Mini Preparedness #8 - Aloe Is A Must Have

In the past, I have stressed the need for seeds.  Seeds that can easily grow into little plants, quickly and easily, so you have those nutrients to add to your daily diet.  Sprouts.  Sprouts are what I believe could give any person, who is looking for a bit of 'green' to add to an otherwise canned or dried diet, exactly what they need.  They are refreshing and healthy. Another item that I feel is vitally important is an Aloe Vera plant.  I shouldn't say you need one, because the way they grow, one will be a dozen in no time.  A dozen is a much better to have for sure.

Aloe vera is so darn easy to grow.  Some growers may give you advise on how to water, fertilize and trim but I keep it simple.  My planting mix is half potting soil and half yard dirt.  I water when the soil is totally dry.  And if it looks a bit ill, I will change up my watering to make the plant look happy again. Simple enough?  The above plants started out being one, almost dead, piece of a plant.  That was just 2 months ago.  Now, I pick up any good size pot from a yard sale to grow the babies in. I have a total of 12 pots today.  It is still warm enough for them to thrive so I will encourage them the best I can. I'll probably divide them one more time while it is warm and then leave them alone til spring. Unless they look too crowded.  During the winter months, I'll keep them in a protected area til spring.

Now for what we can use this succulent for - the possibilities are amazing.   Most importantly is why we want this in our 'preparedness collection'.  To use to sooth a skin burn or irritation is the most common and most important for the prepper.  You are not going to run up to the store and grab a bit of Bactine for relief.  You will need to use what you have available.  Aloe is perfect.  And i would start using it right away so you are accustom to how it works before you find yourself in desperate need.  Secondly, a little bit of aloe can help a mild digestive disorder. 

Tame dry or frizzy hair. This is much like any hair gel. When hair is dry and the ends want to just fly away, rub a small amount of aloe gel in your hands, then smooth over the dry ends. It takes very little to have a great effect.

As a shaving gel for your legs or face it is great. Smooth a small amount on the area to be shaved and you will have a smooth, cool shave.

 Razor burn, sun burn, any light skin irritation will feel so much better with a bit of aloe applied – and the healing properties so important.

 Use as a facial moisturizer. Take a look at the contents of those expensive products that you buy. The same contents are in aloe vera, only you are using a pure and natural form. The vitamin A, C and E, and the enzymes will help calm inflammation and irritation such as acne. The moisturizing properties even help with the age old problem of wrinkles. Not to mention how super it feels in a hot summer day if you keep you aloe in the refrigerator.

And - if you have a concern about that aging and sagging skin, especially the neck area, this could be your answer.  No surgery, no injections, no pain and very little cost, if any if you are growing your own.  Aloe vera gel is for sure worth trying.  

Ice cube size aloe vera gel is a great way to store your gel if you want to keep it super chilled and for summer use.  Once they are solid, it is simple to add them to a zip loc storage bag and keep frozen.

Now for the most important part - processing your plant so you have the best results and get the most from each section.

1. When ready to harvest the gel from an aloe leaf, choose an outer leaf that is healthy and grows toward the bottom of the plant. To remove the leaf, cut it at an angle close to the plant's base. Plants that are too immature to harvest will not have leaves growing close to the ground.

2. Once you cut the leaf from the plant, place it upright in a container in a slightly tilted position. Let the leaf stay in that position for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, allowing the sap to drain from the leaf.

3. Place the aloe leaf on a flat surface such as a cutting board. Carefully cut off the tip of the leaf and the pointed rough edges on both sides using a very sharp knife. Make certain to cut both sides of the leaf all the way from top to bottom.

4. Separate the front and back of the leaf by slicing it lengthwise from the inside.

5. Scoop out both the slimy mucilage gel and the clear inner gel which appears more as a solid gel. For most leaves, a spoon works for scooping out the gel. If the leaf is very large, a butter knife may work best. When removing the gel, it is important to press down lightly but firmly, being careful not to remove any remaining sap.

You have the info you need.  Go out and find yourself a bit of an aloe vera plant and get it growing so you are prepared