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Prickly pear cactus, also known as dragon tongue tree, has a large body and the fruit that grows on the cactus body is purple-pink. Currently, this species of cactus is becoming more popular in the meals of not only Westerners but also Asians thanks to the effects of cactus spines on health.
1. Is prickly pear cactus edible?
Plant parts including stems, leaves and flowers can be processed into food such as boiled or baked fruit, taken from the stem to juice or processed into jam. In addition to food use, prickly pear cactus is also made into medicine to treat a number of diseases.
2. How is prickly pear cactus good for health?
For health, cactus has the following benefits:
Treatment of type 2 diabetes: Active pectin and fiber in cactus helps reduce the absorption of sugar in the intestines and stomach, thereby helping to Lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Treatment of high blood cholesterol, obesity: The fiber of prickly pear cactus can help lower blood cholesterol levels and treat obesity. . Relieves Hangovers: The anti-inflammatory extract of prickly pear cactus can help relieve hangovers. Anti-inflammatory, antiviral: Prickly pear cactus is known to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties due to its high fiber content, antioxidants and carotenoids.
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3. How to use prickly pear cactus
To process prickly pear cactus into food, you can use the stems and leaves that have been washed and the tiny spines removed (note, wear gloves when washing and cleaning the spines of the cactus) . To reduce the amount of sap, you should choose the leaves of the cactus that are still green, firm, and taste good when eating cactus spines.
Cactus leaves can be cooked like boiled or grilled. Should be boiled several times to reduce the amount of resin in the tree and drain off the water, rinse with cold water before eating. As for grilled dishes, to make the dish more delicious, you can add spices when baking.
With the fruit, can be processed into jam. But before processing, it is necessary to wash thoroughly to remove the hair, then use a knife to remove the hard shell at both ends and the outside of the fruit.
With boiled, grilled or juiced processing methods, prickly pear cactus can be used to treat diseases as follows:
Back pain: Boil the leaves to eat. Reduce fever: Mix honey with juice from cactus fruit to drink. Toothache relief: Bake the leaves, then smash, pound, remove the fiber, mix with a little salt. Apply this cactus to the painful tooth, close your mouth for 3-4 minutes, then release. Treatment of boils: Heat the leaves of the cactus and put it on the acne-affected area to detoxify. Or apply a mixture of cactus leaves that have been washed, crushed and mixed with perilla leaves, chili leaves on acne-prone skin. Reduce blood sugar: Cook cactus leaves to get drinking water.
4. Things to keep in mind when using cactus spikes
Although prickly pear cactus has many health benefits, it is also important to be careful with the side effects that they cause such as headache, nausea, diarrhea (mild), more bowel movements.
In addition, the following groups of people should consult a doctor before use, including: pregnant or nursing women, taking medication, allergic to prickly pear cactus or ingredients other, food allergies, health problems, ...
Especially, for people with diabetes, it is necessary to pay attention to regularly monitor blood sugar to avoid excessive hypoglycemia. If you are going to have surgery, you should stop using prickly pear cactus 2 weeks before to avoid disrupting blood sugar control during and after surgery.
Prickly pear cactus has many health benefits such as controlling blood sugar, cholesterol, treating obesity, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. However, to ensure no side effects, it is necessary to use prickly pear cactus in moderate amounts and consult your doctor before use.
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Reference source: mayoclinic.org
