Opuntia

Prickly pear, or Nopal, belongs to the cactus family and began to be cultivated 8 to 9 thousand years ago in central Mexico. European sailors discovered the plant in Haiti in the 16th century and brought it to the Mediterranean, from where it spread to other parts of the world. Currently, Nopal is most widely cultivated in Italy, India, Africa, the USA, Bolivia, Brazil and Mexico. This plant thrives even on dry, sandy and calcareous soils and in adverse conditions. It grows up to six meters and is characterized by fleshy elliptical leaves with thorns. The plant retains water in its leaves, thus maintaining its green freshness. Prickly pear only blooms at night and the flowers remain closed during the day to prevent water from evaporating from the plant. After flowering, 10 to 15 cm large, juicy and multi-seeded fruits are formed in the same places, which taste like a pear. In Mexico, we can find up to 60 species of Nopal, but only 13 of them are edible.

SIDE EFFECTS OF USE

Cactus fig powder can cause digestive problems or headaches if used excessively. People with health problems or pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using Nopal.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT DOSE?

The recommended daily dose is 3 grams per day, but at the very beginning of use, reduce the dose and observe how it affects you. Once your body gets used to the plant, you can increase the dose to the maximum amount.

HOW TO USE IT BEST?

You can use the powder in several ways: mix it in a glass of still water or add it to food, yogurt, porridge or mix it into a smoothie.

You may also know the herb by foreign or incorrect names. Opuntia maxima, Opuntia paraguayensis, Barbary fig, Indian fig, Indian fig opuntia.

This is an automatic machine translation.