You could also gently blend the diced aloe for 30 seconds and then pour it into ice cube molds. "This article is quite detailed. You could even divide the aloe-honey between several small glass jars and give them as gifts. I've been thinking of how to preserve my leftover aloe gel and this write-up has. unlocking this expert answer. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Be cautious when handling the aloe leaf that you don’t cut your hand on the spikes that run along each side. Ritu Thakur, MA. Wash the leaf then lay it flat on the table and cut off the serrated edges. Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has been used for thousands of years to topically treat burns, wounds and other skin conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Use a permanent marker to write the date on the plastic wrap so you remember how long you have before you need to use it. To learn how to extract the gel from your aloe leaf, keep reading! Acidity plus refrigeration can help your aloe vera gel to last longer. Finally, always use a clean … But once you have that leaf, what are you supposed to do? By storing aloe vera gel in the fridge, you can use it for much longer. When you’re done, the green exterior of the aloe should be gone, leaving you with the opaque gel from the center. Flip the leaf over and remove the bottom piece of skin. The fresh leaf is the best source of the pure aloe gel that is used on the skin. Aloe Vera is one of the most versatile and plants with countless benefits.It helps improve skin conditions like burns, respiratory problems and other various conditions.At OneHowTo.com we recommend … Storing the aloe extract and the leaf in the refrigerator can make it last longer for as long as a year. After you harvest an aloe vera plant, hold the cut end down so the aloin can run out. Store the liquid gel and lemon juice mixture in the refrigerator. Storing Aloe Vera Juice. If your aloe vera is in juice form, you will want to store it for a short a time as possible before drinking it. If you want to store aloe vera gel at room temperature, then your best bet will be to store it in honey. While it is best known for its external use on dry or burnt skin, aloe is also an edible ally. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad. 25 July 2019. Aloe Vera extract will obtain Aloe Vera juice. Acidity plus refrigeration can help your aloe vera gel to last longer. Choose pots with adequate drainage and potting mixes appropriate for cactus and succulents for a happy, healthy plant. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This way it can last for up to five years! The best thing is that this method helps … Mixing equal amounts of aloe and honey extends the shelf life of the aloe exponentially. This keeps the pieces of gel separate even after they freeze so that you won’t have to thaw out a frozen clump to get what you need. While your aloe vera gel will spend most of its life in the refrigerator, it wouldn't hurt to protect it from the light too. You can often find aloe leaves at health food stores, or you could buy a plant so you can harvest your own gel whenever you need! Just take your aloe leaves, place them into a freezer bag, and put them in your freezer. Discover 500+ spicy recipes and hundreds of pepper profiles, comparisons, cooking tips + more. If you do not have a fridge, you can keep your aloe vera gel in a cool, dry place. It is scientifically proven that … Cut off the pointed tip of the aloe vera leaf along with the two thorned sides. Heat will destroy many of the beneficial compounds contained in aloe. Expert Interview. Do not use self-watering pots for Aloe Vera and do not allow a lot of water to sit in detached catch pots. Here are some effective aloe vera storage options. This will keep the gel from tasting so bitter. When they freeze, they could mold to one another, making it difficult for you to extract a bag when you want to use one in the future. Using a smaller, sharp knife gives you more control than if you were to use a larger chef’s knife. Once the gel extracted from the leaf, Aloe Vera gel is at its best used right away but it can be stored on its own in the fridge for 10 days. You can even store the gel easily for a quick cure-all for future use. Create a cute label and pair them with other beauty-care essentials for a fun. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You can leave the diced aloe on the cutting board as you work your way down the leaf, or you can place it into a small, clean bowl set off to the side. Aloe vera soothes burns and skin irritations and works as a moisturizer for dry skin. You can use this aloe vera to make smoothies. You can cut the edges and peel off the top layer of the leaf and cut the entire leaf into small cubes and put them in a plate and freeze it. A nice spot in your pantry or a spare drawer in your kitchen are perfect places. Add 8 grams of crystalline vitamin C for every liter of aloe vera gel. Aloe vera prefers lean, well draining soils. You could even bake with the aloe-honey. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? For an extra measure of protection, you could even wrap the leaf in plastic wrap before putting it into the plastic bag. The aloe will be sticky and a little slimy. Here are some tried and tested ways to make your aloe vera gel last longer. The gel is the most versatile part of the aloe vera plant. Add lemon juice to fresh aloe gel to give it a slightly longer shelf life and to give it a fresh, citrusy scent. Blend either of them with the gel and freeze it for up to 8 months. Why buy it outside when you can make it right in your own kitchen? Store your aloe vera gel in cool areas such as the refrigerator. Add lemon juice to … Whether you use leaves that you buy from the grocery store or you get them from a plant in your garden, you may find yourself with more aloe than you need right now. Avoid exposing the aloe vera gel to direct sunlight and hot areas such as the kitchen or cooking areas. Aloe Vera Products. Squeeze the gel out of the leaf and apply it to your burn, or simply lay the opened leaf gel-side–down on top of the affected area. If you are using a leaf you just got from a plant at home, set it upright in a glass or jar for about 15 minutes before moving on. Keep your aloe vera gel at room temperature or slightly cooler. And though all the pieces is usually used, as soon as it has been extracted from the plant, typically you wish to save a specific amount for later makes use of. To store aloe leaves, you can refrigerate or freeze them so they're ready to use whenever you need them. Aloe vera is a well-known balm for treating sunburn, minor burns, and moisturizing skin and hair. Choose a leaf that's thick and green, and cut it at a slight angle, relatively close to the base of the plant. Homemade aloe vera juice will not have the thick consistency as store bought gel, unless a thickening agent is added. In this method, you can preserve the Aloe Vera gel for the longest period of time. Label the container so you’ll remember how long it’s good for. Use 100% natural, raw honey, which you can purchase at health food stores or possibly at your local grocery store. This article has been viewed 121,162 times. You want only the meatiest part of the leaf. Put the honey into the bowl with the aloe vera, and use a spoon to mix them together until it has a smooth consistency. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://pioneerthinking.com/how-to-preserve-and-regrow-an-aloe-vera-leaf, https://steptohealth.com/store-aloe-vera-gel/, https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/easy-peasy-tips-on-how-to-store-aloe-vera-gel-1856156, एलोवेरा की पत्तियाँ स्टोर करें (Store Aloe Leaves), consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. On storing Aloe Vera Leaves and gel: An Aloe Vera Leaf can be kept refrigerated for a couple weeks and in the freezer in airtight bags for as longs as to 6 months. If there are small streaks of green you can’t remove with your peeler, use your knife to carefully slice them away. Split the leaf and scrape the clear inner part out using a spoon or a knife. Store aloe vera gel with vitamin C You can use a vitamin C tablet to store aloe vera gel. Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. Never put frozen aloe into the microwave—it’ll change the consistency and decrease the medical benefits. 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. If the only part of the aloe vera leaf that you plan on using is the gel, then you can simply store it and discard the rest. Natural Health Care Professional. However, refrigerating the gel will slow down these natural reactions. Freezing the gel in an ice cube … Sometimes aloe gel can get discolored when it’s frozen. Like any other green plant, it has a relatively short shelf life when stored in the open air at room temperature. Commercial products will have their own container, but you’ll need a separate container if you extract the aloe vera gel yourself. Aloe vera likes lots of natural light and does best placed near sunny windows, although the plant may scorch if placed close to a window that receives harsh, unfiltered midday sun. To store aloe vera, you can also add vitamins E or C to extend the shelf life. Try to keep your hand that holds the peeler/knife as dry as possible to keep the utensil from slipping. Next, you have a couple of options for storing the gel: room temperature or frozen. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 121,162 times. Keep a whole aloe leaf in the fridge for 4-5 days. Include any other ingredients, like fruit, and use a blender or food processor to mix up your drink. If purchased from a store, carefully processed Aloe Vera products usually contain preservatives to help keep the beneficial ingredients active for an extended period of time, depending on the label, from a few weeks to several months. If using vitamin E oil, add 6000 IU per liter of aloe vera gel. You can also freeze or refrigerate your store-bought aloe vera gel. To use this gel for the hair, it can be stored in a squirt bottle. You can trim, peel, and freeze your aloe leaf to keep aloe readily available, or you can even mix it with honey to use as a face and hair moisturizer. Support wikiHow by To make aloe juice, use 1 cup of liquid for every 2 tablespoons of aloe gel. Discard the remaining stalk and rind. When you’re ready to use the leaf, take it out and unwrap it. It is best to store aloe extract in a brown or dark container to block out light. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Over-watering causes Aloe plants to fail at any time of year, but in the winter growers will find it a lot easier to over-water. Extract the aloe vera gel and transfer it in a blender. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Honey is a great product to use to store aloe because it never goes bad. There are two ways you can freeze the gel. If your aloe vera is in juice form, you will want to store it for a short a time as possible before drinking it. References. Knowing proper aloe vera juice storage information is crucial to food safety. It should keep in your refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. For store-bought aloe vera gel, you should always keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and it should stay good for about 2-3 years. Visit our sister site PepperScale. Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. Store Aloe Vera Leaf In storing both the aloe extract and the leaf, cold temperature is important. If you are freezing multiple baggies, try to not squeeze too many bags together in a small place. Uses Of Aloe Vera For Skin And Hair. For longer-term storage, place your aloe leaf in a plastic freezer bag and put it in the freezer for 6 to 8 months. This article was co-authored by Ritu Thakur, MA. I use the leaves to tackle skin irritations. To learn how to extract the gel from your aloe leaf, keep reading! % of people told us that this article helped them. When you want to use the leaves, put them on the counter and allow them to come up to room temperature, which should take 2 to 3 hours. How to Store Aloe Vera To Keep It At Its Freshest. The objective of wrapping aloe leaves properly is to keep them in an airtight environment to prevent oxidation. Keep it in your refrigerator only for the hour or so it will take to get cold. Aloin can cause diarrhea and other stomach problems if it’s consumed. This will allow the aloin (a red/yellow liquid) to drain out of the leaf. Most Effective Ways to Store Aloe Vera Gel. Freezing the Gel Get an ice cube tray to store your aloe vera gel in. You can either buy an aloe leaf at the grocery store, or you can harvest aloe from a plant you have at home. Stored this way, the … 1 week/7 day- (if you refrigerate this) you don't need to add anything whether you keep it as gel or leaf. This is also a great way to preserve raw aloe gel that is on the brink of expiring. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Make sure to label the baggie with the item description and the date upon which you placed it into the freezer. 1. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Start on one side and filet off the skin, much like you take the skin off a fish. how long you can store aloe vera leaf? This article has been viewed 121,162 times. Natural aloe vera gel is a substance that has many makes use of. As you may already know, honey’s shelf life is basically unlimited as it does not spoil. The aloe vera plant is a succulent that stores water in its leaves in the form of a gel. By using our site, you agree to our. Stick the cookie sheet in your freezer for 30 minutes or so before bagging up the pieces of aloe vera gel. This container should keep air and water away from the aloe vera gel. Add lemon juice in it as it is a good source of vitamin C and acts a natural preservative. If you are using a food scale, you could just place the clean bowl on the scale and measure the aloe directly into that so you don’t dirty more dishes. Once you’re ready to use the leaf, simply unwrap it from the plastic wrap and begin the process to extract the gel. So, aloe vera gel at room temperature should be used within 24 hours of extraction. If you have a recipe that calls for honey, simply substitute this mixture in its place. Never defrost a frozen aloe leaf in the microwave—this’ll change the consistency and will drastically decrease its health benefits! What are the best ways to store leftover aloe vera? Aloe vera is used for a lot of different purposes—it can be applied to help relieve sunburn, used in hair and face masks, and can even be consumed in beverage forms for additional health benefits. To make use of the aloe vera plant’s soothing properties, remove a mature leaf from the plant and cut it lengthwise. If the gel is getting close to the 10 day mark, you can freeze what remains so that none of it goes to waste! When you thaw out frozen aloe vera, let it warm up gradually by leaving it at room temperature. Lay the leaf flat on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to remove the top piece of skin. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You don’t have to blend the aloe, but it does make it easier to mix in with the honey and gives the mixture a smoother texture. Last Updated: August 12, 2020 Add lemon juice to the aloe vera gel and blend them until they are liquefied. Alternatively, you can wrap each leaf separately if you only use one at a time. Simply wrap the leaves in plastic to prevent exposure to air and make sure to re-wrap it properly every time you take a piece out. Store it in an amber bottle or jar, which absorbs UV radiation and protects the gel's beneficial compounds. Adding vitamin E to the gel can help prevent this. Aloe Vera goes dormant during the winter, so growth slows and water needs decrease. To keep a whole aloe leaf, wrap it in plastic, making sure to cover the cut end where it used to connect to the rest of the plant, and put it in your refrigerator. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Store-Aloe-Leaves-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Store-Aloe-Leaves-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Store-Aloe-Leaves-Step-1.jpg\/aid10367471-v4-728px-Store-Aloe-Leaves-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"