Click one of the buttons above, or cut and paste the following link to share this page with your network.
This link will automatically track your referrals to Joyful Belly:
Recipes with Aloe Vera Juice / Gel: Pomegranate with Lime Juice & Aloe Vera
Commonly known for its ability to relieve a sunburn, aloe vera's appeal includes many other health benefits as well. The refreshing taste of Aloe vera is a soothing favorite when mixed with other fruit juices like honey dew melon or cucumber. As it decongests your lymphatic system, the cooling drink is an excellent way to help your body cleanse in the spring.
Cleanse & Detoxify
The main cleansing actions of Aloe come from its mild bitter taste, making it a cholagogue. That means it promotes the discharge of bile from the liver and gall bladder. As bile is an important carrier of firey blood toxins, purgation of bile is vital in order to eliminate pitta-aggravating impurities. Aloe vera gel is mildly laxative in nature, cleansing the bowels. It expels parasites. Drink one cup of aloe vera juice every day for two weeks for a cleansing effect on the body.
Lymphatic Congestion & Diabetes
As bile is a fatty substance, release of bile also tends to lower blood fat and cholesterol and improve fat metabolism. That reduces congestion in your lymphatic system. Aloe helps balance blood sugar levels, which is why aloe vera has been traditionally recommended for diabetes.
Skin Tonic
Got a minor kitchen burn? Tear a leaf off your household aloe plant, squeeze the clear gel out, and apply to the burn. Enjoyed a fun day at the beach? Aloe can soothe and cool your sunburn. Aloe is also renowned for its wound healing capabilities.
In Ayurveda, aloe is called 'Kumari,' meaning 'young girl,' a fitting term for this soothing plant that inspires the energy of youth to act on the bodily tissue systems. It balances all body types and especially rejuvenates the skin. Aloe's hydrating properties heal the skin from within, moisturizing topically but without the greasy feel of many lotions. It promotes the growth of collagen, maintaining elasticity of the skin, reducing scarring, stretch marks and signs of aging. Its collagen promoting abilities also help wounds heal faster.
Suffering from acne, scarring and redness of complexion? Aloe is an anti-inflammatory that reduces redness, and itchiness. While it moisturizes, aloe's bitter taste dries up greasiness, perfect for reducing acne in anyone with an oily complexion. The cooling and unctuous nature of aloe relieves the hot, dry symptoms of menopause and promotes healthy menstruation.
Anti-Inflammatory
As a cooling skin tonic, aloe effectively soothes inflammation of "intestinal skin" - the lining of the GI tract. It has been traditionally used to relieve hyperacidity, ulcers, ulcerative colitis and any bleeding from the intestines.
Recipes with Aloe Vera Juice / Gel: Cucumber & Coconut Cooler
Antiseptic
Aloe acts as an antiseptic and antifungal that has been used to reduce bleeding & inflammation of the gums, gingivitis, cracked/split corners of the mouth, denture stomatitis and apthous ulcers. Aloe's bitter-cool quality effectively treats fevers arising out of congestion and a Kapha-rich diet.
Contraindications
People with a Kapha constitution can benefit greatly from cleansing with aloe. However, for those who belong to the Vata-deficient category, frequent use of aloe can be contraindicative. Aloe powder and its yellow sap are strongly purgative in nature and should be avoided during pregnancy. In cases of emaciation, dehydration, diarrhea, breast cancer, intestinal obstruction, and during menstruation, aloe is best avoided.
About Aloe Vera Juice / Gel
Aloe includes more than 250 species of flowering succulents and is native to Africa, Madagascar and Jordan. It is closely related to cactus, yucca and onion. For thousands of years and across many cultures, aloe has been used to heal a variety of health conditions including burns, skin irritations, wounds, etc. Egyptians used to refer to it as "the plant of immortality."
Buying & Preparation
Aloe vera gel and/or juice can be found at most health food stores. As preservatives are mixed into all commercial production aloe vera, check the ingredients to be sure the preservatives are as natural as possible. Aloe vera gel is far more potent than is the juice. Consuming one tablespoon of aloe vera gel is equivalent to drinking one cup of aloe juice. Also, the gel provides sustained action while the juice is short-term in its effect.
It is very simple to harvest fresh gel from your household aloe plant. When the leaves are 3-4 inches in width and roughly a foot in length, it is the perfect time to extract the gel from the plant. First select a leaf. Remove and wash it. Cut off two inches from the bottom of the leaf, so you have a flat surface to work with. Remove the thorns. Cut the green skin off beginning on the flat side of the leaf. Scoop out the gel and rinse it thoroughly. Now you can add it to your recipe. Take care that the yellow sap and the green skin are both removed entirely from the gel since they are highly purgative in nature.
Cooking Aloe Vera Juice / Gel
The tart-astringent flavor of aloe juice is not favored by everyone but add some crushed mint, a few drops of lime juice and a couple of tablespoons of simple syrup, and you have a refreshingly piquant midsummer day's treat! Or try aloe vera blended with honey dew melon to quickly cool your body. You can also blend 1/2 cup of aloe vera gel with 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups of fresh berries for a bright summer berry smoothie.
You may dilute the bitter flavor with apple juice or sugar, however to maximize the benefits of the medicine savor the rarely encountered bitter taste.
Learn about the health benefits of aloe vera juice / gel for FREE
You'll receive free access to our entire website including
healthy recipes,
nutritional diet plans,
medicinal uses of ingredients,
& ayurvedic health tips.
Sign in once and you can use our website indefinitely..
Is Aloe Vera Juice / Gel Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Aloe Vera Juice / Gel' is a good fit.
Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes
at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT
Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances.
With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you.
Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature.
By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health.
See How it Works.
Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick.
Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia.
They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature.
Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.
Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Aloe Vera Juice / Gel
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Stimulant laxatives induce bowel movements by stimulating peristaltic movement (the contraction of smooth muscle in the intestines). They are effective when used on a short-term basis. On a long-term basis, they can create dependency. Aka irritant laxativ
An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.
STRONG ALTERATIVE
Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.
STRONG CHOLAGOGUE
Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.
Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.
The appropriate dosage of aloe vera can vary depending on the form you're using (e.g., aloe vera gel, juice, supplement, or latex) and the intended purpose. Here are some general guidelines:
Aloe Vera Gel (Topical Use):
Dosage: Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel directly to the skin as needed.
Purpose: Used for burns, cuts, sunburns, or skin irritations. You can apply it 2-3 times a day or as required.
Note: For topical use, there are generally no strict dosage limits, but if irritation occurs, discontinue use and wash the area.
Aloe Vera Juice (Oral Use):
Typical Dosage: 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup (60 to 120 milliliters) of aloe vera juice per day.
Purpose: Often used for digestive support, detoxification, and general health. It can also be used to promote regularity in bowel movements.
Note: If you're using aloe vera juice for digestive purposes, start with a smaller dose (e.g., 2 tablespoons) and gradually increase it to avoid potential stomach discomfort.
Aloe Vera Supplements (Capsules/Tablets):
Typical Dosage: 100 mg to 500 mg of aloe vera extract per day.
Purpose: Commonly used for digestive health, inflammation reduction, and immune system support.
Note: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, as the potency can vary between products. It's a good idea to start with a lower dose to assess tolerance.
Aloe Vera Latex (Laxative Use):
Typical Dosage: Historically, aloe latex was used as a laxative, but it is now less commonly recommended due to safety concerns. If used, the typical dosage was around 5 to 10 milligrams of aloe latex (equivalent to a few drops) per day.
Purpose: Used to relieve constipation.
Important Warning: Aloe latex has strong laxative effects and can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and dehydration, especially with long-term use. Aloe latex should not be used regularly, and it is generally not recommended due to potential side effects and the risk of dehydration or dependency on laxatives.
TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS
Aloe Vera Juice / Gel may be beneficial for these symptoms.
The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.
CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS
Aloe Vera Juice / Gel may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms.
Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
Pregnancy: Aloe vera, especially when consumed orally (e.g., aloe latex), is generally considered unsafe during pregnancy. It may stimulate uterine contractions and could increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor. Pregnant women should avoid using aloe products unless directed otherwise by a healthcare provider.
Laxative Effects:Aloe latex (the yellowish sap just under the skin of the leaf) has strong laxative effects and can cause diarrhea or abdominal cramping. Chronic use of aloe latex as a laxative can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and dependency on the laxative for bowel movements. It is not recommended for long-term use.
Caution with Digestive Issues:Aloe latex should be used with caution by people with conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) because it can exacerbate symptoms like diarrhea and dehydration.
Children: Aloe gel is typically safe for topical use on children, however caution is advised in young children due to its strong laxative effect.
Topical Use: Skin Sensitivity: While aloe vera gel is commonly used for burns, cuts, and skin irritation, some people may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions when applying it topically. It's best to do a patch test on a small area of skin before applying it more extensively.
Medication Interactions:
Blood Sugar Medications: Aloe vera may lower blood sugar levels, so it may interfere with medications used to treat diabetes. If you're taking diabetes medications (insulin or oral hypoglycemics), monitor your blood sugar closely when using aloe vera.
Diuretics: Aloe vera can have a diuretic effect, and when used alongside diuretics (water pills), it could lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances.
Warfarin (Blood Thinners): Aloe vera may interact with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding.
Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Aloe Vera Juice / Gel. Please see your health care provider for more information.
Alterative: Anything that strengthens or cleanses the liver can clear drugs more quickly, requiring a higher dose.
Blood-thinner: Patients on warfarin (coumadin) and other anticoagulants, or who have clotting difficulties, should take special caution to only use blood thinners under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Cholagogue: Anything that strengthens or cleanses the liver can clear drugs more quickly, requiring a higher dose.
Hypolipidemic: May magnify the effect of cholesterol lowering drugs.
Lowers-blood-sugar: Avoid if taking diabetes or other blood sugar lowering medication
View other ingredients for Summer
Aloe Vera Juice / Gel is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when
right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in
Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire
reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once
you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy,
& botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.
“Generally, it is ok to use the leaves of the actual aloe plant. You want to be careful to use the inner gel as the outer gel closest to the leaf skin is a powerful purgative."
“If using houseplant leaves, be sure they are organic and be careful not to use the gel against the edges of the leaves of the plant (it's usually more yellow in color) as it a powerful purgative."
Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter!
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
On MeWe
On Pinterest
On Facebook
On Twitter
On WhatsApp
On Email
Create a recipe with it
Compare with other vegetables
Ayurvedic Perspective
Biocharacteristics & Herbal Actions
Similar foods and herbs
Indications / Benefits
Contraindications / Aggravates
Comments and reviews
