Prickly Pear Cactus

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Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia sp.

Herb - Cactus

From Juli Kight,

Your Guide to Healthy Herbs.

 

 

Overview: An American native plant to the desert plains, canyons and hills,

Prickly pear cactus (larger image) has been used as a back up forage food and

for it's healing properties. It is cultivated in Europe and largely used by the

Spaniards.

 

 

Actions And Properties:

Diuretic

Astringent

Anti-diabetic

Alkaloids

 

 

 

Constituents:

Water 80 - 95%

Pectin

Cellulose

Flavonoids

Terenpoids

 

 

Uses:

Diabetes - The fruit and stems are used as a primary anti-diabetic herb by

managing blood sugar levels for adult-set type 2 diabetes.

Poulice and ointment - Skin sores, burns, rashes, insect bites, muscle and

arthritis pain. Can be used like aloe by slicing open the pad, heating and

applying to the area needing attention.

Homoepathy - Spleen and diarrhea.

 

Check out the research links below for current developments.

 

More Uses:

Daily use improves platelet functions (see research below).

Culinary - Used in Mexico to make jellies, juices, pickles and syrups.

Africa - Sap from the pads were used to repel mosquitoes.

Provides emergency moisture and nourishment during times of drought for humans

and forage animals.

 

 

Warnings:

Use gloves when harvesting. The plant contains hard to see spines which get

lodged in the skin and are hard to remove. The spines can be knocked off, burned

or soaked off.

There have been some reports of allergic reaction.

Extract may be less effective when taken with high fiber foods.

 

 

Research And Resources:

 

Further Links To:

 

Alkaloid - New alkaoid discovered in Opuntia vulgaris.

Constituents - Of the stems and fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten.

Hypoglycemic Activity - Of two polysaccharides isolated from Opuntia

ficus-indica and O. streptacantha.

Cytotoxic Constituents - Of Aspergillus terreus from the rhizosphere of Opuntia

versicolor of the Sonoran Desert.

Antioxidant and Antiulcerogenic Activity - Chemical characterization and

biological effects of Sicilian Opuntia ficus indica (L.) mill. Fruit juice.

Platelet Function - Daily prickly pear consumption improves platelet function.

Glucose- and Lipid-metabolism - Effect of prickly pear (Opuntia robusta) on

glucose- and lipid-metabolism in non-diabetics with hyperlipidemia--a pilot

study.

Antioxidant Activities - Of sicilian prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) fruit

extracts and reducing properties of its betalains: betanin and indicaxanthin.

 

Resources

Prickly Pear - Botanical.com.

Integrative Medical Arts Group, Inc.;Hyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Herbs;

1998-2000.

Whole Health MD;Prickly Pear; 1998-2004 - Includes some dosage recommendations.