Can I put aloe vera in juicer?

Aloe vera is a popular plant that has been used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care benefits. The gel inside the aloe vera leaves is packed with over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and antioxidants. Drinking aloe vera juice made from fresh aloe gel or buying pre-made aloe vera juice provides many health benefits. But can you also make aloe vera juice at home using a juicer? Let’s find out.

Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

Here are some of the top benefits of drinking aloe vera juice:

• Boosts hydration and helps with digestion
• Rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation and boost immunity
• Contains vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E, B12, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc and more
• May help lower blood sugar levels
• May promote heart health by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
• Contains enzymes that aid in digestion
• May help increase nutrient absorption
• Rich in amino acids
• Promotes skin and hair health

Can You Juice Aloe Vera Leaves?

Yes, you can juice aloe vera leaves at home using a juicer. However, there are some important things to keep in mind:

• Use only the inner gel – The outer rind of the aloe vera leaf contains a bitter yellow juice called aloin that can cause cramps and diarrhea. So you’ll want to peel away the outer skin and use only the clear inner gel.
• Blend first – Aloe vera gel has a slippery, mucilaginous texture that can clog up juicer parts. It’s best to blend the gel first before juicing to break it down.
• Extract the juice – A masticating juicer works best for juicing aloe vera gel to extract the maximum amount of juice.
• Drink immediately – Fresh aloe vera juice oxidizes quickly, so drink it right away or store it in air-tight container in the fridge for up to 12 hours.

Step-By-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to make aloe vera juice at home with a juicer:

1. Cut off an aloe vera leaf near the base of the plant. Choose a mature, thick leaf.
2. Stand the leaf upright in a cup for 10-15 minutes. This helps drain out the bitter yellow latex juice.
3. Wash the leaf thoroughly under running water.
4. Trim off the spiky edges from both sides of the leaf.
5. Make a cut near the base and slice the aloe leaf open lengthwise.
6. Use a spoon to scoop out the clear gel from inside the leaf into a bowl.
7. Put the gel pieces into a blender and blend into a liquid.
8. Pour the blended aloe vera gel into your juicer’s feed tube.
9. Juice the aloe vera gel, collecting the extracted juice in a glass or bowl.
10. Drink the fresh aloe juice right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Aloe Vera Juice Recipes

Here are some tasty aloe vera juice recipes you can try:

Classic Aloe Vera Juice

• 1 cup aloe vera gel
• 2 cups water
• Lemon juice
• Honey or stevia to taste (optional)

Juice the aloe gel with water and add lemon juice and sweetener if desired.

Coconut Aloe Vera Juice

• 1 cup aloe vera gel
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Pinch of sea salt

Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Enjoy over ice.

Green Aloe Detox Juice

• 1 cup aloe vera gel
• 1 cucumber, peeled
• 1 cup kale leaves
• 1 green apple, cored
• 1 inch ginger, peeled
• Squeeze of lemon

Juice all ingredients together and stir or shake before drinking.

Tips for Juicing Aloe Vera

Follow these tips when making aloe vera juice at home:

• Use organic, home-grown or fresh store-bought aloe leaves. Avoid aloe gel from the bottles as they may contain preservatives.
• Wash leaves thoroughly before juicing.
• Peel away the green rind before extracting gel.
• Blend gel before juicing for best results.
• Alternate blending and straining if pulp gets stuck.
• Juice right before drinking and avoid storing for long periods.
• Add lemon, fruits, vegetables, herbs or spices to enhance flavor.
• Start with small amounts like 1-2 ounces at first to see how your body responds.
• Drink immediately after opening the leaf to prevent oxidation.
• Consume within 12-24 hours and store any leftover juice in the fridge.

Selecting a Juicer for Aloe Vera

The best type of juicer to use for juicing aloe vera is a masticating or cold press juicer. Here’s why:

Masticating Juicer	Centrifugal Juicer
Crushes and presses juice out Operates at slow speeds Minimal heat buildup Higher juice yield Juices leafy greens, soft fruits well Less foaming and oxidation	Shreds produce at high speeds Generates heat that destroys nutrients Not ideal for juicing greens or soft fruits Lower juice yield More foaming and oxidation

As you can see, masticating juicers are gentler, operate at slower speeds and minimize oxidation – making them the best choice when juicing aloe vera for maximum nutrition.

Best Masticating Juicers for Aloe Vera

Here are some of the top-rated masticating juicers suitable for aloe vera juicing:

• Aicook Slow Masticating Juicer – Affordable vertical masticating juicer good for aloe vera, veggies, fruits, greens.
• Hurom HP Slow Juicer – Masticating cold press juicer with sturdy auger and strainer.
• Tribest Slowstar Juicer – Vertical cold press juicer with duo blade that minces aloe gel before juicing.
• Omega J8006HDS Juicer – Durable horizontal masticating juicer great for high juice yields.

Be sure to invest in a durable, high-quality masticating juicer if you plan to regularly juice aloe vera at home. Avoid centrifugal juicers as they tend to heat and oxidize the juice.

Precautions When Juicing Aloe Vera

When making and drinking aloe vera juice, keep these precautions in mind:

• Pregnant or nursing women as well as children should avoid consuming aloe vera juice due to lack of research on safety.
• Consult your doctor before using aloe supplements or juice if you have diabetes or are taking medication as it can affect blood sugar levels and interact with drugs.
• Aloe juice can have a laxative effect if consumed in large amounts.
• Drink only 1–2 ounces of homemade juice at a time until you know how your body responds.
• Aloe vera leaves may be contaminated with bacteria so proper washing is vital.
• The yellow sap contains aloin that can cause cramps and diarrhea.
• Aloe vera juice may cause allergic reactions in some people.

The Bottom Line

Juicing aloe vera leaves to make homemade aloe vera juice can provide exceptional health and beauty benefits thanks to its unique blend of nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. While it requires a few extra steps compared to juicing fruits or veggies, using a masticating juicer to extract the inner gel from aloe leaves can let you make fresh, additive-free aloe juice packed with active compounds.

Drink small amounts of pure aloe juice immediately after juicing to enjoy its digestive, immune-boosting and hydrating perks. Combine it with lemon, fruits, greens or spices to create more palatable aloe vera juice drinks. Making aloe vera gel juice at home lets you control the ingredients and quality, ensuring you get the most out of this amazing plant.