Nopal

(Prickly Pear Cactus / Opuntia cacti)

Nopal is a resilient cactus that can tolerate a range of different climates. It thrives best in zones where the weather is hot and dry. This tough cactus is found in southern parts of the US, Latin America, South Africa, and the Mediterranean. It is widely consumed in Mexíco, which happens to have the highest diversity of Nopal species. Nopal has a history of being consumed for millions of years! Due to its long lifespan(living for over 20 years) and resiliency, it remains a sustainable food source and medicine.

Growing up, I was used to seeing nopal pads and fruits in dishes. However, I never really used this cactus medicinally until my digestive system became imbalanced. It helped restore my gut integrity, which is what inspired me to create this post.

Below, I will break down each action associated with Nopal.

Parts used:

Cladodes(pads), fruit, and flower petals.

Energetics:

Cooling and moistening

Actions:

Anticholesteremic, Anti-diarrheal, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent, Emollient, Hypoglycemic, Metabolic, and Nutritive.

Anticholesteremic:

Plants that lower cholesterol levels.

Due to their high percentage of pectin, nopal pads were found to lower LDL cholesterol! Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory:

Nopal pads and fruit are rich in phenols, flavonoids, betaxanthin, and betacyanin! All of these constituents will help protect our system from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to cell damage that can show up as chronic inflammation, neurodegenerative conditions, cardiovascular issues, and cancer. One double-blind study showed the anti-inflammatory action of the fruit extract helped reduce hangover symptoms when taken 5 hours before consuming alcohol.

Demulcent:

Cactus pads and flowers are mucilaginous, similar to aloe vera, marshmallow root, and slippery elm. This quality is what makes them demulcent. They work on all mucosa areas of our body, soothing inflamed and irritated tissues and membranes (specifically our GI tract). Consumption of pads reduced intestinal inflammation, modified gut microbiota, and increased microbial diversity. This helps ease diarrhea, soothe stomach spasms/cramps, helps fight intestinal bacteria infections, and maintains your gut’s integrity.

The flowers can be used fresh or dried for respiratory conditions, such as coughs, asthma, and sinuses. As well as, GERD, UTIs, and urethral irritation.

Emollient: Plants that are mucilaginous and typically applied to the skin to soften and soothe.

The gel inside the nopal pads is very similar to Aloe Vera. It can be used topically for burns and minor abrasions, or as a drawing agent for infections, pus, and splinters.

Hypoglycemic Actions:

Plants that lower blood sugar/glucose.

Nopal is rich in inulin fiber, which helps regulate blood glucose levels. Traditionally nopal has been used as treatment for type-2 diabetes. Studies have shown consuming both pads and fruit can lower blood glucose levels and increase insulin.

Nutritive:

Nopal is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and soluble fiber! Specifically amino acids, vitamins C and B, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron.

Survival: The gel from pads has also been used to purify water!

This cactus is highly versatile and can be used for diarrhea caused by bacterial infections or pathogens, to boost immunity due to its high vitamin C and antioxidant content, heal our gut microbiome, constipation, coughs, sore throats, regulating cholesterol and blood sugar(diabetes), topically for skin conditions, and as FOOD!

How can you incorporate Nopal into your life?

1. Juices and Smoothies: Add fresh pads and fruit.

2. Meals: Cook the nopal pads and add them to your breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

3. Tea: Flowers can be used in an infusion.

4. Jams: Preserve the fruit!

There are plenty of recipes online, I encourage you to get creative!

Recommended Dosing:

Fresh Juice:

Fruit: 2-4 fl oz, 2x/day (Moore, 1995). 

Cooked or Inner Gel:

Pad: 1-2 oz daily (de la Forȇt & Han, 2020).

Infusion (Flower):

4-8 fl oz, 2-3x/day (de la Forȇt & Han, 2020). Contraindications: Consult with your medical practitioner if you are taking medication to lower blood sugar. Large amounts of fresh pads, fruits, and seeds have caused fever and chills, use in small quantities to gauge tolerance.

Resources: Moore, M. (1995). Herbal materia medica 5.0. de Wit, M., & Fouché, H. (2021). South African perspective on Opuntia spp.: Cultivation, human and livestock food and industrial applications. In Ramadan, M.F., Ayoub, T.E.M., & Rohn, S. (Eds.), Opuntia spp..: Chemistry, bioactivity and industrial applications (13-48). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. Nopal Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds for Nutrition, Health and Disease

Physical and Dietary Intervention with Opuntia ficus-indica (Nopal) in Women with Obesity Improves Health Condition through Gut Microbiota Adjustment

Antioxidant and Anticlastogenic Capacity of Prickly Pear Juice Nopal cladodes (Opuntia Ficus Indica): Nutritional properties and functional potential Antioxidants into Nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica), Important Inhibitors of Free Radicals’ Formation Assessment of Prickly Pear Fruit Peel Mucilage in Form of Gel as a Green Coagulant for the Tertiary Treatment of Domestic Wastewater Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on symptoms of the alcohol hangover