Is Aloe vera Poisonous?

 

Poison may be a strong word, and Aloe vera is not poisonous.

The leaves of Aloe vera has three main parts, the rind, the latex, and the gel.

The rind is the thick outer layer of the leaf.  The latex is the yellow substance that is found between the gel and inner rind.  It is also the substance that heals the leaves when it is cut or punctured.  The third part, which is popular, is the gel.  It is viscous, colorless and transparent.

Among the three parts, it is the latex that made the plant thought to be poisonous.  Every time you cut the leaves of the plant, the latex flows out because this is how the plant heals itself.  The latex dries out easily and stops the flow of the gel from the leaves.

The latex contains the bitter, yellow-brown colored compound aloin, which is a laxative.  Aloin was once used as a stimulant-laxative for treating constipation.  Laxatives may overstimulate your bowels, which to some extent can lead to dehydration, but this is not true for everybody.

The latex is also bitter that you wouldn't want it on your drinks, that is why you have to remove it.

How To Remove The Aloe vera Latex at Home

After cutting the Aloe vera leaf, place it upright to allow the latex to drain out for about 10 minutes.  You will also notice that at some point, the dripping stops because the cut part has dried and is turning dark because of the latex.

Cut the leaves into parts and soak them in water for another 5 minutes.  

After soaking, scoop out the gel and then wash it with water.

You may watch the video below on how to prepare Aloe vera gel for eating.

Removing the latex this way may reduce or get rid of the bitter taste of Aloe vera gel.