Pure aloe vera gel is not bright green or completely transparent in colour. On the contrary, it's slightly yellow or translucent gold. The colour of the gel also varies during the time of harvest. If the aloe gel is clear in colour, it was harvested in the monsoon season.
Some aloe vera gels also contain the pain-relieving ingredient lidocaine, but you're better off buying one that doesn't contain additives (including alcohol, fragrance, or color) to reduce the risk of irritation, says Dr. Saedi. That means your aloe should be clear—not green.
Here, it can last up to one week, but it will likely spoil within 24 hours at room temperature. In either scenario, you should definitely toss aloe vera at the first sign of discoloration, funky odors, or mold.
Most people experienced with raw Aloe say the color change is related to a rapid change in temperature. However, this too is something we have been unable to duplicate, even by subjecting fresh filleted leaves to rapid chilling.
When Aloe vera plants are subjected to unfavourable conditions, they may show some of the following signs: Leaves become pale in colour, the green colour fades to a straw yellow colour which eventually turns light brown. Leaf tips darken and dry out. Leaves dry out and wither.
Aloe latex, or juice, seeps from the leaf when cut. It's yellow in color and has a bitter taste. When ingesting aloe, the gel is the safest part of the plant. The latex has laxative properties and can cause serious health complications if used too often.
Aloe vera plant is turning pink due to overexposure to sunlight, excessive watering, low watering, and improper drainage systems are common causes. In addition to these sudden changes in temperature (sunburn), deficiency in salts, too many minerals (over fertilizer), improper soil mix, bugs, mold cause color change.
Aloe gel turns purple due to oxidation process when the leaf gel is exposed to the environment which starts the chemical reaction that might give aloe vera purple color.
One of the most common reasons for the development of red and brown aloe leaves is too much sunlight. The leaves of the aloe vera plant can start to wilt and turn red if it is placed in an area with full sun exposure (at least six hours of direct sunlight).
Brown aloe vera plants may be suffering from too much or too little moisture, but other causes might be excess salt in soil, fungal disease, sun scorch, chemical toxicity, or nutrient deficiency.
“Check if aloe juice is high up on the ingredient list; that indicates a higher percentage used, and double-check the qualifiers around any claims being made. With aloe, the purer the better. Opt for products that are closer to natural, colour and fragrance-free,” suggests Thapar.
Aloe vera gel can generally last for around two years if stored at room temperature and away from direct sunlight and humidity, or longer if kept in the fridge. Raw aloe vera gel may not last as long. Store-bought gel will usually have an expiration date printed on the packaging.
Prepared aloe vera gel without added vitamin C or E can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week. However, adding one or both of the vitamins significantly increases the shelf life to up to 2 months in the refrigerator.
In nature the green of the Aloe Vera plant is the result of interaction of the plant's chlorophyll with sunlight. Products containg Aloe or Aloe Vera which are green in color have artificial color dyes added (check their ingredient listing for RD blue and RD yellow, which when combined give the green color).
The most common problem with aloes is overwatering. You'll know your aloe plant is being overwatered when the leaves develop what are called water-soaked spots that look soggy and soft. It's almost as though the entire leaf becomes saturated with water, then it turns to mush.
Aloe Vera Leaves Are Generally Safe to Eat
They're best known for their gel, which is responsible for most of its health benefits ( 1 ). While most people apply the gel to their skin, it's also safe to eat when prepared right.
If an aloe vera is stinking and oozing, it often means it is rotting. Because it comes from an arid Mediterranean climate, aloe vera does not take well to wet soil. Wet soil encourages soil-dwelling fungi to grow and leaves the plant vulnerable to them.
Aloe vera plants turn grey when they are in shock. This occurs especially when there is a sudden change in its environment like a drastic increase in sunlight when moved outdoors for some sun. Although aloe vera plants can survive in the sun, you need to harden them off before keeping them out in the sun.
This yellow secretion is called aloin (aka aloe latex) and is stored in the aloe leaf pulp. Aloin is toxic and should not be ingested as it is a potent laxative. Try to avoid contact altogether, but if you do touch it, wash the area with warm water and soap to avoid any potential skin irritation.
When the leaf of an Aloe Vera plant is cut or broken, the latex that leaks from inside can temporarily cause the plant to release a foul odor. However, the smell usually diminishes quickly as the sap dries. A lingering stink is instead likely due to root rot.
Let the aloe leaf stand upright in a container or in your sink for about 10 minutes to let the yellow sap drain out. This sap is called aloin, and while it is not toxic, it has a very bitter taste and may cause stomach discomfort, so it is best to dispose of it.
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that's been used to treat various health conditions for thousands of years. It's usually safe to use also vera directly from the plant or you can buy it in gel form. Aloe vera creams, gels, and ointments contain the clear gel found in aloe veraleaves.
If you want to keep your whole aloe vera leaves for long-term use, you can also store them in the freezer. Just take your aloe leaves, place them into a freezer bag, and put them in your freezer. Stored this way, the leaves should be good for up to eight months.
A: Any product that contains water (including flower water, herbal infusions, aloe vera) NEED a preservative. This includes emulsions i.e. creams and lotions, and other aqueous products such as toners.