Going Wild

w ith M a xin e I m m el m a n -Venter

2. Aloe Vera

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 About the Author

Maxine Immelman-Venter
Herbalist and Naturopath, Alive Holistic Healing

Maxine Immelman is an experienced Advanced Master Herbalist and

Naturopath. As an Holistic Therapist, her goals include educating
parents and children about making better life choices, gain
knowledge on natural alternative cures and living a balanced, healthy
life. In addition to her primary studies, Maxine has continued to study
various other modalities in the holistic health arena.

www.alivehh.weebly.com
[email protected]

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Contents
1 Introduction

2 Picking Guide

3 Uses

4 Recipes:

* Hair Recipes and

Remedies

* Aloe Vera Ceviche

* Aloe Vera Achaar

* Sunburn Remedy

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Back gro u nd

Introduction
As a child I had the bad habit of biting my nails. My mom decomposition process eternal life could be attained –

bought me a bottle of clear nail varnish that was laced with both on a physical and a spiritual level. Aloe was known

the juice of the Aloe plant. Needless to say, my first as the “plant of eternity”.

impressions of this plant were very bitter, to say the least!

Also famous is the elixir of the Swedish doctor Dr Yernest

This plain looking cactus-like plant has many hidden who died in a horse riding accident at the age of 104!
secrets that I only discovered much later on in life. The elixir which is known today as Swedish Bitters is

composed of practically the same ingredients: An ounce

The first known written reports on the nourishing juice of
of aloe, a gross each of zedoary root, gentian root and
the aloe vera plant reach as far back as 6,000 years ago in
the best of saffron, a gross of fine rhubarb root, a gross
ancient Egypt. Aloe was regarded as a sacred plant - the
of larch fungus, a gross of theriac venetaian all mixed
“blood” of which held the secrets to beauty, health and
with a pint of brandy.
immortality.

In Sanskrit, aloe is known as Ghrita-Kumari. Kumar

Both Cleopatra and Nofretete greatly valued the
means girl and it was believed that this plant supplied
nourishing juice and used it as a part of their daily skin and
the energy of youth to women and had a rejuvenating
beauty care. Even the dead were embalmed with aloe vera
effect on the female nature. It balances the pitta, kapha
because of its anti-bacterial and anti-fungi qualities. The
and vata.
common belief was that in stopping the physical

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 H ow To

Picking Guide
DOUBLE CHECK that you are harvesting the CORRECT Tip: DON’T throw these peels away, whilst you’re at it, run

plant! Aloe vera is well recognized by its thick, pointed your face and hands with a fresh aloe vera mask!

and fleshy green leaves, which can grow to about 12-19

inches (30-50 cm) in length. 4. You will now have a bit of clean aloe vera gel. You can

use it as it is straight in your smoothies (maybe an inch

Gather your basket and a pair of gardening shears of a long or so) or you can blend it.

sharp knife. Pick the biggest leaves, as they will be easier

to work with. In the recipes, you will need the gel, or cubes, depending

on what you decide to make.

Always leave enough leaves on the plant so that it

continue to grow happily! Let’s explore further!

Retrieving the gel

It may seem a little tricky at first, but you get the hang of

it quite quickly.

1. Cut the sides and the tip of the aloe vera.

2. Using a mandoline, a vegetable peeler or a knife, cut

off the “inside” layer. Dont worry if it doesn’t work

perfectly right away, it takes time and practise to get it

right.

3. Some people use a spoon to scrape off the gel, but it

can get messy.

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G o od n e s s

Uses
I go into a lot more detail in my book “The Healing * Soothes stomach ulcers and relieves Irritable Bowl Syn-
Garden - 50 flowers and herbs” but I need to point out a drome (IBS)
few of the mostly used cures. It is very difficult to choose * It works well as a natural laxative
only a few! * New studies have shown that it is useful in the

treatment of joint inflammation, osteoarthritis and

In medicine, we use the gel and the latex. Getting out cancer!
the gel has already been explained. The safet of using the * When used as a mouth rinse, pure Aloe vera juice is just
latex on a long term basis, is still under evaluation, so we as effective at reducing dental plaque buildup as regular
are going to stick with the uses for the gel, for now. mouthwash!

Aloe vera contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E! Topical Administration:
It also contains potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, * Great for diaper rash, and any other skin rash
calcium,copper, zinc, chromium and manganese – * Dandruff
drinking aloe vera juice daily could really lift your im- * Burns, including sunburn
mune system! * Improves wound healing

* Dry skin
Oral Administration: * Canker sores (mouth ulcers)
* Assists with weight loss

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 Let ’s g e t creative!

Recipes
I give a lot of recipes for culinary use in my book “The your dry and dull hair adding moisture and bounce.

Healing Garden - 50 flowers and plants”, so I am going to

list more practical, beauty and medicinal recipes in the Aloe vera and apple cider vinegar hair mask for
“Going Wild” series. dandruff
Mix one cup of fresh aloe vera gel, one teaspoon of honey

Aloe vera and yoghurt hair mask for shine and two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Mix well and

Mix three teaspoons of fresh aloe vera gel with two apply generously to your hair and scalp. Let it rest for 20

teaspoons of yoghurt one teaspoon of honey and one minutes and shampoo regularly. Do this twice a month

teaspoon of olive oil. Mix well and apply on hair and and get rid of that embarrassing dandruff!

scalp. Massage the mixture into the scalp well for 10

minutes. Let it rest for half an hour and wash. This mask Aloe vera and egg mask for dry hair
helps to restore the natural shine of your hair and also In a bowl, take three teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and add

works well in getting rid of dandruff. one egg. Mix using a spoon to form a smooth paste-like

consistency. Apply on your hair and scalp using a brush.

Aloe vera and coconut oil hair mask for Wear a shower cap and let it rest for about half an hour.

deep-conditioning Wash with tepid water and then shampoo to cleanse the

Mix two teaspoons of fresh aloe vera gel with one hair thoroughly. This mask gives your hair a boost of

teaspoon of honey and three teaspoons of coconut oil. hydration, as both aloe vera and eggs are highly

Massage well into the hair; let it rest for half an hour and moisturising.

then wash with shampoo. This mask will deep condition

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 Let ’s g e t creative!

Aloe vera and lemon mask for greasy hair this as hair mask and keep it on for 30 minutes. Wash with

Add 4-5 drops of lemon juice and 3 drops of tea tree oil shampoo and let the hair dry naturally. This mask helps

and mix them with 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel. Dip your preventing hairfall along with promoting hair growth.

fingers in this paste to massage the head. Cover your hair

with this mask and let it stay for 20 minutes. Shampoo Aloe vera and castor oil mask for thicker hair
and condition as usual. This mask provides moisture to Use can either use fresh aloe vera juice or gel for this

greasy hair while clearing up extra oil. The tea tree can mask. Mix a tablespoon of castor oil with 3-4 tablespoons

also help fight scalp infections. of aloe vera gel. Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil.

Apply this as mask to cover all the hair strands. Keep on

Aloe vera and vitamin E mask for healthy hair for 20 minutes and before washing off, massage the mix-

Take 3 vitamin E capsules and make a small cut in them ture on the scalp for 5 minutes. Clean the hair with a mild

to squeeze out the fluid. Mix the fluid in 3 spoonfuls of shampoo. Castor oil is highly conditioning nourishing and

aloe vera gel. Add a few drops of almond oil and give it helps in improving hair texture.

a good mix. Apply on the hair strands using hands. Keep

on for about half an hour and wash with shampoo. This

is a simple mask that can provide the hair with moisture

and vitamin E, both of which are essential for maintaining

healthy hair.

Aloe vera and fenugreek mask for hair growth

Soak 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water
overnight. When they soften, blend them to form a paste.

Mix this paste with 3 tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Apply

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 Let ’s Eat !

Aloe Vera Ceviche

Serves 4 to 6 rinse away any yellow latex (sap). Place the rinsed aloe

vera cubes in a bowl and combine with the lemon juice

INGREDIENTS: and half of the salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3

1 large aloe vera leaf hours or overnight.

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

¾ teaspoon salt 2. Drain well and combine with the remaining salt and the

3 scallions, (or onion) finely sliced scallions, mango, bell pepper, serrano chili, avocado, mint,

1 small mango, diced and lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

½ cup red bell pepper, minced

1 serrano chili, seeded and minced Serve immediately with crispy tortilla chips and garnished

1 firm avocado, diced with a lime wedge. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

3 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Corn tortilla chips for serving

Lime wedge, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. When you harvest the gel, keep in in tact and cut into

cubes and place in a colander. Run under cold water to

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 Let ’s Eat !

Aloe Vera Achaar (pickle)

by Khushbu Goyal DIRECTIONS:

INGREDIENTS: 1. Wash and pat dry the aloevera leaves. Remove the

3 big leaves aloe vera thorns from sides and cut aloevera into rectangular

100-150g methi dana / fenugreek seeds pieces.

1 teaspoon chilli powder

1/2 tspn turmeric powder 2. Boil water and add dana methi to it for 2-3 mins and

2 tspn dry mango powder cover it. Keep aside for 5-10 mins. Drain out excess water

1 tspn salt and keep methi aside.

1/2 tspn kalonji, rai (mustard),jeera(cumin),saunf (fennel)

1pinch Asafoetida powder 3. Meanwhile take a wok/kadhai and heat oil. When hot,

2 tbsp oil give tadka of cumin seeds, raai, kalaunji, saunf, tejpatta

1 tspn raisins and cashew nuts each and asafoetida powder.

3-4 leaves tejpatta / bay leaves

1 tspn sugar, powdered 4. Add aloe vera cubes and stir fry for 3-4 mins. Add salt

13. 2 mustard powder and turmeric powder. Cook till aloevera cubes are tender

but yet crunchy.

5. Add the methi dana after removing the excess water.

Add red chilli powder, dhania powder, mustard powder

and sugar. Mix well. Add raisins and cashew nuts tukdi

too.

6. Add dry mango powder. Mix well and cook for some

more time on low flame.

When the oil separates, off the flame and your instant

aloe vera achaar is ready!

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 Sun S e n s e

Aloe Vera Sunburn

Remedy
INGREDIENTS: 2. If you wish, you can cut off the thorns with a knife.

Then peel the skin off one side of each leaf.

Fresh aloe vera leaves (to make 1/4 cup of gel)

2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil 3. Use a spoon to scoop the gel from the leaves into a

Lavender essential oil (or other organic essential oil; but container.

NOT any citrus!)

Spoon 4. Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and a few drops of

Jar or container essential oil, if wanted, for aromatherapy (and to mask the

Food processor (optional) smell of the aloe vera). Blend the ingredients in a food

processor or beat with a fork.

DIRECTIONS:
5. Store the aloe vera gel in a container and refrigerate.

1. Wash off any dirt that’s on the aloe leaves and dry Coconut oil hardens when refrigerated, so you may need

them. If you don’t have access to an aloe vera plant, you to mix the gel before applying. A batch will keep for

can find fresh leaves in the produce section of most about a month in the refrigerator.

health food stores.

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