Prickly Pear (Nopal Cactus) - Anti-diabetic and heart healthy

Prickly pear has been used in Mexico for over 1000 years to treat diabetes. It has been listed among one of the most commonly used natural products.

In fact, in 2002 a medical journal reported that this cactus "look-alike" plant, also called Nopal Cactus, is still used regularly in Central America.

What us Nopal Cactus?

Nopal¹ Cactus is the most commonly used herbal hypoglycemic among persons of Mexican descent.
-Journal of the American Pharmacists Association

Check out these topics related to diabetes supplements:

The use of Prickly pear as a natural supplement to help in the treatment of diabetes is not new. There is no reason to doubt it's herbal hypoglycemic effects.

I grew up seeing these things growing wild. We used to pass the plant growing near a house that an old lady used to live. I remember frowning at the news that that the old lady used to eat that stuff. Now I know why.

It is said the the Aztecs used it to control "sweet urine" - the same thing we now know as diabetes.

Prickly pear cactus is reported to have been used for many other conditions as well. Some of these include prostate enlargement, liver disease, shortness of breath, and stomach problems.

²Research has also shown that Nopal "may induce at least part of its beneficial actions on the cardiovascular system via decreasing platelet activity and thereby improving haemostatic balance."

In other words, it is good for your heart and blood vessels.

In studying the effect of prickly pear on glucose metabolism, ³Austrian scientists reported that the fiber in the plant may be responsible for the cholesterol lowering effect but the anti-diabetes effect was still not fully understood.

I use prickly pear as a combination with other herbal nutrition supplements. In fact, my favorite combination is one endorsed by ⁴Dr. Chappell.

The capsules have a combination of ginseng, cinnamon, gymnema sylvestre, and other anti-diabetes supplements. It is one of the fastest-acting natural products that I have used.

References

1. Shapiro K , Gong WC, Natural products used for diabetes, J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 2002 Mar-Apr ;42(2):217-26
2. Wolfram R , Budinsky A , Efthimiou Y , Stomatopoulos J , Oguogho A , Sinzinger H, Daily prickly pear consumption improves platelet function, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2003 Jul;69(1):61-6.
3. Wolfram RM , Kritz H , Efthimiou Y , Stomatopoulos J , Sinzinger H, Effect of prickly pear (Opuntia robusta) on glucose- and lipid-metabolism in non-diabetics with hyperlipidemia, Wien Klin Wochenschr, 2002 Oct;114(19-20):840-6.
4. James Chappell, A Promise Made, A Promise Kept, BL Publications (2005), Minnesota, USA.