Opuntia in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Opuntia

Scientific name

Opuntia streptacantha

Family

Cactaceae

Origin

Mexico

Synonyms

Parts Used

Juice obtained from the blades of the plant

Chemical constituents

• Soluble fibers (whose bond is not broken even by gastric juices) which behave like glucomannan;
• High molecular weight polysaccharides (opuntiamannan, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galacturonic acid);
• Pectins;
• Mucilage;
• Phytosterols.

Opuntia in Herbalist: Properties of Opuntia

Opuntia extracts slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and dietary lipids, therefore they are especially useful for hyperlipidemic and obese diabetics.
Attention because the diabetic can run into hypoglycemic peaks, so the intake of opuntia must be done under strict medical supervision.