Anything I can do with aloe vera gel from plant?

butterfly72

I have a huge aloe vera plant that i want to get rid of. Its too big and unsightly to display so i wondering if i could utilise the gel somehow before i compost it. I know its used in cosmetics and as a gel for various ailments.

Does anyone have any ideas about how i can use the gel or store it?

Thanks

Mely

Aloe vera is good for skin and hair, and soothes burns.

kittycatface

I have an aloe vera and use it sporadically for all the same things as mely, it also works as an aftersun, hair gel, on stings or bites. Info on harvesting here: http://www.ehow.com/how_6178082_harvest-use-aloe-vera-plants.html I just stored a leaf's worth in an old airtight pesto jar for a month, didnt put in fridge and its still fine, it might change colour slightly which doesnt matter, but sniff it after a month, and if the odour has changed, chuck it to be safe. I am guessing if your plant is anything like the size of mine it will produce a lot of gel, so maybe consider packaging in elegant jars with posh ribbons and labels on and selling at car boot!? Mine has produced so many baby plants they are slowly taking over the house and will have to go to new owners via freecycle!

I actually got mine in awful unsightly condition from a freecycler and its come on a treat, so if when you have harvested the useable leaves instead of composting maybe someone else would want it? good luck

fatballs

Scrape out the inside and freeze in tupperware, break of little bits when you get burnt or in case you get sunburned this summer. It'd probably keep just in the fridge but I'd freeze it seeing as its months away and it'd be extra refreshing.

jenniewb

OP this is fantastic! I keep thinking about getting one of these as they can be so useful (but sadly I have no garden or window ledge to leave the plant on )

I have read about how to use them: you take off the leaves and basicly slice them open, two cuts one each side of the leaf and peel it apart. The transparent/green gooey fleshy stuff inside the leaf you can use neat on things like burns, dry skin, irritated and sore skin, it can be used to make up face masques, can be mixed with moisturisers to give a whole new cream, can be used after shaving or epliating or waxing...I'm sure there are more uses, these are just the ones that I've kept in mind as they interest me.

I'm sure if you were to google "uses for aloe vera" you'd get a whole list of things to try. I don't know if it lasts long or if it can be frozen but given that its growing in a plant maybe take what you want and leave the rest for another time.

trying_to_fly

Twice a week put it on your face before bed. wash on in the morning. This stuff is a miracle but mine is from Holland and Barret the gel tubes

doodoot

Harvest as much as possible before you compost it!

When I had mine I used to mince sections in a garlic press and apply to my face once or twice a week as a skin tonic - my skin was amazing back then, much better than now.

Pat some aloe gloop onto your eyes then cover with cotton pads soaked in rosewater...it's bliss!

If you have any baby plants, pot them up and give them as presents with a gift card explaining its uses?

*Sits and wonders if the local garden centre sells aloe vera plants.*