The Aloe vera plant is a beautiful, spiky succulent, a member of the lily family. Aloe is not only easy to care for (and lovely to look at) but has also been used for thousands of years as a multi-purpose medicinal plant [source].
This miraculous plant is on everyone’s basic list of home remedies, and while most of us think of aloe as just a burn treatment, its beauty uses are endless. Aloe is the perfect all-purpose plant to keep on hand—and to add a little greenery to your room!
Of course, aloe is also edible, and it's a common ingredient for recipes promoting beauty from the inside out. Aloe vera supplements have been shown to improve facial wrinkles and skin elasticity [source], making them a must-have for natural beauty lovers.
Yes, this healing ingredient is popular in aloe drinks and juices, but we're also sharing interesting new ways to use aloe in desserts, cocktails, and snacks.
Can You Eat Aloe Vera?
You can eat aloe vera, although the taste isn't for everyone. Aloe vera is a plant with numerous medicinal properties. While aloe vera gel is typically used topically to treat skin conditions, the aloe vera plant and juice can also be ingested. The gel-like substance inside the aloe vera leaves can be added to smoothies or juices to provide a range of health benefits.
When eaten, aloe vera has a slightly bitter taste that may not be appealing to everyone. However, it's easy to mask the flavor by combining it with sweet or tangy fruits.Aloe vera can help soothe digestive issues, boost the immune system, and even aid in weight loss efforts. Aloe vera is also high in antioxidants, making it a powerful tool in the fight against free radicals and the damage they can cause to the body.
15 Edible (or Drinkable!) Aloe Recipes
When taken internally, aloe vera juice can help with digestion and bowel regularity, and it can also be detoxifying. Seventy-five potentially active constituents have been identified in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes [source], and it has been well-reported to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial [source], and antiviral qualities.
Aloe has cleansing properties for the digestive tract. Start with small amounts of aloe vera juice daily (1–3 ounces), but be sure to read the label directions before ingesting aloe vera juice because it can have laxative effects.
1. Aloe and Cucumber Water from Hello Glow
Let's be honest: plain aloe vera juice does not taste good. Turn it into a hydrating water recipe with coconut water and cucumber to sweeten things up.
2. Aloe Vera Martini from Hello Glow
Sipping on a martini you know is good for you may sound unlikely, but this aloe vera cucumber cocktail makes it totally likely!
3. 5-Ingredient Healthy Double Chocolate Cashew Aloe Ice Cream from Flexitarian Nutrition
Just five ingredients—all of them vegan, and all of them healthy! This double chocolate ice cream has a cashew base and just enough aloe vera juice to make it guilt-free.
4. Aloe Vera, Mint, and Tequila Frozen Jelly from Front + Main
Somewhere between a granita and a jelly shot, frozen jelly is the best treat for summer! This recipe mixes refreshing mint, basil, and lime with hydrating aloe and naughty tequila.
5. Hydrating Kiwi Aloe Popsicles from Creative Green Living
We all need an extra boost of hydration these days, which makes these kiwi aloe popsicles a midsummer night's dream come true!
6. Healing Aloe Smoothie from Hello Glow
This smoothie—which uses the fresh gel from inside the aloe leaf, although you could use pure store-bought juice—is naturally sweet, using organic apple juice and strawberries to help hide any unpleasant taste.
7. Raspberry Aloe Water from Hello Glow
Protect and repair your skin with this tasty, drinkable combination of aloe vera, raspberries, and beetroot powder.
8. Kuvar Pak Recipe from Veggie Food Recipes
A dessert that has benefits for the digestive and immune systems and is actually good for you? Count us in! Blended with milk, the aloe in this cake tastes nothing like its raw, bitter version.
9. Poached Aloe Yogurt from No Recipes
Why limit the use of aloe to drinks when you can just as easily add it to your yogurt? This simple recipe makes a very good case for poached aloe, which only adds to the health benefits of the probiotic snack.
10. Kiwi Chia Seed Cooler from Gluten-Free Made Easy
Cool down during summer days with a kiwi, aloe, chia seed snack! While the texture is similar to jello, this cooler is so much healthier!
11. Mini Quiches from Cooking with Manuela
Mini quiches are the perfect breakfast or brunch treat. This recipe is made with healthy aloe vera yogurt, red peppers, and parmesan.
12. Dairy-Free Papaya Lassi from Ascension Kitchen
This version of a papaya lassi comes with digestive benefits: it's rich in probiotics and digestive enzymes—all that without the heaviness of dairy. Aloe, cardamom, Manuka honey, lime, and rose combine in a healthy and equally tasty smoothie.
13. Aloe Vera Salad from How Daily
Ever considered adding aloe to your salad? You can totally do that and make it tasty, too. This recipe from How Daily is made with shrimp, jellyfish, mango, carrots, and cucumber, and it's super refreshing.
14. Watermelon Coconut Aloe Juice from Will Frolic For Food
Rehydrate like a goddess with this watermelon, coconut water, and aloe juice garnished with basil leaves. This is pretty much the ideal summer refresher.
15. Aloe Vera Lemonade Slush from Well Vegan
When the weather gets warmer, this lemonade slush with aloe will become your best ally!
New to the world of aloe? Learn how to harvest it and what to do with it!
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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