The find of traditional medicine: all about prickly pear extract

What it is? Prickly pear extract is an extract from a Mexican cactus that has scallop-shaped stems arranged in segments one on top of the other. The appearance of this plant is quite funny, and its image is often used in comedy tapes as decoration.

However, knowing about the beneficial properties of prickly pear and how many diseases and disorders in the body can be treated with the help of its extract, one cannot help but admire this gift of nature. In pharmacological, chemical and cosmetic products, prickly pear is fully processed. And even the thorns go into business: from them Mexican shamans make charms against evil spirits for their superstitious and mystically minded fellow citizens.

This plant tastes like strawberries or pears, and it is very juicy.

Therapeutic and beneficial properties

Prickly pear has a wide range of effects. The main properties of the plant:

1. hemostatic;
2. diuretics;
3. astringents;
4. sugar lowering;
5. regenerative;
6. fat burning;
7. vasodilator.

In its composition:

• oligosaccharides;
• pectin polysaccharide;
• plant proteins;
• flavonoids;
• beta carotene;
• anthocyanins;
• B vitamins;
• fructose;
• xylose;
• D-galacturonic acid (oxidation product of galactose);
• macro- and microelements;
• vitamin C;
• niacin.

Read more about the healing properties of prickly pears and the use of cactus here.

Indications for use

1. An extract from prickly pears helps to reduce weight, as it is able to break down, bind and remove fat from the body. And if you use it together with its fibers, it will perfectly clean the digestive tract and relieve hunger for a long time.
2. Opuntia drugs help relieve diarrhea and relieve stomach pain.
3. With gastritis and a stomach ulcer, the juice of this plant will also bring benefits and relief to the patient, as it restores the mucous membrane.
4. Prickly pear is the best friend of diabetics, it contributes to the production of insulin in the body and facilitates the course of the disease, although it does not replace the injection of a medicine.
5. The extract is also useful for those suffering from liver dysfunctions - it will carefully remove small bile stones from the ducts and thereby reduce the burden on this important organ, and accordingly, the quality of the blood will improve.
6. Prickly pear is able to lower pressure, therefore, as a dietary supplement, it is recommended for hypertensive patients and weather-dependent people.
7. Prickly pear helps to remove excess fluid from the body and is recommended for edema of various origins.
8. Prickly pears can also be useful to men for the conservative treatment of prostate adenoma as a support agent.
9. Athletes can use prickly pear as a safe preparation to restore strength during the competition. The same is recommended for people whose activities are associated with great physical exertion.
10. In the confectionery industry, the flesh of this cactus serves as the basis for the production of pastille. And winemakers have learned how to make fine wine from prickly pears.
11. In the cosmetic industry, prickly pear extract is used as a remedy for:
    • skin whitening;
    • decrease age-related pigmentation;
    • decrease in hyperkeratosis;
    • moisturizing and softening the skin, including after tanning;
    • getting rid of brittle hair and dandruff;
    • elimination of purulent processes and their consequences (acne and post-acne).
12. Opuntia oil protects against free radicals and skin aging.

How to cook?

For treatment, cactus specimens older than 3-4 years are better suited., but not completely, but only their lower segments, washed in running water and peeled of thorns, as well as the fruits and flowers of this plant.

1. Most recipes use gruel from chopped prickly pear, so parts of the plant are passed through a meat grinder.
2. Then the crushed mass is poured with cold water and kept in a water bath for 20-30 minutes. You can brew the crushed mass with boiling water and insist in a thermos, you can insist it on oil. Also, prickly pear can be used fresh. For compresses, the use of prickly pear stems is also allowed if cut along them.
3. Opuntia extract to enhance the therapeutic effect can be mixed with honey, olive oil, milk, cahors and other components.

For skin care, you can use fresh prickly pear juice, in pure form or by adding it to masks and creams, both purchased and homemade.

How to apply?

The list of application of prickly pear extract for various diseases is very wide.

1. With a cold: chopped prickly pear prickly poured with water 1:10, kept in a water bath for half an hour, filtered and taken 1/3 cup three times a day.
2. For diseases of the upper respiratory tract: similarly prepared mixture, where instead of water - milk. You can keep it in a thermos to take warm or hot. Drink a glass a day for three meals.
3. For stomach problems: 3-4 tablespoons of chopped prickly pear fruit pour 2 cups of hot water and insist in a thermos overnight. This portion should be enough for three meals a day, you need to take it in half a glass half an hour before meals.
4. For the treatment of purulent wounds: a tablespoon of chopped cactus pulp is mixed with a teaspoon of horseradish and, through triple gauze, is applied to the wound. Wash off with cold water after a few minutes.
5. With diseases of the urinary system: grind the right amount of prickly pear, squeeze the juice, dilute the cake a little with water and squeeze again. Add honey to taste, mix. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a glass of water and drink a few sips a day.
6. For the treatment of diarrhea: squeeze a tablespoon of juice and drink on an empty stomach. Do not take food and water an hour after this. Repeat until symptom ceases.
7. In case of alcohol poisoning: prepare prickly pear juice (it is possible before the feast begins, in the morning this may not be enough strength) and dissolve a tablespoon of it in a glass of water. Drink in one gulp. The hangover will recede.
8. To whiten and moisturize the skin: gruel from prickly pear is applied to the face, gently massaging the skin, wash off after 10-15 minutes. You can add plant juice to the cream. You can also cook prickly pear oil by mixing fresh gruel with olive oil. The mixture is infused for a week and filtered. Oil can also be used orally and as a treatment for split ends, dull and falling hair.
9. With rheumatism segments of prickly pear cut along are applied to sore spots and fixed at night.

Side effects and contraindications

Prickly pear is a surprisingly useful plant, but still not a panacea. There are circumstances when its use, even in moderate doses, can harm a person.

• You can not use prickly pear preparations in the presence of chronic cystitis and hemorrhoids.
• Opuntia is also prohibited in case of individual intolerance and allergy.
• Do not risk women waiting for the baby.

According to popular beliefs, you can not keep this plant in the bedroom - this leads to loneliness.

Prickly pear extract has a lot of useful properties, heals many health disorders, but it must be used correctly so as not to harm yourself. It is important to know that traditional medicine is slow. And in order to grow prickly pear prickly pear at home, you do not need to go to Mexico to get it - just go to a large flower shop.

Watch the video: Herbal MedicinePrickly Pear (May 2024).