spines.^{[17]XResearch source}
4
Remove the skin on the curved side of the leaf. Slide a knife under the skin at the bottom of the leaf and move all the way down to remove the skin.^{[18]XResearch source}
- The skin might not come off in one piece, but that's okay. Just make sure you remove all of it.^{[19]XResearch source}
When you take the skin off, this yellow layer may come off as well.^{[20]XResearch source} If it doesn't, it must be thoroughly removed, as it can cause diarrhea.^{[21]XResearch source}
For thinner leaves, you will be able to scoop the gel out with a spoon, but for thicker leaves, you'll need a knife to cut it out in blocks.^{[22]XResearch source}
7
Blend the clear gel with water and flavorings. Place the gel from one large aloe leaf in the blender with two cups of water and blend on medium speed until combined.^{[23]XResearch source}
- If you dislike the texture of pure aloe gel, you can strain the aloe-water mixture through cheesecloth to catch anything the blender missed.^{[24]XResearch source}
- If you want to save your gel for later use, use the blender to smooth it out and then pour it into ice cube trays. When frozen, pop the gel cubes out and store them in a plastic bag in the freezer.^{[25]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
What part of the leaf isn't safe to use?
Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.
Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Expert Answer
You want to cut the bottom of the leaf off and remove any of that yellow discharge that comes out. That stuff can cause an allergic reaction, and you won't get any benefit from using it. You also want to avoid using any of the green part of the leaves, or the thorns.
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How long is fresh aloe vera juice good for?
Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.
Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Expert Answer
If you store it correctly, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 10 days before it starts to turn.
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Is there any way to extend the shelf life of aloe in the fridge?
Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.
Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Expert Answer
You may be able to extend the shelf life by adding a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to it. It has to be 100% organic essential oil, though. You could also use vitamin E oil if you prefer.
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