Aloe vera is a plant that is used for its juice, meat, and even the leaves. It has been known to heal burns, calm stomach aches, and can be used in hair and skin care. However, it has to be properly prepared in order to make it as beneficial as possible.

Parts of an aloe leaf and how to use them

The aloe leaf contains three main parts: the outer leaf, gel, and meat.

Outer leaf

People (on the internet) say you can eat it, for example in salsa. I tried that and it’s not for me. It’s crunchy, a bit slimy, and has the bitter taste of aloe. Granted, I did just take a bite out of it to see what it was like, but I wouldn’t eat this in any way, shape, or form.

Gel

This is the stringy liquid that gets strained off the meat. This can be consumed just like the meat can, but can also be used in skin and hair care. I use it as a leave-in moisturizer on my face and hair, and put it on any burn or cut that I get.

Meat

Aloe meat is the chunks that don’t strain out; this part of the plant is for consumption. Unlike the gel, this is not very useful for skin or hair care, as it is chunky and doesn’t dissolve. I use this in smoothies or my morning oatmeal, as it blends into the texture and is not noticeable.