Guest guest Posted August 7, 2004 Report Share Posted August 7, 2004 GREETINGS -- Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp. or nopal or nopalitos) is reputed to reduce blood glucose according n Mexican folklore. The pads of this cactus are the part most commonly eaten, although they have forbidding spines that have to be removed first. Available bagged and cleaned in Mexican markets and bottled in many supermarkets, particularly in the Southwest, prickly pear cactus is often eaten in salads, as a vegetable, or with eggs. It contains pectin and other fiber components that may have hypoglycemic activity. A few studies reported in peer-reviewed journals have shown this cactus to reduce blood sugar. However, most have been small, uncontrolled trials published only in Spanish or dealing only with animals. Whether or not prickly pear cactus will make your blood sugar go down in the long term, it is clear that it won't make it go up after a meal. It has been tested for its glycemic index, which is very low. wambo1941 > Does anyone know anything about this?? > > Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia sp. > > 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: > Research > > 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. From Juli Kight,Your Guide to Healthy Herbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2004 Report Share Posted August 8, 2004 >>>>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. Maybe this will help my cut. Thanks Faith > Does anyone know anything about this?? > > Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia sp. > > 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: > Research > > 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. From Juli Kight,Your Guide to Healthy Herbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 There is a text file on Prickly Pear in the Files/Medical Reference section, for future reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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