A Few Facts About Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus


Opuntia ficus-indica is the scientific name for Prickly Pear Cactus...

It's called the ''prickly pear cactus" and there is a good reason why,
With more than 300 varieties of "prickly pear cactus" some of the new varieties may have very few prickles.Yet they all have prickles...

The "Prickly Pear Cactus" grows in most soils, but it especially likes sandy or rocky soils on steep slopes - soils that are not usually good for other crops,it grows on infertile soil, which also helps to combat soil erosion in dry areas.
It grows well with little rain, and with a lot of rain they grow even better.

The "Prickly Pear" grows on the side of the leaf and looks like a small, round cucumber with prickles. It is also called the desert fig. The fruit is sweet and refreshing. It can also be made into jellies, juices and even dried to name a few uses. The young leaves can be eaten as a vegetable they look like pear-shaped disks and are covered with prickles or thorns, so you have to be careful when picking or preparing them

One way to pick "Prickly Pear Cactus" fruit when its ready is to cover each one with a plastic cup, or use gloves to keep your hands from getting prickles. Cut the fruit off at its base~ then place the fruit on a hard surface ~ then hold the "Prickly Pear" fruit still with a fork and cut through the outer skin with a knife. Peel the skin back all around leaving the pitty fruit. Now it is ready to eat! The whole fruit can be eaten -pits and all. Warning be careful! People who eat a lot of "Prickly Pear Cactus" fruit have had problems with the pits compacting in their intestines

The "Prickly Pear Cactus" also called tuna, which is the fruit and the pad of the "Prickly Pear Cactus" nopal, which are commonly boiled and eaten as a vegetable."Prickly Pear Cactus"

When the"Prickly Pear Cactus" is cut open and heated, the leaves of the"Prickly Pear Cactus"
have medicinal use in treating sores and swelling. A commercial dye can be made from the cochineal, an insect that lives on the "Prickly Pear Cactus".The fluid of the "Prickly Pear Cactus"
can be used as an adhesive in agricultural spraying or made into soap.
The leaves of the "Prickly Pear Cactus" can be used for animal feed in times of drought...

There a book called "Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine" this book explains the health benefits you can expect when prickly pear cactus is consumed daily ... It has been clinically studied, the studies have show to help diabetics control blood sugar better, high and lows, lowering the bad cholesterol, with some forms of cancer and lowering Blood Pressure.
There is an easier way to consume this wonderful fruit...other than growing your own ... even when they are available and can you buy them in the store the prickles maybe gone, still you have to peel it and then there are the pitty/seeds...There is a Whole Food Puree made from 92% Prickly Pear Cactus and 8% mango ..If you like more information visit Prickly Pear Cactus Puree


Please contact Jim or Denise @ 407.542.6633 or 386.235.6864

Email jim@jimdenise.com
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