You can eat some types of Aloe Vera Plants.
However some types of Aloe Vera Plants can be poisonous and should not be eaten.
The edible Aloe Vera Plant has thick, wide leaves that grow upright and are a silvery green color.
It produces yellow flowers.
The non-edible version, the Aloe vera var.
Chinensis is used mostly for treating burns and skin ulcers and has narrow leaves that aren't as thick.
You can scoop the gel out with a spoon or slice off the other side of the skin.
Cut the gel into cubes and rinse them to wash off any dirt or the bitter latex, which is the yellow residue you may see.
You can eat the aloe chunks raw or use a gentle cooking method like poaching, blanching or steaming.
Aloe vera juice is a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals.
This lowers oxidative stress on your body and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer.
Aloe vera juice is also an excellent source of: Vitamin C.
As an oral supplement, aloe has no set dose.
For constipation, some use 100-200 milligrams of aloe juice -- or 50 milligrams of aloe extract -- daily as needed.
For diabetes, 1 tablespoon of the gel has been used daily.
High oral doses of aloe or aloe latex are dangerous.
Some side effects of eating Aloe Vera Plant include.
Blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Burning and itching of the skin (infrequent)
Stomach pain and cramps (high doses)
Diarrhea, kidney problems, blood in the urine, low potassium, muscle weakness, weight loss, and heart disturbances (long-term use at high doses)
Liver problems (rare)