Nopal

							                Learn About Nopal Prickly Pear Health Benefits

        Nopal is also referred to as the prickly pear cactus. The broad, thick, succulent leaves of
the cactus are used for medicinal purposes. The nopal prickly pear herb is the most commonly
found in the southwestern United States.

        The nopal prickly pear is a vegetable that is made from the young cladophyll, pad-like,
segments of the prickly pear plant. These are carefully peeled to remove the spines. The nopal
prickly pear is extremely common in its native Mexico. Although the pads of almost all Opuntia
species are edible, farmed nopales are most often of the species Opuntia ficus-indica. Generally,
a nopal is sold fresh, bottled, or canned. Less often, it is sold dried. It is used to prepare
nopalitos. The nopal has a light, slightly tart flavor, and a crisp, mucilaginous texture. This herb
is commonly used in Mexican cuisine dishes include huevos con nopales, which is eggs with
nopal; carne con nopals, also known as meat with nopal; or tacos de nopales. Nopales are also an
important ingredient in New Mexican cuisine. Currently, the nopal is gaining popularity
elsewhere in the United States.

         De-thorned nopal stems are used as food in Mexico and among Native Americans. Early
settlers used the stems in wound dressing after they had been peeled. The gel that comes from the
cactus pads was used to soften the skin. This lessened tension against the wound and alleviated
pain. Nopal juice is valued as an anti-inflammatory diuretic. Practitioners of folk medicine
recommend this herb fore use against painful urination. The mashed pulp of the cactus was
traditionally eaten by the West Coast Indians in order to ease childbirth. Additionally, the pulp
was used as a lung remedy and as a cardiac aid.

        The nopal prickly pear herb contains a variety of phytochemicals. Among these
components are pectin, mucilage, and gums that assist the digestive system. This herb also
contains nutrients which inhibit bowel absorption of dietary fat and excess sugars. Nopal is
responsible for fortifying the liver and pancreas. This enhances insulin’s ability to move glucose
from the blood into the cells, where it is able to produce energy. Research has determined that
nopal prickly pear has hypoglycemic benefits as well. This could be extremely helpful for those
people suffering from diabetes. Other studies have determined that nopal lowers serum levels of
LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Additionally, it may inhibit cancer growth and prevent cancer
development. Laboratory animals that were treated with cactus juice showed an increase immune
response regarding tumor growth, Epstein-Barr virus, and suppressed immune function.

        The leaves of the nopal plant are used to provide antiasthmatic, astringent, laxative,
pectoral, and vemrifuge properties. The primary nutrients found in this herb are mucilage, pectin,
and phytochemicals. Primarily, nopal is extremely beneficial in dealing with cancer, diabetes,
high cholesterol, and immune function. This herb also acts as a great digestive aid.
 In order to obtain the best results when supplementing with this, or any herb, it is important to
consult your health care provider before beginning any regimen while on medications. For more
information on the many beneficial effects provided by nopal prickly pear, please feel free to
consult a representative from your local health food store with questions.