An aloe vera as a houseplant not only brings greenery to the apartment, but also serves as a pharmacy on the window sill, because it can be used in many ways for skin care and for alleviating small skin problems. Our guide shows how to use aloe vera ice-cubes for sunburn and bites
To treat sunburn and insect bites, you can extract the healing gel of the aloe plant from the leaves yourself and apply it directly to the skin. Unfortunately, it spoils quickly at room temperature.
If you freeze the aloe vera gel, however, it lasts several months and is immediately available for emergencies with a cooling effect. Saving from insect bites and sunburn!
Make aloe vera ice cubes yourself
To make aloe ice cubes, you need the gel from one or two strong aloe leaves. Here’s how it’s done:
- 1. Separate the leaves of a plant at least three years old with a sharp knife and drain the poisonous aloin in large quantities. You can read how the gel is best extracted from the leaves here.
- 2. Puree the gel-like interior of the aloe leaves.
- 3. Pour the pureed gel into an ice cube and place in the freezer for several hours.
- 4. For example, transfer the aloe ice cubes to a screwed glass to save space in the freezer compartment. Write down the contents and filling date on the glass!
Aloe vera ice-cubes for sunburn: application
To relieve swelling and pain caused by an insect bite, simply put on an ice cube and let it melt slowly. You can prevent a drop of “aloe water” and too fast melting by holding the aloe cube with a washcloth or cloth on the stitch.
Large-scale skin problems, such as a sunburn,can best be treated with several ice cubes in a washcloth or cloth bag. Cool the aching skin areas with the aloe bag and moisten them again and again with the melting gel.
For further care of sun-stressed skin, a homemade after-sun balm with aloe vera is also recommended.
Tip: If you prefer to use aloe-vera gel only slightly chilled, you can alternatively store it in the refrigerator.
To extend the shelf life of the gel and other cosmetic products, you can add about one gram of vitamin C powder to 100 grams of the gel.
About 15 percent of alcohol (e.g. wine spirit) also ensures an improved shelf life.
It is worth growing one of the plants yourself on the window sill in order to always be able to produce fresh gel. Proper care of the aloe vera is very simple, because it belongs to the robust and easy-care plants that thrive even in people without green thumbs.
Also see: Foods that help prevent and treat sunburn
Also see: Make your own homemade aloe vera gel
