Aloe

Most of us know aloe as a desert cactus that’s good for soothing sunburns. But this multi-purpose plant does more than that; it can also bring nourishment and comfort to the intestines. This is the truest meaning of comfort food!

- Meghan Telpner

YOU PROBABLY HAVE PLASTIC TUBES OF ALOE GEL HIDING AWAY IN YOUR medicine cabinet for those summer days when you need to cool off your skin after too much UV exposure. But here’s what few of us consider: If a natural edible substance is soothing to our outsides, is it possible that it can soothe and bring comfort to our insides, too? In the case of aloe, the answer is yes!

We commonly find aloe in gel form at the pharmacy, often bright green and served up with filler ingredients, dyes and fragrances. We may also find aloe juice in bottles at the health food store, often served with other ingredients. Most commercial aloe products are heavily processed and have been deodorized and diluted.