![Picture](/uploads/2/4/0/2/24026051/656322.jpeg)
Leaves
The leaves of the aloe plant are edible, according to the Plants for a Future database. The leaves can be eaten, but they are bitter and not very tasty. The leaves can be mashed and the pulp used in combination with the gel in juices.
The green part of the leaf that surrounds the gel is used in juices. It is also dried for use as a powder that is called latex, according to the National Institutes of Health. Aloe latex is used for its laxative effects. In 2002, the FDA required that all the over-the-counter, or OTC, laxative products containing aloe be pulled from the shelves. The reason for the ban was because of a lack of safety data from the manufacturers. Aloe latex is no longer available in OTC laxative products in the United States.
Seeds
The seeds of the aloe plant are edible, but they are also bitter and not used in cooking. The Plants for a Future edible plant database lists them as an "emergency food" only.
>CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ON ALOE VERA SEEDS<
Gel
The gel from the leaves is sometimes used in commercial jellies. Some chefs use aloe gel in different dishes for the gel's consistency. One chef listed with Lomejordelagastronomia uses aloe vera gel in an oyster dish called "The Essential Oyster," according to Lomejordelagastronomia.
The gel is used in a wide variety of juices and other drinks. It is sometimes combined with the pulp from the leaves.
Bitter Aloes
The bitter aloes is the yellow sap that runs from the base of a cut leaf. It is called aloe bitter or bitter aloes. The sap is dried before use to form a power for pills or boiled to remove the excess water and formed into crystals. Bitter aloes is used to treat a variety of physical ailments such as diarrhea, stomach upset and as an anti-inflammatory, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Cautions
Pregnant women should not use aloe latex or bitter aloes, as it can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Mothers who are still nursing should not use aloe internally, as child safety has not been determined.
Anyone taking diuretics, diabetes medication or heart medication should not use aloe internally. Before using any form of aloe internally, consult with your physician or other health care professional for possible side effects and drug interactions.
References