How to Harvest Aloe Vera Juice From a Plant

Overview

Also called "true aloe," aloe vera provides you with a plethora of uses as a beneficial succulent plant. From burns and bug bites to maintaining a healthy digestive tract, the juice of aloe vera contains glycoproteins and polysaccharides to help repair and soothe damaged tissue. Harvesting aloe vera and extracting the juice from it allows you to take advantage of the plant's natural healing properties at home.

Step 1

Cut the pulpy leaves, or fronds, from the aloe plant.

Step 2

Use the paring knife to carefully skin the aloe fronds. The thin layer of skin is tough, but easy to peel apart, exposing a gel-like pulp. Be careful not to prick your fingers on the spikes on the outer ridges of the aloe leaves.

Step 3

Drop the slimy gel pulp of the aloe into your electric juicer or food processor and juice it on its highest setting. A pound of pulpy aloe leaves makes about 2 cups of 100 percent pure aloe juice. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, aloe vera is 99 percent water, meaning it won't leave much pulp behind once you juice it.

Step 4

Pour the resulting juice gel into a glass jar. Secure it tightly and refrigerate it for future use. Refrigerated aloe juice keeps for about a month.