How to Harvest Aloe Vera Juice From a Plant

Aloe vera is a succulent plant native to Africa. It grows in hot, arid climates and can be found growing in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and other states with hot, dry climates. The juice of the aloe vera plant is known to have healing, curative properties when drunk or applied topically. While aloe vera juice can be purchased at stores, the healing properties are most potent when the juice is harvested and used fresh. It's very simple to harvest aloe vera juice from a plant.

Things You'll Need

• Paring knife
• Spoon
• Bowl

Instructions

1. Rinse the aloe vera stalk thoroughly to get any dust, dirt, pollen, or chemicals off of the surface. Pat it dry, without applying much pressure.

2. Slit the aloe vera open on both long sides. If done correctly, you'll have two identically shaped pieces, which are mirror images of one another, with exposed aloe vera juice on the cut side of each of the pieces.

3. Hold one of the pieces in your non-dominant hand, and use the spoon to scrape the aloe vera juice into the bowl. Drag the spoon over the now-open leaf two or three times, to ensure that you harvest as much of the aloe vera juice as possible.

4. Repeat this spooning process with the second half of the aloe vera leaf. Discard both pieces of now-empty aloe leaf.

5. Use the harvested aloe vera juice topically to treat dry or sunburned skin, or mix a tablespoon or two into water or juice to take internally.