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| CREDIT: Food Trails/ER and Jenny |
Aloe Vera gel can be a natural reliever for sunburn, cuts and bruises; oh, minus the icky side effects from steroidal drugs. Because of its cooling and healing abilities it will come in handy this spring and summer. As it turns out, Aloe Vera is one of the leading ingredients in commercial brand skin ointments.
Don't forget that too much of one thing is never a good idea. Overuse of topical steroid creams can result in a weakened immune system, fluid retention, increased blood pressure, adrenal gland suppression, diabetes, the list goes on.
If you'd like to make your very own batch, we've got just the recipe:
Aloe Vera leaf: whole leaf meat
Citrus acid: 1/2 Tbsp
Coconut oil: 1-1/2 Tbsp
Vitamin E: 5 drops
Bentonite clay: 2 tsp
Essential oil: 5-7 drops
DIRECTIONS:
Peel the exterior (green leaf portion) of the aloe vera plant. Once you have the clear meaty part of the plant separated, place it in a blender with all of the other ingredients, except bentonite clay (mixing bentonite clay with metal objects reduces its healing properties). Once all ingredients are blended evenly, stir in the bentonite clay with a wooden or plastic spoon until it's fully distributed. Pour contents in a jar of your own liking and store in the refrigerator, then use as needed.
If you don't have all the ingredients readily at your disposal; don't sweat! You can still make a pretty good product if you blend just the aloe vera leaf, citric acid and essential oil.
Naturally, the main staple ingredient is aloe vera; but you'll definitely need at least one natural preservative -- vitamin E or citric acid -- everything else is optional. For a nice, thick and healing gel, use all of the ingredients provided above.
This recipe should last about 30 days depending on the climate and initial ripeness of your aloe vera leaf.
