Source: Folk prescription.

Efficacy: Laxative, detoxification and beauty, used for greasy and unclean skin, acne, boils, swelling and ringworm, allergic dermatitis.

Ingredients: 30 grams of aloe vera meat. Sugar (or honey) to taste.

Method: Cut a piece of aloe vera (about 6 cm long), wash it, first cut off the hard edges on both sides, then slice off the outer skin of one side, cut the aloe vera flesh, and cut it into thick strips. Put the aloe vera strips in a juicer, add an appropriate amount of water and whip to make a juice. Add sugar (or honey) before drinking, mix well.

Expert mottos

Aloe vera is a laxative. Its taste is bitter, cold, can clear liver heat, laxative, insecticide, often used for hot constipation, irritability, eye redness, carbuncle boils, swollen poison, damp heat rash ringworm, etc. “Benjing Fengyuan” said that it “cures stubborn ringworm in the first item and is very effective”. When used for beauty, it can moisturize and hydrate, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, sunscreen and spots, relieve skin itching, and can also treat sores and ringworms, mosquito bites, etc., which is a natural medicine for skin maintenance and skin lesions.

This drink is suitable for people with greasy and unclean face, enlarged pores, oily and dehydrated people to improve skin texture, and has good effects on people with acne, boils, abscesses, eczema, stubborn ringworm, pigmentation, and prickly heat. It is especially suitable in summer when the heat and humidity are high. People with damp and hot content, obesity and fat, and hot constipation can detoxify and defecate, slim down and lose weight. If there are aphthous sores, swollen teeth, red eyes, and sore throat caused by wind, heat, and poison, it is also advisable to drink.

This drink has a strong laxative effect, and is forbidden for people with spleen and stomach deficiency, diarrhea, loose stools and pregnant women.

Extended usage

Aloe vera leaves remove the appearance of green crust, take the white mesophyll with mucus can be applied externally, the aloe vera gel contained in it is the active ingredient of many moisturizing skin care products, has a good beauty effect, and the external effect is good. Apply aloe vera juice directly to skin sores, carbuncles, ringworms, redness, swelling and itching to promote healing and beautify the skin. For those with skin damage such as sunburn, burns, acne scars, scars, and mosquito bites, applying aloe vera juice can promote the repair of skin lesions. You may wish to keep a pot of aloe vera at home, which can be used for viewing and at any time to take the leaves for beauty.

(Excerpted from “Home Cooking for Beauty in Ancient Recipes”, published by China Traditional Chinese Medicine Press)