Ingesting Aloe Vera for Internal Healing

We've all heard about the healing benefits of aloe vera. We grew up rubbing it on cuts or sun burns, but research these days is showing that it can help with miraculous healing internally as well, if ingested. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and helps with digestive ailments and disorders, heartburn, ulcers, acne, asthma, and its a general tonic for the immune system. It also apparently helps you take in more nutrients and minerals from the foods you eat. Why would I NOT want to give this a try???

So, I bought an aloe vera leaf today and had no idea what to do with it. After looking it up online, I learned that you are NOT suppose to eat the actual leaf, just the "gel" that you find inside the leaf after slicing it open from the side. Take a knife or spoon and scrape down the leaf until you get all the gel off. Cut it into squares and put it in a left over container to use as needed.

I used about 1/4 cup of it in my smoothie today. I also read that in other cultures, they often juice it or use small cubes of it in salads. Don't expect any flavor...it tastes like nothing...that is why adding it to a smoothie or juice works well. It just blends into the flavors of the other ingredients.