Aloe vera has become one of the most popular houseplants in the world. Aside from its aesthetic appearance, this plant is hardy and easy to care for. Rich in water, vitamins, enzymes, sugars and minerals, it is a real treasure chest for health. Its medicinal effects have been widely demonstrated. But behind all its advantages, there is a big drawback: its growth is very slow, its leaves can take three to four years to mature to extract its miracle gel. But by the way, how could banana be useful for your Aloe Vera? The association may seem unlikely to you, but there is a very interesting explanation.
Discovered 6000 years ago by the Egyptians, Aloe Vera was then called “the plant of immortality”. Just that ! Suffice it to say that since the dawn of time this medicinal plant has offered multiple health benefits. It is used to treat wounds, skin diseases, asthma, epilepsy… not to mention the fact that it soothes burns and psoriasis. Moisturizing, relaxing and emollient, it is also highly appreciated for skin and hair care. Precisely to exploit all its virtues and to boost the growth process, gardening experts sometimes opt for original and unusual methods. One of these is to grow it inside a banana, as if it were a vase. We tell you more.
How to extract Aloe Vera gel?
To take advantage of its many medicinal effects, it is important to know how to harvest this succulent plant to extract the liquid gel found inside the leaves.
You should know that this gel has notable antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It is known to relieve sunburn, insect bites and all types of burns. Of course, it is easily found in herbalist’s shops or hypermarkets. Only problem: a quality pot is quite expensive. And above all be careful, because very often you can buy a gel mixed with additives or too diluted. It will therefore not have the desired effect!
In the meantime, if you’ve planted some at home and it’s harvest time, we’ll walk you through the steps to extract the gel from it.
- First of all, you need to cut off the ends of fully mature leaves. They cannot be missed, they are quite large (about 20 cm) and very thick as they contain a high concentration of gel. Cut them very carefully.
- You will immediately notice a yellowish substance starting to flow from the sheet. This is the sap, not the gel. More precisely, it is aloin, a liquid with a formidable laxative effect. Today it is little used in the health field because this product is considered toxic and irritating, with many side effects.
- We therefore recommend that you remove it completely so that it does not come into contact with the gel. To do this, install the sheet vertically in a glass or bowl. Then soak the sheet in water or under the sink for a while. The time when the lymph disappears completely. Please feel free to scrub it manually to make cleaning easier.
- Now that the sheet is completely clean, all you have to do is remove the thorns from the edges, being careful not to hurt yourself!
- This is the most delicate moment of the operation: the skin must be removed in order to extract the Aloe Vera gel. Help yourself with a cutting board. Roll out the sheet and use a sharp knife. Go very slowly, don’t rush. On both sides of the sheet, you need to remove the skin thinly to avoid wasting gel.
- Once this step has been completed, you now hold this famous gel with a viscous but still dense consistency in your hands. Make sure there are no more small green residues of the leaf and check that it does not contain traces of aloin.
- Once thoroughly cleaned, cut this transparent gel into small pieces and place them in a container that you can store in the refrigerator, well away from heat. You can even store the gel in the freezer for a whole year!
Why put aloe vera in bananas?
Now that you know how to extract the gel from the plant. You will understand why the idea of putting Aloe Vera in the banana is particularly sensible. And this, even if it seems a little absurd to you!
In fact, what you need to know is that the Aloe Vera plant cannot grow new leaves. This is why it is very important to learn how to cut them correctly.
However, the banana is just the ideal fruit for growing a new plant. Concretely, it will act as a vase to give life to the roots. Save the banana with the peel, then make a small circle in the center. This is where you will insert a piece of aloe vera. Leave it for at least a day.
The fruit will then turn brown. But, by removing the piece of aloe vera from the banana , you will see that the plant reveals several new roots. You can then transplant it into a mixture of sanded potting soil and compost. You will have saved a lot of time: you will notice that your new aloe vera plant grows day by day!
Some natural ingredients to nourish your Aloe Vera plant
If you want to stimulate the growth of your Aloe Vera, there is no need to spend too much. Here are some natural tips that are very effective.
- Did you know that eggshells are great for plants? Instead of throwing them away, mash them with a fork and mix them with the soil. Thanks to their numerous nutrients (calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, silicon, etc.), they will help the plant to have healthy and strong growth.
- Black tea or any natural tea is also very suitable for nourishing Aloe Vera and providing it with all the nutrients and minerals it needs.
- Contrary to what you might think, coconut oil has no nutritional benefits for your succulent. It is mostly applied to the leaves to suffocate any pests that hibernate in your plant during the winter. The latter cannot stand the smell, immediately feel intoxicated and are never seen again.
Warning
If Aloe Vera is very rich in health benefits, it does not mean that it is suitable for everyone! There are also some contraindications.
Here are tips to consider:
- The Aloe Vera plant is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- People with fragile intestines should avoid it to avoid some irritation.
- Likewise, it is not recommended for people with diabetes, as it can cause hypoglycemia.
- Better not to apply it to children under 12 years old