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Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take aloe?

Aloe vera naturally contains 200 biologically-active components including polysaccharides, vitamins, enzymes and minerals that work harmoniously together to support overall health. The polysaccharides found in aloe vera have been known to support a healthy digestive system by helping the body maintain a healthy stomach pH and supporting the growth of healthy bacteria. Aloe vera is the most studied plant in the natural products industry. Some studies have shown that aloe can help support a healthy immune system, improve absorption of other vitamins, minerals, and herbs, and support general wellness.

Why should I use Lily of the Desert products?

As the #1 seller of aloe in the natural products industry, Lily of the Desert separates itself in 3 key ways:

  • We grow, process, and manufacture our own certified, organically-grown aloe vera. This is rare in the aloe vera industry. Read More
  • Our products contain the fullest range of aloe polysaccharides and are enriched with Aloesorb™, allowing us to offer products with the highest efficacy of aloe vera benefits. Read More
  • We are the only natural product company to have “Gold Standard” clinical studies conducted on our products to back up any claims. Read More

What is the difference between Whole Leaf and Inner Fillet Products / Juice and Gel Products / Traditional and Preservative Free products?

Whole Leaf products contain the entire leaf with the aloin content filtered down to a safe level of less than 1 part per million. They contain both high and low molecular weight polysaccharides. The Inner Fillet products contain only the inner gel-like portion of the leaf and contain a concentration of high molecular weight polysaccharides.

When Aloesorb™ was added to our products, its high molecular weight aloe polysaccharides combined with the broad range of both low and high molecular polysaccharides found in our whole leaf products slightly outperformed the inner fillet products for whole health benefits.

The only difference between the juices and gels is consistency. They have the same benefits.

Since 1971, we have made what we call our regular juices and gels with the food grade preservative Potassium Sorbate, which is found in most aloe products.

In 2005, Lily of the Desert was the first company to develop technology that allows us to make USDA certified organic preservative free juice that still has all 200 biologically-active components found naturally in aloe. Recently, our preservative free products have become our best-selling items.

How long will your products last when opened and placed in the refrigerator? What is the shelf life of an un-opened product?

Our regular juices and gels that contain .1% Potassium Sorbate as a preservative will last up to 5- 6 months once opened and placed in the refrigerator. Our preservative free juices will last a minimum of 45-60 days once opened and placed in the refrigerator.

All of our products have a two and half year shelf life when unopened.

How should I take the juice/gel?

It is important to note that aloe vera works differently for everyone so we recommend starting out slowly. Our suggested serving size is 2 oz (4 Tbsp.) and you can take up to 8 oz a day. If you are taking aloe for digestive reasons, take a serving 15-30 minutes prior to your meals. Both the juices and gels can be mixed with any other cool liquid.

It is safe to take aloe vera on a daily basis.

What is Aloin / Aloe Latex / Anthraquinones / Yellow Sap?

Between the outer rind of the aloe leaf and the inner fillet lies the yellow sap (aloe latex) that contain anthraquinones (aloin). When taken in extremely high doses, aloin can be harmful. Unfiltered aloe contains approx. 10,000 parts per million of aloin.

Lily of the Desert aloe products contain a safe level of less than 1 part per million of aloin. They are safe to use daily. Read more about a recent safety study on our products.

Will taking aloe cause a laxative effect?

With our low content of aloin (less than 1 part per million), the aloe vera should help maintain a healthy digestive system and support healthy regularity.

How much aloe vera is in your juices/gels? Is it organic?

All of our products are made using our certified organic aloe vera that we grow ourselves. The regular and preservative free juices contain 99.7% aloe vera while the regular gels contain 99.5%. All of our products contain our certified organically-grown aloe vera.

Are your products Gluten Free, Kosher, and cruelty free?

Our products do not contain any gluten. Some of our products are certified Kosher by Kehilla. We are cruelty free.

Are your products cold pressed, cold processed or pasteurized?

Any aloe vera product available on the market is going to be cold pressed. There is actually no such thing as cold processed when it comes to aloe products. It is the law that all aloe plants must be heat treated in order to remove the harmful bacteria on the plant. If an aloe product claims to be “raw,” then it must have a disclaimer on the label. If there is not a disclaimer, then heat has been applied at some point. Many companies use batch pasteurization, which essentially cooks the aloe vera, damaging any biological components.

In order to retain the 200 biologically-active components Lily of the Desert utilizes flash pasteurization, applying heat for a limited amount of time, in order to provide the highest efficacy and aloe benefits on the market.

Can I give aloe vera to my children or pets? Can I take it while pregnant?

Our recommended dosage is for adults aged 13 and over. Children under the age of 13 and women who are pregnant should consult a physician. In regards to pets, you can use aloe vera topically for skin issues, however when taken internally, you need to take into consideration that overdosing might cause a laxative effect.

For pregnant women it is suggested that you speak with your physician/pharmacist about taking aloe vera as it has the potential of causing a laxative effect.

Is it safe to take aloe vera with my supplements/medications/herbs, etc.?

Aloe vera is a great daily supplement to maintain overall good health and digestion and will assist the benefits of supplements, herbs and probiotics. If you are taking prescribed medication it is recommended that you contact your physician or pharmacist prior to using aloe vera.

Why does your aloe taste bitter while others taste like water?

The natural flavor of aloe vera has a bitter, citrus-like taste to it. Lily of the Desert Preservative Free products have a more vegetable-like taste. Aloe products that taste like water have been fractionally-distilled, where the solid portions of the plants with the biologically active components have been removed. All true aloe products have a taste.

You can mix our aloe vera with other liquids to improve flavor without harming the potency.

How do I order your products?

We sell our products to distributors who then sell to retailers.  You can visit our store locator to find a retailer near you.

Which species of Aloe vera do you use in your products?

Our products contain the barbadensis Miller species of Aloe vera, which is used most often in commercial products.

Do you have a question not listed here? Send it to us here.