How to Make Aloe Vera Gel from Fresh Aloe

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How to make aloe vera gel from fresh aloe leaves
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We recently got a new grocery store in a town near me. I was checking it out one day and came across an array of fun and unusual foods uncommon to most average grocery stores. While there I saw several long beautiful aloe vera leaves and decided to purchase some.

As I continued shopping, a woman stopped me and said, “Excuse me for asking, but what IS that?” I smiled and briefly explained to her that it is the leaves from the aloe plant and how to use it for burns and cuts. She left with a smile on her face and I was happy to teach her something new.

I know sometimes I sound like a broken record but aloe vera gel is one of those things I grew up believing could only be bought in a store, processed, and in a fancy package. But just like so many other things, it is incredibly easy and inexpensive to make at home.

What Is Aloe Vera Good For

Most people are aware of the benefits of aloe vera gel on sunburns. It is wonderful for soothing pain and reducing inflammation caused by minor burns, but in addition to that, it has a wide application of uses.

Several other over-the-counter first aid products can easily be replaced with homemade, natural versions. Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and has antioxidant properties that aid in healing.

I use aloe vera gel in several of my beauty care recipes. It is very hydrating to the skin but does not leave an oily feel so it is good for most skin types. These qualities also make it great for the hair and scalp, especially if you struggle with dry, itchy scalp and dandruff.

Many people also take aloe vera internally to aid in digestion and to help relieve stomach ulcers. Aloe vera gel contains numerous vitamins and minerals that help replenish the body. These remedies should be practiced under the advice of your health care provider.

Where Can You Get It

Aloe vera makes a wonderful houseplant. Not only will it help filter the air in your home, but you will always have it on hand for all of its wonderful uses. A small aloe vera plant shouldn’t be too hard to find at a nursery.

The aloe plant is similar to a cactus in care requirements. It requires well draining, sandy soil and does not tolerate frost, but will do very well indoors. Water it thoroughly but then allow the soil to dry about 2 inches down before watering again. (Be sure to check the care instructions for your particular plant.)

As I mentioned, I was able to get cut aloe vera leaves locally in the produce section at a grocery store, but they are probably going to be more readily available at organic stores or markets that cater to healthful living. You could also try a smaller grocery store that specializes in Indian food if you have one in your area.

How To Harvest The Gel from Aloe Vera

Aloe vera leaves are long and slightly curved with serrated edges. The gel is the thick fleshy part that is between the skin of the leaf.

Supplies:

  • aloe vera leaf
  • sharp knife
  • clean airtight container for storing
  • blender or immersion blender
  • clean bowl (if you are using an immersion blender)

Directions:

  1. Cut the leaf into sections about 8″ long. This makes it a little more manageable.
  2. Cut off the serrated edge. Try to get just the edge because it is difficult to get the gel out of those pieces.
  3. Cut the 8″ lengths into 2 or 3 long strips.
  4. Turn your blade to its side and slide it in just under the skin on the end of one of the strips.
  5. Carefully slide the knife along the bottom edge of the skin down the whole length of the leaf. Try to stay close to the skin so you get as much gel as you can.
  6. Once you get the whole piece of skin off, flip the section over and repeat with the other side.
  7. Cut the flesh into 2 or 3 pieces and place in a clean bowl (if you are using an immersion blender) or your blender pitcher.
  8. Repeat steps 4-7 until all sections have been skinned and gathered into your blender pitcher.
  9. Blend until smooth. It will almost immediately froth when you start your blender. This is normal. If you are using an immersion blender just blend it in the bowl until smooth.
  10. The froth will eventually go down. You can wait or you can just go ahead and pour the gel into the clean storage container and refrigerate.
  11. It will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.

Preserving The Gel

Fresh aloe vera gel will only be good for about a week in the refrigerator. This may not be a problem if you are using a smaller leaf from your own houseplant, but if you buy a large leaf you will likely end up with more gel than you can use in a week. There are other ways you can preserve it so that none of it goes to waste.

Freeze It

After you store the aloe vera gel you will use in the coming week, pour the extra gel into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Then transfer the aloe cubes into a freezer safe container or bag. Pull out an aloe cube as needed for burns or to use in one of the above recipes. This is a great way to keep it on hand if having your own plant is not an option.

Alternately, before you blend the flesh, cut it into cubes and lay it on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once the pieces are solid, transfer to a freezer safe container or bag. Pull a piece out as needed.

Add Natural Preservatives

When I get one of the large leaves I usually end up with about 1.5 cups. I place 1 cup into a clean pint mason jar. The remaining gel gets frozen as I instructed above. I waited for the froth to go down before I did this so I knew exactly how much I had.

To the 1 cup I add 2000 mg of Vitamin C and 1600 IU (1 tablespoon or 4 400 IU capsules) of Vitamin E. Powdered Vitamin C works well or you can crush the appropriate amount of tablets. Stir well until the vitamins are well incorporated. I stirred for a bit and then let it sit. When I came back to stir it again the Vitamin C was much easier to stir in.

You could also blend this with your immersion blender. This should increase the life of your gel to about 8 months if it is stored in the refrigerator.

Do you have an aloe vera plant? How do you use the gel?

Sources

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

72 responses to “How to Make Aloe Vera Gel from Fresh Aloe”

    1. Grace Avatar

      Aloe comes in many varieties, but ‘aloe vera’ is a specific aloe species that is the most well known (and I assume, probably has the most health benefits, is edible, etc.) and it is used most commonly for eating, applying, adding into skin care recipes, etc. so I definitely recommend aloe vera.

      It’s real easy to grow, but if you start off with a tiny baby (which is already incredibly long and tall) keep in mind it can grow real big. I got one of the tiny baby ones that were like 5 bucks at my local nursery and it barely fit into the 3 x 3 x 4 inch plastic pot, and now it’s a year since I got it and it is huge! (still not very big). Unfortunately you can’t really use the baby ones since they’re so small and the leaves have little gel (also not mature, not sure if thats good) and the ones that were pretty much the same size as mine a year later sold for 20 bucks, so if you want to use it right away probably get a bigger one. Mine is already real big, in a pot that is nearly the size of a gallon water bottle, but I think it can grow way more!

  1. Filomena Avatar
    Filomena

    Have you posted a video or could you? I think it would be much easier for those who are visual learners like myself to understand the instructions.

  2. Mochi Avatar

    Can I use the fresh aloe vera to make your ‘DIY Hair Growth Serum’ ?

  3. Thalia Avatar

    Aaaah! No, no, no, NO! Do not use frozen aloe (or frozen anything!) for burns! Use lukewarm water!

    1. Toni Avatar

      It depends on the degree of burn. But yes you most certainly use aloe vera on burns.

  4. Audrey Avatar

    When I was a kid I used go to my neighbor’s house and ask for a piece of an aloe leaf (they had multiple huge plants). Then I would squeeze out the gel and rub it directly onto my sunburn or mosquito bites. It worked wonders!

  5. Ros Avatar

    I grow from home. I freeze leaves nd then I slice open and scrape the gel out. The plant isn’t as slippery that way. I also just slice and wipe over burns incl. sunburn. It is also great for when a heat cream is too hot for a body area – like neck or face.

  6. Dot Avatar

    I just eat it straight from the stem. Before food. Very easy to grow.

  7. Patti Avatar

    I make face and body moisturizer by blending aloe vera gel, coconut oil, a little vitamin E, A, and jojoba oil. Then add a little essential oil of choice. So many EOs are great for skin tone, age spots, etc.

  8. Shauna Avatar
    Shauna

    My mom had a huge aloe plant when I was a kid, and when we got sunburned she would cut off a leaf, cut off the sharp sides and one flat side, and just rub the leaf on the burned area.

  9. Contina Avatar
    Contina

    Hello. I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your site and have gotten into making my own products… I also work at babies r us and anytime I am talking with anyone especially a new mom about organic products, I tell them about your site… I have a 5 yr old little boy and wanted him to start his life out with good homemade products instead of ones saturated with chemicals… Thank you so much for all of your tips and recipes.. You are indeed a blessing to us all !!

  10. Elizabeth Resnick Avatar
    Elizabeth Resnick

    I buy the large leaves also. I cut the inner part into small chunks which I keep in the fridge. I will take one out and rub it all over my face after cleansing in the am. It makes a great base for makeup and seems to have at least a temporary firming effect. I will definitely try blending with my immersion blender. Great tip!

  11. diana Avatar

    My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer which was treated with a lumpectomy and radiation. They way over-radiated her breast and the burns were horrible and painful (her breast looked like a stewed tomato). Nothing really dulled the pain and the medication/salve she was prescribed was ineffective and healing was slow. I had many huge Aloe plants at the time and so she came over and cut large leaves off every time she needed new supply. She used an old bra (fresh aloe stains), and would pack the bra with aloe several times daily. Not only did her healing accelerate, she was almost pain free as long as there was aloe on her skin. Good story huh?

  12. Tracy Avatar

    Aren’t you supposed to soak the gel in water to pull the yellowish liquid out? . . . or is that only if you drink aloe?

    1. Megan Avatar

      When I have made Aloe gel in the past, I have cut half an inch off the bottom(the wider end of the leaf) then let it sit with that side down for 45 minutes to an hour. The thick yellow tinted liquid came out, only about a teaspoon or so. Even though there may have been a little left inside the leaf, I have never had a problem with it. Hope that helps.

  13. Marcia Avatar
    Marcia

    This looks great. I can not wait to try it.

    Is the vitamin C and vitamin E used as a preservative? In terms of hand sanitizer, will this have that gel like texture when left at room temperature?

  14. Kelly Avatar

    Thank you for the great information and additional recipes to add to my list. I have made the shave soap for my husband using aloe and he loves it because he doesn’t break out.
    I also found it makes for a great hair conditioner. When we started using the “no poo” method I found I could not use the vinegar for some reason, so I started using coconut oil for my occasional deep conditioning but not really knowing what to use all time.
    I only have to use a little because it lathers up very well (or appears to) and leaves my hair very soft.

  15. Jo Avatar

    I use aloe for my sensitive teeth and gums. I swish with it and/or rub it on my gums. It has really helped me.

  16. Rowan Rustem Molnar Avatar
    Rowan Rustem Molnar

    Thank you so much for this. The list of good properties of Aloe Vera is endless. This was very insightful.

  17. gowri Avatar

    I just store cut leaves from my garden, wrap the bottom portion with parchment paper and store in the refrigerator. Will stay fresh for over 3 months. When needed, i remove about an inch of skin on one side and scrap the gel with a spoon. I mainly used this to treat sun burns.

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