Prickly Pear Cactus
Botanical Description & Habitat
Opuntia spp
Family
Cactaceae
Habitat
Mexico
Medicinal Parts
Dried flowers
Historical Properties & Uses
In traditional herbal medicine of the United States and Great Britain, Prickly pear cactus is used as an astringent and anti-hemorrhagic, in all of the typical ways: diarrhea, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, colitis, any kind of internal or external bleeding.
People traveling or hiking through the desert habitat of this cactus often drink its juice to quench thirst.
In Mexico, Prickly pear cactus is used for all of the above purposes, plus it is a common treatment of diabetes.
Method of Action
Prickly Pear Cactus Contains Yellow Flavonoid Glycosides
Prickly pear cactus has been shown to have definite hypoglycemic action in rabbits, dogs and rats. According to the scientists involved in this research, their results validate the use of Prickly pear cactus in traditional Mexican medicine in the treatment of diabetes mellitus symptoms.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes Prickly pear cactus as astringent and anti-hemorrhagic, for use in the treatment of colitis, diarrhea and prostatic hypertrophy.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
The topical application of this astringent herb in conjunction with the acne product tretinoin (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid) may adversely affect the skin.
The tannin in prickly pear may potentiate the antibiotic activity of echinacea. The tannin in a tea made from this herb may be inactivated by the addition of milk or cream.
Comments
Antidiabetic ability of prickly pear may be decreased by concomitant use of acetazolamide, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, dextrothyroxine, epinephrine, ethanol, glucagon, guanethideine, and marijuana.
The antidiabetic effects of prickly pear may be decreased when used in conjunction with phenothiazines, rifampin, thiazide diuretics, and thyroid hormones.
The antidiabetic action of this herb may be enhanced when it is used with allopurinol, anabolic steroids, chloramphenicol, clofibrate, fenfluramine, guanethidine, MAOI, phenylbutazone, probenecid and phenyramidol.
The antidiabetic action of prickly pear may be enhanced when used in conjunction with salicylates, sulfinpyrazone, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines.
The ability of prickly pear to increase insulin production and secretion may be antagonized by heparin.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Prickly pear cactus is not toxic in therapeutic doses.
Preparation & Administration
Use three times daily
Infusion
Use 0.3-1g of dried flowers
Liquid Extract
Use 0.3-1ml of 1:1 in 25% alcohol
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Shanmugasundrm, K.R., C. Panneerselvam., et.al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 7(2), 205-234.
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