So the yellow, stinky stuff is called aloe latex and if you are going to consume aloe for the health benefits you want to first drain the aloe latex. The smell is normal (kind of a horrible body oder sort of smell). The latex is a powerful laxative and can really irritate your intestines. Unless you are very constipated than you want to get rid of it before eating it. I start by washing the aloe after cutting it. Cut off the ends and top of the aloe branch. Let it first sit at a 45 degree angel for 30-45 minutes. Then let it soak it soak in some water for another 20-45 minutes. This will help extract the aloe latex and leave the aloe gel. There are plenty of YouTube videos that show how to filet an aloe branch to get the gel out. But that stinky yellow substance you're smelling is natural (and naturally smells bad), nothing wrong with your aloe at all!

I believe there is a smidgen of truth in the article Dorothy linked, but it is exaggerated. I believe that it is the injection of aloe vera that is illegal because it is not approved for use as a drug in the USA. Otherwise, I agree with PunkinHeadJones that the article is a spoof, a lampoon, etc. Aloe vera is probably like many other gifts from nature that have both a reasonable and proper use and a possible illegal use. Since Aloe Vera plants and products are widely sold, I don't believe they are illegal....as long as you aren't injecting them.

Yep, Dan you are right. I just flipped the light on out on my balcony and sure enough I saw a HUGE mouse or rat run across it. It ran into my storage unit that is connected to my balcony. I'm too freaked out to open that door and see what kind of damage it's done. Yikes! Not sure how to get rid of it/them but hoping maintenance can! Thanks so much as I was on the lookout for those big wood roaches and even put out boric acid. This would explain why I was still seeing the droppings.

Below is a link (hope it works) to my aloe vera - or just a very small section of it in my garden. Countless pups have been removed to give to other people who ask for it. If you decide to take it internally, start off with very small dosages, and gradually work your way up to the recommended dosage. However, see the warning below about internal use. When it says 'powerful laxative and purgative' it REALLY means it! Definitely do NOT administer to children. Medicinal Uses: The sap from inside the leaves can be applied directly to ulcers, burns, sunburn, radiation burns, skin cancers, wounds, poison ivy stings, acne, oily skin and dandruff, and fungal infections. It aids in healing wounds by drawing out infection and by preventing infection from starting. The fresh gel is best to use, rather than Âstabilised gels found in the stores. Internally it is sometimes used as a laxative and a general tonic. It is also to treat amenorrhoea, asthma, inflamed or diseased breasts, bursitis, colds, colic, conjunctivitis, constipation, coughs, dysmenorrhoea, dysentery with bloody stools, ear infections, eye problems, fat and sugar metabolism, fever, gonorrhoea, heart pain, haemorrhoids, hepatitis, herpes, infant pneumonia, insomnia, intestinal worms, jaundice, kidney disorders, enlarged liver, menopause, rheumatism, skin inflammations, skin rashes, sores, sore throat, enlarged spleen, toothache, tuberculosis and other lung diseases, tumors, ulcers, chronic vaginitis, venereal diseases. See Warning. Other Uses: The gel is used as a tree wound dressing. Mix the juice of 1 leaf with about 600ml water for a healthy plant spray. So it's not called the First Aid Plant for nothing! Warning: It is not advised to take Aloe Vera internally, especially if pregnant or breast-feeding, when menstruating, or if suffering from haemorrhoids or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is a powerful laxative and purgative. Here is a link that might be useful: