The Best Ways to Store Aloe Vera Gel
Natural aloe vera gel is a substance that has a number of different uses. Although people generally use all of it at once, sometimes, after extracting the gel from the plant, they want to keep some for later. Do you know the best way to store aloe vera gel?
If you want to stop your gel from going to waste and help it last longer, it’s important to know how to store and preserve it properly. In this article, we’ll show you some of the best ways to do it. So, next time you have some left over gel, you can put these methods into practice.
** There is no one set method for preserving aloe vera. The option you choose will largely depend on what you want to use it for later on.
Preserve it with honey
Thanks to its high content of natural sugars, honey is a product that never expires. The low concentration of water is another key to its long shelf life, just like fruit preserves or fruit stored in syrup.
In this case you can use honey without a problem, because it’s compatible with the make-up of aloe and its properties.
What to do
- Extract the gel from inside the leaf and wash it to remove the yellow layer of liquid latex.
- Divide the gel into portions, and mix each one with an equal amount of pure honey.
- Use this for making smoothies, teas, facial masks, and more.
See also: Honey and onions: instant cough remedy
Store aloe vera gel in the freezer
Placing the aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray and freezing it is a very simple way to preserve it. By not adding any additional ingredients, the gel will retain most of its natural properties for up to a couple of weeks.
The aloe vera ice cubes can then be used for beauty treatments and a range of other home remedies.
What to do
- First, choose the leaf size that you prefer.
- Then, using a sharp knife, slice open the outer skin, being careful to avoid touching the spines.
- Once you’ve removed the exterior, use a spoon to extract the gelatinous pulp and place it in an ice cube tray.
- As it should be fairly malleable, you can use your fingers to mold it into the shape of your ice cube container.
- Store the tray in the freezer and remove a cube whenever you need some aloe.
Tricks
- To help preserve the aloe vera gel for longer and enhance its effects, add a few drops of lime juice to each hole in your ice cube tray.
- You can also add a vitamin E capsule to the pulp, especially if you’re going to use it for treating your skin, nails, or hair.
Store aloe vera gel with vitamin C
According to popular belief, adding vitamin C to the aloe vera gel will allow you to store it in the fridge for up to a month.
The best thing is that this method helps enhance its natural antioxidant and regenerative effects.
What to do
- Cut the aloe vera leaf along both sides: at the tip and along the spines.
- Next, soak it in water for 24 hours. Change the water twice.
- This process helps remove the yellow resin, known as aloin, which can be toxic and irritating to the skin.
- Once you’ve removed all the aloin, extract the gel with a spoon.
- Add the gel to a blender with a vitamin C tablet and a teaspoon of wheat germ oil.
- Blend everything for a few seconds and pour the juice into a glass jar.
- At first, you’ll notice a foamy layer on top of the liquid, but it will disappear after a few days.
- Put the lid on the jar and store it in the fridge.
- Use a small amount to prepare whatever remedy you choose.
Refrigeration is necessary to store aloe vera gel
As you can see, these three simple procedures make it easy to store any leftover aloe vera gel, allowing you to keep it for longer, and make the very most of it.
Want to make an aloe vera hair mask today, and add some to your body butter tomorrow? Well, now you know how to do it: extract the gel, set aside the amount you need for later, and make sure you store it properly.
