Nopal or prickly pear as it is more commonly called is a member of the cactus family. It is native to the entire western hemisphere as well as Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean. It is a large cactus that can range in height from less than a foot to over 7 feet tall. The pads of the prickly pear are actually the stems of the plant and are where the moisture is stored. Its flowers are range from yellow, to red, to purple and bloom from July to August. Once the flowers are pollinated they produce small oblong fruit about 2 ½ inches long. The use of cactus as a food source dates back to from between 5,000 to 7,000B.C. It was an important staple especially in arid regions. Archeologists believe that the cultivation of the prickly pear cactus allowed for the settlement of the arid lands of Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Active ingredients:

Prickly pear cactus is high in:

• Both soluble and insoluble fiber
• Mucopolysacchrides
• Glycosides
• Saponins
• B-1, B-6, Niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid

Traditional uses:

Prickly pear or nopal has been used in Mexican traditional medicine long before Europeans knew that the Western Hemisphere existed. The indigenous native people used nopal for:

• Minor skin irritations and sun and wind burns
• Alleviating the symptoms of hangovers, especially dry mouth and nausea
• Digestive complaints
• Controlling blood sugar levels
• Lowering the blood lipid levels

Clinical uses:

Nopal effectiveness in controlling blood sugar levels has been documented . This is from it high mucilage content that slow the absorption of sugurs from the small intestines. This same mucilage allows it to bind bile and fats and oils giving it the ability to lower blood lipid levels.

Recommended Dosage:

100 to 300grms a day can be taken. Dried nopal should always be followed by ar lest 8 oz of water to prevent intestinal blockage. Fresh nopal can be eaten as a vegetable and its fruit makes a delicious addition as well.

Contra-indications:

There have been cases of allergic reaction the nopal, although they are rare. They include skin rash, hives, chest pain, breathing problems and digestive complaints such as diarrhea or constipation. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take nopal supplements. As no studies have been done on the safety of these supplements in children and those with liver or kidney disease, a health care practitioner should be consulted before use.

Drug interactions:

People who are on medication for the control of diabetes should consult their health care practitioner before starting taking a nopal supplement or adding it as a vegetable to their diet.

Web References:

1. Opuntia

Printed Reference Material:

1. Chen, Y. D., C. Y. Jeng, C. B. Hollenbeck, M. S. Wu, and G. M. Reaven. "Relationship between plasma glucose and insulin concentration, glucose production, and glucose disposal in normal subjects and patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes." Journal of Clinical Investigation. (1988): 21–25.
2. Frati-Munari, A. C., B. E. Gordillo, P. Altamirano, and C. R. Ariza. "Hypoglycemic effects of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire in NIDDM." Diabetes Care. (1988): 63–66.
3. Frati-Munari, A. C., J. L. Q. Lazaro, P. Altamirano Bustamante, M. Banales Ham, S. Islas-Andrade, and C. R. Ariza-Andraca. "The effect of different doses of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire) on the glucose tolerance test in healthy individuals." Archives of Investigative Medicine. (1988): 143–148.
4. Frati-Munari, A. C., B. E. Gordillo, P. Altamirano, C. R. Ariza, R. Cortes-Franco, A. Chavez-Negrete, and S. Islas-Andrade. "Influence of nopal intake upon fasting glycemia in type 2 diabetics and healthy subjects." Archives of Investigative Medicine. (1991): 51–56.
5. Frati-Munari, A. C., N. X. Diaz, P. Altamirano, C.R. Ariza, and R. Lopez-Ledesma. "The effect of two sequential doses of Opuntia streptacantha upon glycemia." Archives of Investigative Medicine (1991): 431–436.
6. Gannon, M. C., F. Q. Nuttall, S. A. Neil, and E. R. Seaquest. "Effects of dose ingested glucose on serum metabolite and hormone responses in type 2 diabetic subjects." Diabetes Care (1989): 544–552.
7. Park, E. H., J. H. Kahng, E. A. Paek. "Studies on the pharmacological action of cactus: identification of its anti-inflammatory effect." Archives of Pharmaceutical Research. (1998): 30–34.
8. Rayburn, K., R. Martinez, M. Escobedo, F. Wright, and M. Farias. "Glycemic effects of various species of nopal (Opuntia sp.) in type 2 diabetes mellitus." Texas Journal of Rural Health. (1998): 68–74.
9. Shapiro, K., and W. C. Gong. "Natural products used for diabetes." Journal of American Pharmacists Association. (2002): 217–226.
10. Nyerges, "C. Prickly pear cactus." Wilderness Way [cited June 14, 2004].
11. "Prickly pear." Wholehealthmd.com [cited June 14, 2004].
12. "Prickly pear and barbary fig." The Worldwide Gourmet [cited June 14, 2004].
13. "Prickly pear cactus crop with multiple uses." The Hindu [cited June 14, 2004].
14. Rodriguez-Felix, A., and M. A. Villegas-Ochoa. "Postharvest handling of cactus leaves (nopalitos)." Paper presented at the International Symposium of Cactus Pear and Nopalitos Processing and Uses. Santiago, Chile (September 24-26, 1998).
15. Savio, Yvonne. Prickly pear cactus. Brochure. Small Farm Center, University of California. July 1989 [cited June 14, 2004].