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Aloe vera juice has become one of my go-to drinks thanks to its many health benefits. Before I jumped on the health food train, I thought aloe was only for topical use when you had a sunburn! Wrong! When my practitioner suggested I drink some aloe vera juice, I said, “Oh great, I already have some at home. I keep it with my sunscreen.” She gave me an odd look and was probably thinking Oh geez, this lady is going to need some serious hand holding. And she was right! I have learned so many things along the way, including the importance of knowing the difference between food grade and non-food grade aloe vera juice. More on that in a minute. But first – the health benefits I have experienced:

Healthy Digestion

Aloe vera juice is great for your belly! I use it on a regular basis to maintain a healthy digestion. It’s great for an upset stomach and is also very hydrating. I am not a fan of drinking it straight so I recommend mixing 1-2 tablespoons with a little bit of grape juice or cranberry juice

Cooling Effects

I am primarily pitta which means I need help staying cool. When my pitta headache strikes, aloe vera is one ingredient in my cooling tea. You can read more on pitta and find that recipe here. I use this Aloe Vera Gel for my tea, sunburns, and red skin. Just make sure you are not ingesting the aloe you find by sunscreen because that is NOT food grade!

Clears Skin

My skin tone tends to be on the red side, so aloe has helped minimize redness. In the summer I keep a big ole’ jug of aloe vera juice in the shower and will literally rinse with it on super hot days. Other times, I apply some gel on my face with a cotton ball. This reduces redness and evens out my skin tone. You can find the big ole’ jug of Aloe Vera Juice Inner Fillet on Amazon.

When purchasing, always look for “inner fillet.” Steer clear of “whole leaf” aloe. Some studies found a compound called Aloin in whole leaf aloe, which can be harmful. My favorite brand is Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Juice . This is my go-to for drinking daily in the summer and 2-3 times a week in cooler seasons.

Give it a try. Just be careful if you have low blood pressure. Aloe can help lower blood pressure, so if yours is already on the low side, take it easy!

Let me know what you think!