The surprising medicinal uses of cactus
We often only know cacti for their ornamental uses or as hedges. However, in fact, cacti have many other uses that many of us do not know about.
According to Oriental medicine, cacti are generally bitter, cold and poisonous. Folklore often uses the tree sap as a medicine to treat stomachaches, but it needs to be mixed with a few other ingredients to reduce the strong effect. Many people also use cacti as an antiseptic.
In China, people use cactus to promote blood circulation, clear heat, detoxify, relieve congestion, and treat constipation and coughs.
The liquid extract from the cactus stem has antibiotic properties. It is also used to treat rheumatism, edema, warts, and skin diseases. The decoction of the stem can cure gout.
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Folklore often uses tree resin as medicine to treat stomachache. |
In India, people use crushed fresh cactus, apply it to swollen areas and treat some skin diseases and edema. The fruit is used as a medicine to treat whooping cough.
In folk medicine
In southern Europe, North Africa, India, Australia, South America, and Mexico, cactus fruit is considered a sweet, refreshing fruit that tastes like watermelon.
Some medicinal remedies from cactus
1. Back pain treatment:According to some folk remedies, cactus can be used as a medicine to treat back pain by boiling the Opunitia cactus and eating it.
2. Treatment of diabetes, stomach, fatigue:The prickly pear cactus, also known as the Ounitia cactus, is a type of cactus from the Opunitia family and is recommended for use around the world to help treat diabetes, stomach problems, fatigue, etc.
In Japan, a bio-sweetener extracted from the enzyme of a cactus is also popular for making coffee without sugar. A cup of such coffee costs 15 USD and it is safe for diabetics because it does not contain sugar but only causes a sweet feeling.
3. Treat fever:The juice from the fruit of the cactus mixed with honey, divided into small doses, helps promote expectoration. Because of its cooling and heat-clearing properties, the stem of this plant can cure fever.
4. Toothache treatment:Pick a cactus branch, scrape off the thorns, roast it until soft, crush it, remove the fibers, add a little salt. Then place it on the painful tooth and hold it tightly. When you drool, spit it out.
Do this for 3-4 days. After each use, remember to rinse your mouth and avoid swallowing as it can cause diarrhea.
5. Treating acne:Take a cactus branch, cut it in half, and heat it over a fire. While heating, press the cut side against the painful boil, and the poison will disappear.
You can also take a piece of cactus, scrape off the thorns, crush it with chili leaves and Malabar spinach leaves and apply it to pimples or boils to treat them.
6. Lower blood sugar:Many studies show that cactus also helps lower blood sugar. The blood sugar lowering effect is stronger when you boil 500g of leaves, divided into 2-3 times a day. Drink until blood sugar levels stabilize.
Cactus helps reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays emitted from electronic devices.
Why are cacti often placed near computers or electronic devices…? Is it just for decoration? Even though they prefer sunny and airy outdoor environments?
The main reason is because according to research by scientists, cacti can help reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays emitted from computers or electronic devices by absorbing part of these ultraviolet rays.
Among the tips to prevent the harmful effects of UV rays, including drinking tea, eating lots of bananas, placing a cactus pot near your computer or electronic device is the most effective and also very simple.
Cactus as food
This must be quite strange to many people because few people think that this thorny plant can make wonderful delicious dishes. There are cactus salad, stir-fried cactus with chili, cactus salad... according to statistics, there are about 350 dishes made from cactus. In Mexico and other American countries, cactus dishes are very popular, they are often prepared and sold as a daily vegetable.
The type of cactus commonly used as food is mainly the Opunitia cactus, a thin, elliptical cactus, scientifically known as Nopal. Recently, this type of cactus has been introduced to our country and is grown in Ninh Thuan. The parts of the cactus used as food include not only charcoal but their fruit is also very popular with the Cactus Smoothie which is not only delicious but also very eye-catching.
According to giaoduc.net.vn - NT
