How to eat a cactus? The healing properties of Opuntia figs and the chemical composition of the plant

The plant is a large cactus, which has wide green stems, similar to a cake. Segments of stems the size of a human palm, they are fleshy, juicy, green in color and oblong. On mature segments, needles form.

The plant bears several names - prickly pear prickly pear, queen of cacti, Indian fig, sabr, prickly pear. Prickly pear prickly pear got its name for its fruits that look like figs. Of these, you can cook different dishes and use in traditional medicine. The properties of this plant will be discussed.

Chemical composition

The composition of prickly pear figs includes:

1. Albumin and various alkaloids.
2. Natural antibiotic that inhibits the growth of pathogens.
3. Hormones, dyes, enzymes, etc.

The presence of fatty acids:

• Omega 6.
• Linoleic polyunsaturated acid.
• Saturated palmitic acid.
• Oleic, which refers to monounsaturated acids.

Also The plant has the following beneficial properties:

1. Reduces platelet activity, thereby beneficially affects the cardiovascular system.
2. Eliminates inflammation.
3. The plant contains 8 essential amino acids. Perhaps this is the only plant that contains so many of these substances at once.
4. Helps fight overweight.
5. It is used as an adjuvant in osteoporosis.
6. If you apply oil from the seeds of a plant, it eliminates age-related changes in the skin, softens it, restores the structure of the dermis.

Extract

In pharmacies you can find fig prickly pear extract. Most often it is used for weight loss. It affects the restriction of the absorption of fats, which are delivered with food. Thus, the calorie content of any food consumed by a person is reduced. In addition, the drug has a positive effect on the skin.

Fruit properties: benefits and harms

The fruits of the plant are very nutritious, they contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, ash and water. There is also the presence of vitamins from group B, A, C and PP and The following trace elements are present:

• Iron.
• Zinc.
• Magnesium.
• Potassium.
• Calcium.
• Sodium.
• Phosphorus.
• Copper and others

Therapeutic effect

The composition of fig prickly pear berries is very rich:

1. Dietary fiber is capable of removing old toxins and toxins from the body.
2. Sugar, replenishes energy costs.
3. Zinc, to restore the body and as an antioxidant.
4. Copper is useful for hypertension, and in combination with iron, it increases the production of hemoglobin, thereby eliminating inflammation.
5. Ascorbic acid, boosts the immune system.
6. Potassium is responsible for human vessels.
7. Phosphorus has a beneficial effect on the skeletal system.

Due to its beneficial properties, the plant is often used in medicine. So, prickly pear prickly pear helps in such cases:

• The juice of the fruit of prickly pears is able to eliminate chronic inflammatory processes.
• Plant juice is useful for urolithiasis, as it has a mild diuretic effect.
• Reduces blood sugar, prickly pear is used for type II diabetes.
• With regular consumption of fig prickly pear fruits, the level of cholesterol in the blood decreases.

Application methods

Before use, prickly pears should be carefully and carefully cleaned:

1. It is necessary to put on tight gloves, and only then begin to clean the fetus. First you need to rinse it in cold water. The tops are cut off, the peel is cut and separated from the pulp. Everything is done with a knife, while the fruit is supported with a fork.
2. In juicy pulp there are a lot of medium-sized but dense grains. Someone eats them, someone spits out. Many advise them to eat, since in each such bone there are vitamins and antioxidants. An exception are people with diverticulitis.
3. Marmalades, jams, liquors and ice cream are prepared from the fruits of the plant.
4. The fleshy leaves of the cactus are also edible. They are used as vegetables. They are pickled, salted or eaten fresh.

Opuntia figs are added to various cosmetics - in creams for face skin care, shampoos, massage mixtures, aromatic products. As a result, the effectiveness of all these drugs increases several times. This is especially noticeable when caring for facial skin.

Possible complications

Mexicans eat the fruits of prickly pears from ancient times and already know how to use them correctly. The rest is recommended not to risk it, but first to find out how to use the plant. It is worth remembering that on the stems and fruits of the prickly pear there are rare spines covered with down.

If a person swallows such a fluff, then it will be possible to remove it from the esophagus only by operation. Otherwise, adhering to the mucous membrane of the stomach or digestive tract, such a fluff causes an inflammatory process, which ultimately leads to erosion.

The fruits themselves are sweet and tasty, but do not get involved in them, as this is fraught with consequences. Constipation can occur, which is very difficult to get rid of. It threatens bowel stenosis.

Important! The plant is contraindicated in pregnant women and young children.

Before eating the fruit of the plant, it should be thoroughly washed so that not a single spine remains on the surface. To do this, you can use a metal brush and a strong stream of water. They put on thick rubber gloves. Otherwise, you can pierce the skin. After clearing the fetus from thorns, it can be eaten with or without peel.

Conclusion

Both the plant itself and the products, which include fig prickly pear, are not cheap. This is primarily due to the difficulties of its cultivation in unacceptable climatic conditions. But at the same time, this plant is very useful.

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