Prickly pear

Related Terms

1-Heptanecanol, 3-O-methylisorhamnein, 4-ethoxyl-6-hydroxymethyl-alpha-pyrone, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxyproline, 4-hydroxyproline(II), (6S,9S)-3-oxo-alpha-ionol-beta-D-glucopyranoside, adelprim, alpha-pyrone glycoside, amino acids, arabinose, aromadendrin, ascorbic acid, ash, aspasuc chocolate, barbary fig, betacyanin, betalains, betanin, biomage, Blanca Cristalina, Cactaceae (family), Cacti-NeaT, Cactus ficus-indica L., cactus flowers, cactus pear, CactuSlim, calcium, capteur de graisses (French), capture graisse (French), card?n de M?xico (Spanish), catechin, cellulose, chardon d'Inde (French), Cheaters Relief, ChitoRich, chlorophyll, chumbera (Spanish), chumbo (Spanish), chumbua (Spanish), Coach Minceur, complete, corchoionoside C, cutting force, daucosterol, diet bread, Dietabelt, (+)-dihydrokaempferol, (+)-dihydroquercetin, DuoLean, (E)-ferulic acid, epicatechin, eriodictyol, Esmeralda, fiber, fiber & herb, figo da India (Portuguese), figo de pitoira (Portuguese), figue de Barbarie (French), figueira da India (Portuguese), figuera de moro (Spanish), figuier ? raquettes (French), figuier d'Inde (French), Feigenkaktus (German), flame diet, folate, Frucht des Feigenkaktus (German), fructose, galactose, galacturonic acid, gallic acid, glucose, Gracemere pear, Herbopuntia, higo chimbo (Spanish), higo chumbo (Spanish), higo de pala (Spanish), higo M?xico (Spanish), higuera de pala (Spanish), hyaluronic acid, Indian fig, indianische Feige (German), indicaxanthin, innocent peanuts, iron, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside, kaempferol, kaempferol 3-methyl ether, kaempferol 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, kaktea minceur (French), kaktuline, L-ascorbic acid, light malban, light nougat, linoleic acid, lipo block, lipoblock, Lipopuntia, Lipostop, L-(-)-malic acid, lomo notte, luteolin, maltase, manganese, mescaline, myricetin, Naranjona, narcissin, neOchelate, neOline, Neomincil, NeOpuntia? (Opuntia ficus-indica fiber), NeOpuntia? 100, NeOpuntia? 500, NeOpuntia? 1500, NeOpuntia? fettbinder (German), NeOpuntia? herb complex, NeOpuntia? kapseln (German), NeOpuntia? y FOS (Spanish), nopa lo, nopal cactus, nopal de castilla (Spanish), nopal flour, Nopalea cochinellifera (Linn.) Salm-Dyck (Cactaceae), Nopalea dejecta, nopales (Spanish), nopalito (Spanish), nopol, o calorie, OB2, opunce (French), opuncja (Polish), OpunDiaT, Opuntia, Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus), Opuntia chlorotica (pancake prickly pear), Opuntia compressa, Opuntia compressa var. humifusa (eastern prickly pear), Opuntia dillenii, Opuntia ectodermis, Opuntia elator, Opuntia engelmannii (calico cactus, Engelmann prickly pear, Engelmann's pear), Opuntia erinacea (grizzly bear Opuntia, hedgehog prickly pear, porcupine prickly pear), Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian fig Opuntia), Opuntia ficus-indica f. inermis, Opuntia ficus-indica Mill., Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten, Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Makino, Opuntia ficus-indica var. villanueva L., Opuntia fragilis (brittle cactus, little prickly pear), Opuntia humifusa (eastern prickly pear, low prickly pear, smooth prickly pear), Opuntia hyptiacantha, Opuntia imbricata, Opuntia laevis, Opuntia lasciacantha, Opuntia leucotricha (arborescent prickly pear, Aaron's beard cactus, duraznillo blanco, nopal blanco, semaphore cactus), Opuntia lindheimeri (Texas prickly pear), Opuntia littoralis (sprawling prickly pear), Opuntia macrocentra (black spine prickly pear, purple prickly pear), Opuntia macrorhiza (plains prickly pear, tuberous prickly pear), Opuntia maxima, Opuntia megacantha, Opuntia microdasys (bunny ears), Opuntia opuntia, Opuntia phaeacantha (brown-spined prickly pear, New Mexico prickly pear, purple-fruited prickly pear), Opuntiapolyacantha (plains prickly pear), Opuntiapuberula, Opuntiapusilla (creeping cactus), Opuntiarobusta, Opuntia rufida (blind prickly pear), Opuntiasanta-rita (Santa Rita prickly pear), Opuntiaspinosbacca (spiny-fruited prickly pear), Opuntiastreptacantha, Opuntiastricta, Opuntiastricta (coastal prickly pear, spineless prickly pear), Opuntiastrigil (bearded prickly pear), Opuntiavelutina, Opuntiaviolacea (purple prickly pear, Santa Rita prickly pear), Opuntiavulgaris, Opuntiavulgaris P., Opuntiawentiana, opuntin B, opuntin B(I), opuntioid cacti, opuntiol, opuntioside, opuntioside-I, palmatoria sem espinhos (Portuguese), pectin, penca, phase 3, pheophorbide A, phosphorus, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, phytochemicals, pentadieta, polyphenols, polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, potassium, prickle pear cactus, prickly pear, prickly pear cactus, prickly-pear, protocole brule-graisse (French), pyropheophorbide-a, quemalip, quercetin, quercetin 3-methyl ether, raquette (French), rhamnose, rutin, selenium, Sicilian cactus pear, Sicilian prickly pear, soupe au chou (French), spineless prickly pear cactus, Start 3 Minceur, tabaido (Portuguese), taurine, taxifolin, termocuts, thermophilic laccase, Tri Action Minceur, trim form, tuna, tuna cardona, tuna de Espa?a (Spanish), tuna espa?ola (Spanish), tuna mansa (Spanish), tuna real (Spanish), tyrosine, tyrosine(III), Ultra Fett-Blocker (German), vanillic acid, vanillin, vita si-in linea, Vitalslim, Westwood pear, xebec, xoconostle cv. Cuaresme?o (Opuntia matudae), xylose, Zhi Puntia, zinc.

Background

Nopal (also known as prickly pear) has been used as both food and medicine. Nopals are common in North American deserts and are generally sold fresh, canned, or dried for use in the preparation of traditional Mexican dishes. Nopal juice is used in jellies and candies. The fruit is also eaten fresh or used in pies, deserts, shakes, or spreads.
Traditionally, nopal has been used as an anti-inflammatory or a laxative. Nopal may offer benefits to individuals with an alcohol-induced hangover, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). However, additional research is needed.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Some studies suggest that nopal may prevent hangover symptoms, including fatigue, headache, dizziness, and a general unpleasant feeling. More evidence is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Some studies suggest that nopal may prevent hangover symptoms, including fatigue, headache, dizziness, and a general unpleasant feeling. More evidence is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Scientific studies suggest that nopal may reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Scientific studies suggest that nopal may reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Some studies have found that nopal may help reduce cholesterol. However, more evidence is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Some studies have found that nopal may help reduce cholesterol. However, more evidence is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Nopal has been taken by mouth as capsules, flowers, dried flower liquid extract, pear pulp, stem extract, broiled and blended stems, broiled leaves, and as the products OpunDiaT and NeOpuntia?.
For hangover prevention, 1,600 international units of nopal have been taken by mouth five hours before drinking alcohol.
For diabetes, the following have been taken by mouth: 10.1 grams of nopal stem extract as a single load, following a glucose load; up to 500 grams of broiled and blended nopal stems as a single dose; a single dose of 30 nopal capsules; 10 nopal capsules three times daily for one week; 100 grams of broiled nopal leaves daily for 10 days; and 400 milligrams of OpunDiaT daily for 16 weeks.
For high cholesterol, the following have been taken by mouth: 1.6 grams of NeOpuntia? three times daily with meals for six weeks; 100 grams of broiled nopal leaves daily for 10 days; 250 grams of edible nopal pulp daily for 4 weeks and 8 weeks; and 10 capsules of nopal three times daily for one week.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Nopal may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Nopal may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Nopal may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Nopal may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Nopal may also interact with agents that may affect the brain or nervous system, agents that may affect cholesterol levels, agents that may affect the immune system, agents that may affect the liver, agents that may lower seizure threshold, agents that may prevent muscle spasms, agents that may affect the heart, antiallergy agents, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, antiulcer and gastric acid-reducing agents, antiviral agents, chlorpropamide, diuretics, glipizide, highly protein-bound agents, hormonal agents, metformin, ranitidine, thyroid hormones, and weight loss agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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