A guide to properly store Aloe Vera Gel
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Aloe vera has been used for many years for its medicinal and healing attributes. It’s a short, thick-stemmed plant that has a gel-like substance in its leaves, and it is widely utilized in many beauty products. The gel is what is used in beauty products. It has vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that perform wonders for the skin. You might be shocked by all of the health benefits that Aloe Vera has to offer.Aloe gel is a natural substance used for treating sunburn, creating facial masks, and as a dietary supplement. These perks come most plentifully when the gel is collected directly from the plant. However, storage of the gel after harvesting can be a little bit complicated. There are three main methods used to enhance the shelf life of freshly harvested gel: freezing it, mixing the gel with honey, and/or with vitamin C.
Does Aloe vera Gel expire?
A guide to extracting, using and storing Aloe Vera Gel
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Aloe vera gel can be stored either refrigerated or unrefrigerated. The gel can be stored for about a week at normal room temperature. If it gets too hot, the gel should be transferred to a cooler place for storage, like a basement or cellar. Smell the gel if it’s been kept unrefrigerated; if it smells bad, don’t use it. Also check its texture, if it is lumpy, moldy or looks odd, don’t use it. The beneficial properties of aloe vera degenerate if it is not properly stored, so it might be simpler to keep the plant and break off parts when needed if you do not have the option of refrigeration.If you choose to refrigerate the harvested gel, the duration will vary depending on whether or not you used a preservative like vitamin E; with the preservative, the gel can be refrigerated for several months, without the preservative it will last refrigerated for one to two weeks.Most aloe products have expiration dates that should be observed. If the gel is taken out in the sun, it must stay in a bag or a shaded place to keep it from drying out. Once it dries out, it can’t be used. Aloe vera gel has many medicinal purposes including easing the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.
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Benefits of using Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera Gel has antioxidant and antibacterial properties
Aloe vera contains powerful antioxidants that help aloe to inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause infections and inflammation.
Aloe Vera Gel quickens the healing of burns
It is often used as a topical remedy for sores and burns, including sunburns.
Aloe Vera Gel helps prevent wrinkles
Using the gel topically can slow aging of the skin by increasing collagen production and improving skin elasticity.
Aloe Vera Gel can decrease the occurrence of acne and lightens blemishes
Aloe gel can work as a natural treatment for acne and acne scarring. Its antimicrobial characteristics help to prevent acne and reduce the inflammation that acne causes.
Aloe Vera Gel is a natural moisturizer
The gel can be used instead of a lotion for a natural daily skin moisturizer. It cleanses and softens the skin without obstructing the pores, and it’s effective for both men and women.
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How to store Aloe Vera Gel?
Fresh aloe vera gel will only last for about a week in the fridge. This may not be a problem if you are using a smaller leaf from your own houseplant, but if you purchase a large leaf, you will likely end up with more gel than you can use in a week. Here is how to preserve it, so it doesn’t go to waste.
Freeze the aloe vera gel
After separating the aloe vera gel, you will use soon, pour the extra gel into ice cube trays and freeze it solid. Then put the cubes into a freezer safe jar or bag. Take out the cubes as needed for burns or to apply in homemade recipes. This is a great way to keep it on hand if having your own plant is hard. Alternately, before blending the gel, cube it and lay it on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once they are solid, shift them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Taking out pieces as needed.
Add natural preservatives : Large leaves can produce up to 1 1/2 cups of gel. Place a cup of gel into a mason jar and freeze the rest. Wait until the froth clears to know exactly how much gel you have. To the 1 cup, I add about 2000 mg of Vitamin C and 1600 IU; that is one tablespoon, or 4 400 IU capsules of Vitamin E. Powdered Vitamin C functions well, or you can grind the proper amount of tablets. Stir well until the vitamins are blended well. You could also mix this with an immersion blender. This should boost the shelf life of your gel to about eight months if it is kept in the refrigerator.
How to freeze the gel?
- Get an ice cube tray to put your aloe vera gel in. Freezing it in an ice cube tray instead of one large block means that you can take out individual pieces whenever needed. Silicone trays work best as you can turn the tray inside out. Small plastic containers also work well if you do not have an ice cube tray.
- Fill an ice tray with the gel and place it in the freezer. Make sure the tray lays flat in the freezer to prevent any of the gel seeping out and freeze the cubes overnight. This will give them enough time to freeze. The cubes should be totally frozen to be stored, so ensure you give them enough time in the freezer before removing.
- Transfer the cubes into a plastic bag that’s dated. Store the cubes in your freezer for up to a year. You can use the cubes:
- to treat sunburn
- In recipes for making homemade soap
- to make smoothies
- to make a refreshing hair gel
Mixing Aloe Vera with Honey
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- Pour your harvested gel into a plastic container. It should be adequately sized allowing you to mix the honey in. You can opt for smaller containers if it is more suitable for your storage set up. The container should also have a lid. Mix the honey and gel in a 1:1 ratio. Honey has very little water content versus a high natural sugar content that it helps preserve the gel for longer than the gel would have lasted naturally.
- This process is comparable to the way fruit is often stored in syrup or as a preserve. Using high-quality honey that is free of preservatives will ensure that the gel keeps for as long as possible.
- Store the gel in a refrigerator or at room temp for up to 8 months. Keep the gel away from direct sunlight. Because it is now in a gel solution with the honey, it blends very well into other products like:
- Facial scrubs
- Body wash
- Hair products
Blending Aloe Vera with Vitamin C
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- Place the aloe gel into a blender but do not blend it yet. The gel has a very gelatinous texture, and this can make it hard to work with. Putting the aloe vera gel through the blender allows it to become separated and liquify. This makes it simpler to work with.
- Add in your ground vitamin C tablet. For every ¼ cup (60ml) of gel, add about 500 milligrams (0.018 oz) of vitamin C to it. This mix will help keep the gel for up to 8 months in the refrigerator once it has been mixed in. You can purchase vitamin C from your local pharmacy.
- Blend your aloe gel mixture on high for a few seconds. This will guarantee that the vitamin C is combined with the aloe vera and that the texture became liquefied and broken down. You should be left with some aloe vera juice. The juice should be much runnier and less gelatinous than it was before.
- Shift the juice into a covered plastic container. There will be a foamy layer present on the top of the liquid, but this will disappear after a few days, so there’s no need to worry.
- Move your juice to the fridge for storage. The juice is now ready to be utilized or can be stored for up to a month. Although you can drink the juice by itself, it mixes well with other juices, smoothies, and teas.You can use it as a moisturizer, body wash, and hydrating wash for your hair.
Precautions to take when using Aloe Vera
- If you are collecting the aloe vera gel directly from the plant, you will need to ensure you let the plant sit vertically in some water after cutting a small part off the end to let the aloin to drain out. Aloin is a very potent laxative, and if it isn’t removed, it can have some undesired effects on those who ingest aloe vera products.
- Instead of buying vitamin C powder, you can crush a vitamin C tablet and stir it in. A few drops of grapefruit extract can also work.
- Don’t rush. Let the yellow stuff, aloin, drain well before moving on. Vitamins E and C are antioxidants, not natural preservatives. Even in the refrigerator, harmful microbes can form within 3-7 days.
- Although aloe can be consumed orally, never consume too much; it has a laxative effect due to the Aloin present.
- Wear gloves while handling aloe if you’re allergic to the latex.
