Prickly pear cactus
Scientific names: Opuntia ficus-indica, Cactus decumanus, Cactus ficus-indica, Opuntia albicarpa, Opuntia amyclaea, Opuntia cordobensis, Opuntia decumana, Opuntia ficus-barbarica, Opuntia gymnocarpa, Opuntia hispanica, Opuntia joconostle, Opuntia maxima, Opuntia megacantha, Opuntia paraguayensis.
Family: Cactaceae
Alternate names: Barbary Fig, Cactus Flowers, Cactus Fruit, Cactus Pear Fruit, Figue d'Inde, Figuier de Barbarie, Fruit du Cactus, Fruit de l'Oponce, Indian Fig, Indian Fig Prickly Pear Cactus, Indien-Figue, Nopal, Nopal Cactus, Nopales, Nopol, OPI, Oponce, Opuntia, Opuntia ficus, Prickly Pear, Spineless Cactus, Tuna Cactus
Actions: Anti-allergy, Antibacterial, Antidiabetes, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Cholesterol-lowering, Hepatoprotective
Background
Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a plant native to Mexico. Its fruit and stems are commonly eaten and used as medicine in Mexican cultures.
Prickly pear cactus might lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels by reducing how much the stomach absorbs.
People most commonly use prickly pear cactus for diabetes. It is also used for enlarged prostate, hangover, high cholesterol, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Prickly pear cactus might lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels by reducing how much the stomach absorbs.
People most commonly use prickly pear cactus for diabetes. It is also used for enlarged prostate, hangover, high cholesterol, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Prickly pear cactus is likely safe when the fruit and cactus pads are eaten as food. The pads and fruit are possibly safe when taken as medicine for a short period of time. Prickly pear cactus can cause minor side effects in some people, including diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and heartburn.
Surgery: Prickly pear cactus might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery. Stop using prickly pear cactus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if prickly pear cactus is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Surgery: Prickly pear cactus might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery. Stop using prickly pear cactus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Diabetes. Taking prickly pear cactus by mouth can help to lower blood sugar levels after eating in people with diabetes. It's unclear if long-term use can consistently lower blood sugar levels.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of prickly pear cactus might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Prickly pear cactus might lower blood sugar levels. Taking prickly pear cactus along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Prickly pear cactus might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, and chromium.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Practitioner product
Per 5 g:
- Opuntia ficus indica (cladode) (Prickly pear)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Wheatgrass powder
- Hordeum vulgare (leaf) powder
- Urtica dioica (leaf) powder
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Artichoke inulin
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Malus (Apple)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Amaranth powder
- Quinoa (sprout) powder
- Sea mineral complex
- Taraxacum officinale ext.
- Silybum marianum ext.
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext.
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Stevia rebaubiana (leaf) ext.
- Mint flavour
- Medicago sativa
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
RRP: $134.95$94.47Save: 30%
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 07/08/2020 02:28:10. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
