Prickly Pear Cactus

A Brief History of Prickly Pear Cactus 

Traditionally, the Prickly Pear cactus is a symbol of identity for the Southwestern Americans and Mexicans. It’s also called Opuntia, cactus pear, or nopal cactus. Early archaeological data and historical observations show that American natives used Prickly Pear for food and medicine. They also crafted needles from the plant’s sharp spines, made containers, and obtained water from its succulent stems.

The name Prickly Pears comes from its sharp spines and fruits. Prickly because of its long, sharp spines, and pears from its fruits known, pears or tunas. Note that the evergreen segments are its stems, while the spines are its leaves, all purposed to adapt in harsh conditions.

According to FAO, the plant was also a handy source of beverages, dye, and used for religious practices. Later on, the US and Mexican governments adopted plantation planting after realizing the numerous plant’s medical benefits.

What Are the Uses of Prickly Pear Cactus? 

Supplement

Research by NCBI shows that Prickly Pear Cactus lowers blood sugar levels in the body. For that reason, medical scientists have taken this advantage to create supplements for different diseases like type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the plant lowers cholesterol levels to keep the body safe from heart attacks and strokes. These supplements can either be in the form of pills or powder form.

Making Juice and Pulp

The pears (fruits) contain some fluid and seeds. A combination of the two extracts can be used to make juice or pulp using the liquid only. However, the juice alone is usually very pastry. To improve its zing, most people prefer adding margaritas or lemonade. Also, you can prepare jellies to minimize its tartness and still enjoy its xerophytic nature.

Medicine

Prickly Pear Cactus extracts are used as ingredients of many drugs. Some of the diseases treated using these drugs include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Viral infections
• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
• Alcohol hangover
• Colitis
• High cholesterol

Liver Benefits of Prickly Pear Cactus Extracts

Blood sugar level regulation

Every diabetic person always struggles to keep their blood sugar levels within limits. High blood sugar (glucose) levels increase the risk of liver inflammation, also known as liver scarring (cirrhosis). Research also associates the condition with liver cancer, kidney diseases, and heart complications.

Fortunately, taking supplements or drugs with Prickly Pear Cactus Extracts can help contain the blood sugar levels.  PubMed Central’s study of 2012 recommends that diabetic people should be using medications with nopal cactus extracts to help manage their blood sugar levels.

Reducing cholesterol levels

Note: Cholesterol has its benefits when kept within healthy levels. For instance, it helps in building cell membrane structures and hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

However, too high levels are equally (or more) detrimental to some organs like the liver and the heart. In the liver, too much cholesterol results in a condition known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) common among obese and overweight people. NAFLD also raises the chances of diabetes and stroke.

This PubMed Central research shows that Prickly Pear (nopal) Cactus Extracts helps to lower cholesterol levels. In fact, LDL (bad) cholesterol reduces significantly.

Eliminates toxicity in the liver

The liver is prone to infections such as collateral damage and systemic viral infections. Examples of such include hepatotropic viruses, which comprise the different types of hepatitis infections. That is hepatitis A, B, C, and E.

Now, these conditions are quite deadly, so the best thing is to control them proactively. Research has it that Prickly Pear Cactus is very useful in antiviral treatment. Examples of such viral infections include Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

It is an antioxidant

The liver is the main oxidation organ in the body. It oxidizes alcohol to acetaldehyde, a toxic metabolite that may impair some critical proteins such as DNA and enzymes. So that’s why you need the antioxidants to restore the balance between the oxidants and antioxidants levels, called oxidative stress.

Luckily, Prickly Pear Cactus has pigments that help in maintaining oxidative stress. They include;

• Phenolics
• Ascorbic acid
• Yellow-orange betaxanthin
• Purple-red betacyanin

Protection of the liver nervous system

Note that the liver does not have nerves. Instead, it uses the afferent and efferent neurons for sensation. However, these cells are prone to damage by toxic substances such as ingesting contaminated food or water.

Studies show that Prickly Pear Cactus has neuroprotective properties to improve the defense mechanisms of the liver. Therefore, drugs and supplements rich in these extracts help protect your cells against damage.

Benefits of Prickly Pear Cactus on Hangovers

Binge drinking is always fun, especially when doing it with friends, until you have to wake up for work in the morning. Hangovers make you feel heavy loaded, feeble, and not ready for your daily tasks.

Fortunately, there is some good news for you. In 2004, scientists from Tulane Health Sciences Center realized that Prickly Pear Cactus has some extracts that act against hangovers. The scientists administered some Prickly Pear Cactus extracts to a group of 64 individuals before taking alcohol.

Several hours later, they realized that there was a 50% reduction in hangover symptoms. That is, they never experienced hangover dry mouth, nausea, and inflammation, but hangover shakes and headaches remained. Although it did not eliminate all the effects, at least there was a change that scientists can use to build upon.

When should you take Prickly Pear Cactus extracts for hangovers?

As of 2020, the only research that holds about the question is the one we have just discussed. So, it seems logical to conclude that taking it before may be more effective than during or after. By morning, the extracts have already dealt with some of the hangovers, and you are ready for work!

Are Prickly Pear Cactus Extracts ingredients safe?

This is a YES and NO question.

Scientifically, it is not yet established whether the ingredients cause any side effects, when used for medicine or as supplements.

However, when taken as food, prickly pear cactus fruits are seen to cause a couple of side effects. That includes headaches, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach complications.

Note:

If you have diabetes, do not go for any drug or supplement unless your professional physician says so. Also, after undergoing surgery, you may need to avoid these extracts.

Also, there is no research to ascertain Prickly Pear Cactus extracts’ effects on pregnant and lactating mothers or children.

Therefore, everything centers around what your doctor recommends.

Don’t forget to check out the other ingredients in Fewer Regrets.