Learn how to incorporate the plant of immortality into your daily wellness routine with 3 homemade aloe water recipes. Not a fan of the taste of aloe? These hydrating aloe water elixirs use cucumber, green tea, and sparkling water to hide aloe's bitter taste. It's the perfect way to rehydrate after a workout!
How did aloe come to be known as the plant of immortality? It's all thanks to the high levels of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins contained in the aloe vera gel [source].
Aloe vera is packed with vitamins, phytonutrients, and antioxidants that benefit skin, hair, health, and body [source]. While it's often used topically to soothe skin ailments, you can also drink aloe vera and reap the same healing benefits from the inside out.
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Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera
Aloe doesn't stop skin deep with its blessings. Taken internally or incorporated into a smoothie, juice, or food, aloe can ease a whole host of undesirable ailments [source].
Reducing cholesterol, promoting digestive health with its anti-inflammatory properties, and even fighting bad breath are reasons to give this plant a try [source].
Drinking aloe vera water can help:
—Fight bad breath
—Support a healthy digestive system
—Maintain oral health
—Reduce toxins in the body
—Moisturize and hydrate the skin
How To Make Aloe Water
Ingredients
Growing an aloe vera plant is a great way to have fresh aloe gel on tap all year long. Aloe plants are perfect for beginners or those who don't consider themselves "plant people."
To make fresh aloe water, you'll need:
- 2 aloe vera leaves (or 2 tablespoons store-bought aloe vera gel)
- 1 cup water
- Honey, agave, cucumber, or lemon to taste (optional)
Instructions
Harvest the aloe vera gel:
Cut a large leaf at the base of the aloe plant. Lay the cut sections flat and use a knife to carefully fillet the gel from the leaf.
Blend the aloe vera gel:
Combine the aloe gel with water (and other ingredients, if using) in the base of a blender. Puree on low until smooth.
Strain (optional):
If you prefer a smoother drink, you can strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any remaining pulp.
Add flavor (optional):
Pour into a glass and add honey, lemon juice, or cucumber slices to enhance the flavor of your aloe water. Top off with sparkling water, if desired.
Variations
No matter whether you grow or buy it, you'll want to mix your aloe gel with juice, seltzer, or some natural flavorings to hide the bitter taste of aloe. Try one of these recipe ideas:
Coconut Cucumber Aloe Water
- 2 aloe vera leaves (or 2 tablespoons store-bought aloe vera gel)
- 1 cup water or unsweetened coconut water
- ½ small cucumber, roughly chopped
- Honey or agave to taste (optional)
Spicy Aloe Water Paloma
- 1 grapefruit, peeled and chopped
- 1 lime, peeled and halved
- 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
- ½ cup sparkling water
- 2 aloe vera leaves (or 2 tablespoons store-bought aloe vera gel)
Iced Aloe + Peach Green Tea
- 1 green tea bag
- 8 ounces cool water
- 1 ripe peach (or ½ cup peach juice)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar
- 2 aloe vera leaves (or 2 tablespoons store-bought aloe vera gel)
More Ways to Drink Aloe Vera Water
Drink it straight: Enjoy a glass of plain aloe water for a refreshing and hydrating beverage.
Flavor enhancer: Use aloe water as a base for other beverages. Mix it with fruit juices, herbal teas, or coconut water for added flavor.
Smoothies: Add aloe water to your smoothies for an extra boost of hydration. It pairs well with fruits like cucumber, watermelon, or berries.
Cocktails: Incorporate aloe water into cocktails for a unique and healthy twist. It can complement drinks with citrus flavors or be a base for mocktails.
Detox water: Infuse aloe water with slices of fruits like lemon, lime, or cucumber for a refreshing detox water. This can be a flavorful and hydrating way to cleanse your system.
Freeze into ice cubes: Pour aloe water into ice cube trays and freeze them. Use the aloe ice cubes in your drinks to keep them cold without diluting the flavor.
How Much Aloe To Drink
Health experts recommend drinking 1 to 3 ounces of aloe vera juice daily. Because too much aloe can have a laxative effect, start with 1 ounce and work your way up once you know how it affects you.
Using Store-Bought Aloe Juice
If you plan on buying store-bought aloe juice or gel, make sure to look for aloe products that come from organically grown plants and are specifically meant to be consumed. The skincare gel you buy from the drugstore isn't the same thing!
📖 Recipe
3 Hydrating Aloe Water Recipes
Equipment
- Blender
- Mesh strainer or cheese cloth
Ingredients
Coconut Cucumber Aloe Water
- 2 aloe vera leaves (or 2 tablespoons store-bought aloe vera gel)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut water
- ½ small cucumber, roughly chopped
- Honey or agave to taste (optional)
Spicy Aloe Water Paloma
- 1 grapefruit, peeled and chopped
- 1 lime, peeled and halved
- 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled
- ½ cup sparkling water
- 2 aloe vera leaves (or 2 tablespoons store-bought aloe vera gel)
Iced Aloe + Peach Green Tea
- 1 green tea bag
- 8 ounces cool water
- 1 ripe peach (or ½ cup peach juice)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar
- 2 aloe vera leaves (or 2 tablespoons store-bought aloe vera gel)
Instructions
- Choose a large, plump leaf at the base of the aloe plant.
- Cut the aloe vera leaves into halves lengthwise and use a paring knife to remove the skin from the top as best you can.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the translucent gel.
- Combine the aloe gel with all of the other ingredients (except for the sparkling water, if called for) in the base of a blender. Puree on low until smooth.
- Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer to eliminate the pulp. Pour into a glass, top off with sparkling water (if called for), and drink the liquid straight away.
Video
Notes
References
Sánchez M, et al. Pharmacological update properties of Aloe vera and its major active constituents. Molecules. 2020.
Hęś M, et al. Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: natural sources of antioxidants — a review. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019.
Salehi B, et al. Aloe genus plants: from farm to food applications and phytopharmacotherapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2018.
Radha MH, et al. Evaluation of biological properties and clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera: a systematic review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician with more than 20 years of practice experience. 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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