Prickly Pear Cactus

Several community members talked about nopales as a common traditional food that they learned was helpful for a dietary approach to treating diabetes. After the spines are removed, it can be cooked in many different ways such as grilling or sauteeing and may be helpful in stabilizing blood sugar. Local opuntia were prepared for the treatment of burns and wounds. The spines were used to puncture abscesses or clean infected eyelids. Additionally, it was used on snakebites and warts, used to treat inflamed skin, swollen glands, and rheumatic concerns, and it was used as a lubricant in the facilitation of childbirth. If consumed, opuntia helps with constipation, diarrhea, and stomachaches. Opuntiaís healing potential has been expanded as a diet-related component to health conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol. The pads can be used and prepared in a similar matter to that of aloe vera gel. Prepared as a tea (from the flowers or the fruits) it can be an anti-inflammatory diuretic, ease painful urination, and be a hypoglycemic treatment that reduces cholesterol (only in people with high cholesterol). If eaten before a meal it can reduce blood sugar levels by 15-20% (only in those with high blood sugar), cool digestive heat, relieve symptoms of acid reflux and upset stomachs, and enhance the mucosa for protective and healing of ulcers in the stomach. 

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