Many people are familiar with the healing power of aloe vera for burns and skin abrasions.

This succulent tropical plant has been used for thousands of years to soothe sunburned skin, aid in the healing of cuts, and even as a remedy for severe burns. But its beneficial properties are not solely for the skin. Aloe vera can also be blended into a drink and taken internally to apply its same healing powers to injured areas within your body.

I recently discovered that aloe vera is being used as a remedy for some increasingly common internal conditions lke heartburn, acid reflux and GERD.

And if you think about it, this makes good sense. These conditions are caused by excess acid in the stomach and esophagus — acid which burns the lining of these organs causing pain and discomfort much like a skin burn — and have the potential to lead to much more serious ailments.

Blended with cool water, fresh aloe vera gel can soothe this internal burning just like it soothes burning skin. If you are fortunate to have aloe plants growing in your garden, here is one technique for making aloe ‘juice.’

Aloe Vera ‘Juice’ Soothes and Heals

To make a blended drink of aloe vera, follow these steps.

1. Cut a small leaf from the plant and fillet* it.

2. Thoroughly rinse the flesh of the aloe (gel) until it loses its slippery texture.

3. Blend aloe gel and water (about 6 to 8 oz. of water, depending on size of leaf). I use a hand-held blender, adding cool water from the fridge so it’s ready to drink.

4. Drink it down! The taste is fresh & natural. If you taste any bitterness, you may have not removed all the green outer skin from the aloe gel.

* To fillet an aloe: Using a small sharp knife, cut off the spiny edges on either side. ‘Peel’ one flat side, then the other. For a complete tutorial, visit this webpage.

• Read more about Aloe Vera, Natures Remedy