I have an Aloe Vera plant?!

Providing that you haven't sprayed anything on your plant, yes- it's safe to eat. It won't taste all that great, it has a rather bitter flavor, but it won't hurt you any. As a rule, it's mostly used for external applications on the skin. You don't even have to pull or cut the entire leaf off to use it, you can simply snip a bit off one of the larger leaves. It will give off a clear gel-goo, and that's what you want. You just rub or dab that on a burn, cut or scrape to help it heal. For minor kitchen burns it will help take the sting out. It won't work miracles on acne, but it does help the skin heal after a pimple has drained. It has certain antiseptic qualities, but it's not going to wipe out a major infection. It primarily helps you avoid one to begin with. You need to use it on skin that is not broken though, and not raw hide. You can apply aloe vera to any part of you you like as well. I can't say what the nutritional value of it is, although I know there are folks who do juice it and drink it, and I did know one person who ate the leaves. She ate them raw and cooked both, and all she did was chop it up. She did peel the big leaves though. I didn't particularly care for the taste or texture, as it was rather slimy if you ask me. I keep a small plant in the kitchen though, to use on odd burns and small cuts/scratches/bug bites. I've used it on my kids as well, it's perfectly safe for them too. It will soothe a sunburn, but you would need a big plant for the average toasted hide, and I usually just buy a bottle of gel if that much is needed. Cold aloe vera gel does feel good on burns of all sorts. And it's a nice looking little plant in the house. If it gets to any size, you can plant it outside depending on where you live. A very mature plant would need to have the leaves peeled to use them though- and you would want to be cautious about eating a plant from outside. Aside from pesticide concerns, there would also be the neighborhood dogs and cats to consider. So you'd definitely want to wash it first, no matter what use you had in mind. Your little plant needs no special care really. It needs a lot of sunlight, and to be kept warm. It doesn't need much water- keep in mind it is a type of cactus. If you overwater it, the thing will rot, starting with the bottom leaves. So make sure your pot has good drainage and don't water it until it's really dry. It doesn't need feeding either. Eventually it will make babies- called pups, at the base. When they get about 3-4 inches high, you pinch them off and transplant them in another pot. Now all this said- make a test patch on your skin and try the gel on your outside first. It's not common to be allergic, but it can still happen. If you react on the outside of you, you definitely don't want to eat it. Otherwise, enjoy your little plant. It's one of the easiest to raise.Health Question & Answer

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I agree with "the mom" completely with only one more little bit. If you eat the whole leaf (not just the clear gel inside) it can act as a laxative. There is a thin yellow layer called the latex between the clear gel and the green outer leaf. It is the bitter part and is a potent laxative for most people.Health Question & Answer

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aloe is wonderful for the face. Mix it with some emu or coconut oil and some tea tree.Health Question & Answer

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