Aloe ferox is an indigenous plant that grows abundantly in the Albertinia - Mossel Bay area. The traditional aloe freerange harvesting method has remained the same for more than 200 years. The aloe plant is not damaged by harvesting and can be harvested every year or two. Harvesting is done in the bush and only six or seven of the lower leaves are cut from each plant. The growth point in the crown of the plant is not injured in any way and continues to form new leaves. This means that no herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers are used on the plants as they are harvested in their natural state.

Description of the Aloe ferox leaf

The leaf of the Aloe ferox plant consists of three different parts, yellow bitter sap, green peel and white aloe gel. The bitter sap lies underneath the green peel. The sap drains spontaneously when the leaf is cut. The inner fleshy portion of the leaf consists of a mucous material, named aloe gel, which has no bitter taste. The green skin is also rich in nutrients and fibre.

Extraction of bitter sap

Leaves are harvested in the veld. In an area where aloes are abundant, a basin-like hollow is made in the ground. The hollow is lined with a plastic sheet. Four to eight leaves from a mature plant are cut off close to the stem. Two to three hundred leaves are stacked in a circle, cut surfaces facing inwards and overlapping, so that the sap can drain and be collected in the hollow. After some hours the sap of several leaves drain and can be collected. The bitter sap is poured into a metal drum and then heated over an open fire. The bitter sap is continuously stirred until the volume of the sap is reduced by approximately half. The warm sap is then decanted into a tin and allowed to cool and solidify. This solid hard block is processed to produce bitter crystals and bitter powder.

Extraction of aloe gel

The leaves, from which the bitter sap has been tapped, are transported to the factory where they are washed, sliced and minced to form the aloe jelly. This jelly is further processed to create an aloe juice to be taken internally. The gel is also used as an ingredient in skin care products.

Aloe tea & fibre tablets

The dry aloe leaves are crushed to form tea leaves. A delicious herbal tea can be brewed. The dried leaf may also be ground into a powder which is pressed to form fibre tablets.

Important nutrients in Aloe ferox

Vitamins: B3 (Niacin), C.
Minerals: Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Carbonate, Sulfate, Zinc, Selenium, Tin, Nickel, Iron, Copper, Cobalt, Chromium, and Cadmium.
Amino acids: Asparagine, Glutamine, Proline, Glycine, Leucine, Lysine, Histidine, Phosfoserine, and Ornithine.
Mono- and Polysaccharides.
Anthraquinones: Aloin.

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