Opuntia coccinellifera is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae.
Contents
Benefits
Opuntia coccinellifera is widely cultivated and commercially used in juices, jellies, candies, teas, and alcoholic drinks. American Indians used Opuntia coccinellifera juice to treat burns, and Opuntia coccinellifera has a long history in traditional Mexican folk medicine for treating diabetes. Its use in treating diabetes, lipid disorders, inflammation, and ulcers, as well as its other pharmacologic effects, have been documented. However, there is limited clinical information to support these uses.
Opuntia contains a range of phytochemicals in variable quantities, such as polyphenols, dietary minerals and betalains. Identified compounds under basic research include gallic acid, vanillic acid and catechins, as examples. The Sicilian prickly pear contains betalain, betanin, and indicaxanthin, with highest levels in their fruits.
In Mexican folk medicine, its pulp and juice are considered treatments for wounds and inflammation of the digestive and urinary tracts.
Caution
Hypersensitivity to any components of prickly pear. Dermatitis is the most common adverse reaction to prickly pear.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill. (tuna) and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (barbary fig, Indian fig). Other species include: Opuntia fragilis (Nutt.) Haw. (brittle prickly pear),Opuntia streptacantha
Reference
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opuntia
Drugs.com, http://www.drugs.com/npp/prickly-pear.html