How to Make Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice, aloe water, aloe drinks, whatever you call it, it is not only refreshing and delicious, but it also has many health benefits. Find out how to make aloe vera juice with this easy recipe!
My kids ask for aloe vera juice every time we go to Trader Joe’s. They love the refreshingly sweet flavor and little pieces of chewy aloe vera.
When we noticed aloe vera leaves at Whole Foods recently, we decided to try making aloe juice or aloe water ourselves. It was fun and easy to make and very tasty.
Aloe vera is a succulent plant in the Liliaceae family. The leaves are filled with gel that has many health benefits both orally and topically.
Is Aloe Vera Juice Good for You?
With my kids drinking so many aloe drinks, I started wondering, “Is aloe juice good for you?” So I did some research to learn more about the health benefits. Like many things, there are more and less healthy varieties of aloe juice available in stores. The aloe drink sold at Trader Joe’s is made by a brand called OKF and includes organic sugar and grape flavor. It contains 60 calories and 11 grams of sugar per 8 oz. cup.
5 Aloe Vera Juice Benefits
The aloe vera plant has been used medicinally for thousands of years, particularly for wound healing, but for other uses as well. Aloe vera contains over 200 biologically active compounds including enzymes, 18 amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, C, and E. It also contains minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and chloride. Aloe vera leaf is said to be the most used medicinal plant in the world. There are many aloe vera leaf benefits, which you can read about in-depth here.
The most important of the aloe vera constituents, however, are its polysaccharides, which make up 6-15% of the plant.
1. Oral Health
Studies have found that the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera may reduce gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, compounds in aloe vera called anthraquinones may help control bacteria that leads to cavities.
2. Promotes Hydrated Glowing Skin
Aloe vera is very hydrating and soothing and taken internally, which may help prevent acne and dermatitis. In addition, the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may help protect the skin against cellular damage and premature aging. Further, plant growth regulators found in aloe called gibberellins promotes collagen and elastin formation.
3. Digestive Health
Aloe leaf juice has been used all over the world for various gastrointestinal problems. One of the most common uses for aloe vera juice is the treatment of IBS and constipation. The laxative compounds found in aloe vera are called Anthraquinones, and they work by reducing intestinal water absorption. This compound is found in the natural latex of the plant.
4. Anti-Inflammatory
The gel inside the aloe vera leaf contains anthraquinones with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In one study, aloe vera extract reduced inflammation in arthritic rats by 48%.
5. It’s a Detox Drink and May aid in Weight Loss
Like our other favorite Detox Drinks, aloe vera has been found to support healthy liver function, which is very important for detoxification. Studies have found that it is protective against alcohol-induced fatty liver.
It may also have the ability to lower cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. Studies have found that lophenol and cycloartenol found in aloe have the potential to reduce belly fat.
How to Make Aloe Vera Juice
Making aloe vera juice at home is easy and really just requires two ingredients: an aloe vera leaf and water. The two get blended together to break down the inner aloe leaf gel and dilute it. From there you can flavor the fresh aloe juice in a number of ways. There are some important things to know when working with aloe leaf, however.
Step 1: Get a Piece of Aloe Vera Leaf
You can find aloe vera leaves at more natural grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Sprouts. I got mine at Whole Foods. You’ll only need one leaf as there’s quite a bit of gel hiding underneath the thick skin. I used about half of the leaf to make 1 quart of juice.
Step 2: Peel the Aloe Vera Leaf
Use a sharp knife to cut away all of the skin, revealing the aloe gel center. Be very careful as the gel makes hands and knives very slippery.
Aloe vera leaves are comprised of three main layers: green outer skin, yellow latex, and clear gel. It’s important to remove all of the latex, as this contains the natural aloin which is a natural laxative.
Step 3: Rinse the Aloe Gel
Aloe vera naturally has a very bitter taste. It’s important to give it a good rinse to remove some of this bitterness and wash away any residual latex.
Step 4: Blend with Water
Dilute the aloe gel with water by blending in a blender. You can blend until it’s completely smooth, or pulse so that there are chewy bits (my kids’ preference). The gel has a similar consistency to Sea Moss Gel, which also has similarly wonderful health benefits.
Aloe Vera Drink Flavor Variations
Fresh, pure aloe vera juice can be left as-is and won’t taste like anything. You can store it in the fridge and add to diluted juices or drink as is.
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice + agave or liquid stevia to taste
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
- 2/3 cup pineapple juice
- Sparkling water to taste
Frequently Asked Questions
How much aloe vera juice should I drink daily?
To reap the health benefits of aloe juice, it’s recommended to drink one to eight ounces per day.
What are the side effects of drinking aloe vera juice?
Aloe vera can have a strong laxative effect, so it’s important to only consume diluted aloe vera in the form of juice. Never eat the gel alone, as this can result in permanent kidney damage.
Because the safety of internal aloe use is unknown in people with liver and kidney disease, do not use it if you have liver, kidney, intestinal, heart, or electrolyte problems.
There may be drug interactions, particularly for those taking diabetes medications, diuretics, or laxatives.
Aloe contains natural latex, so those with latex allergies should be extra cautious.
Is Homemade Aloe Juice Healthier than store-bought?
Generally yes, homemade juices are healthier because they are fresher and the nutrients have not had time to break down. Further, the polysaccharides in commercially produced aloe vera drinks may be destroyed during processing.
Where can you buy aloe vera drinks?
If you can’t find fresh aloe vera leaves, you can always buy store-bought aloe juice. As mentioned above, my kids like the juice from Trader Joe’s, however, there are more pure varieties available at other natural foods stores. You can also find it on Amazon.
How to Make Aloe Vera Juice
Homemade aloe vera juice is easy to make, tasty, and provides numerous health benefits, from clear glowing skin to weight loss and detox. Here's how to make aloe vera drinks at home!
Ingredients
- 1/2 large aloe vera leaf
- 1 quart filtered water
- 2 limes, juiced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons agave syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Cut a large aloe vera leaf in half.
- Use a sharp knife to carefully remove the skin. Be careful, as the aloe is very slippery. Discard the skin.
- Rinse the aloe gel to remove some of the bitterness.
- Place the peeled and rinsed aloe in a blender. Add the fresh water, lime juice, and sweetener.
- Blend the water and aloe into a juice. Some people like to aloe vera completely dissolved, while others prefer little chewy bits.
- Taste the aloe juice and add more sweetener or lime juice to taste. Serve immediately over ice or refrigerate for up to one week.
Notes
Flavor Variations
Feel free to use this aloe vera juice as is, or flavor as you'd like. I love to add lemon or lime juice plus about 2 droppers of organic stevia (Trader Joe's recommended) for a lemonade flavor. Pomegranate, cranberry, pineapple, and orange are all tasty additions as well.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 37Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 0g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your favorite calculator.
AWESOME!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING….
If I had two stents put in last may 2020 and am doing very good, should i not be drinking aloe vera juice? Of course, the okf brand that i purchased has way too much sugar in it. and it only has 30% aloe vera. I usually put 8 oz of the 30% juice into an 18 oz empty bottle and add 10 oz of water. and it actually is delicious. but now that i know i can get the okf with stevia in it, i will change from the one that i have been buying at big lot’s. thank you. you had lots of interesting thing to learn from today since i am 82 years young.
I am still nursing my 2 year old is it safe for me to make and drink? And also give it to him ?
SAfe for you, Yes…maybe not your 2 yr old though…lots of fibre!
Nice article! Very Helpful. Thanks for sharing. Keep inspiring us. 🙂
Best article! Thank you for sharing. Very Helpful. 🙂
Out standing article, thank you so much for sharing, very helpful.
Love the video alot of great stuff I’m gonna try 1 of them
How many cups of water &How much water 💧 🤔
Hi Maria, please see the recipe card above for the recipe measurements. It’s 1-quart water which is 4 cups. https://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2021/01/how-many-cups-in-a-quart-gallon-pint.html
Hi maria…l have many Aloe vera plants that just keep multiplying and I would love to make juice from them Since my husband loves it! Can you please tell me how big does the plant have to be or does! it matter at all …?
Thanks for this really good article and recipe. I’m sort of shocked at how many recipes there are online for this that don’t explain the need for rinsing the latex off the gel center, and amount of water to blend with it. (I made some once without rinsing and had the predictable results 🙁
Excellent. adequately informative and helpful.
thanks SHARING THIS AMAZING RECIPE
Thanks for this helpful recipe
great aloe vera juice recipe
Hello, could you explain what you said: “Never eat the gel alone, as this can result in permanent kidney damage.” and give reference for what you claim please?
Hi! I may not be the author, but I think she may have meant eating the aloe latex as that can cause liver and kidney damage and eventual failure.
Substitute for agave? I have brown sugar, pancake syrup, and dark corn syrup. What would go best with this?
I’d substitute agave with Honey!
Hi Marina, since not all aloe leaves are created equally, could you please give me an approximate measure of the amount of aloe to use, either in cups or weight? thanks!
I freeze the juice in silicone ice trays. I prefer small shape cubes. I drop them in my drinks. Especially makes a difference in the summer, working outside… Helps keep hydrated, doesn’t change flavor or consistency.