NOPAL CACTUS_MEDICINAL USES_RECIPES

Nopal cactus__Medicinal Uses__Recipes

The Prickly Pear is the fruit of the medicinal Nopal cactus plant, (Opuntia cochenillifera (L.) Mill. ‘cochineal nopal cactus). Nopal means cactus in Spanish. Nopales means "cactus stem" and the term Nopalitos refers to the pads after they have been cut up and prepared for recipes. Jelly is made from the Prickly Pear fruit of the Nopal cactus plant. Slice the cooked (boiled or grilled) pads in long slices or in pieces or leave whole depending on the dish you will prepare. See recipes below...

Medicinal Uses of the Nopal Cactus Plant

IN SCIENTIFIC SPEAK

An excerpt from Medicinal Use of the Latin Food Staple Nopales - The Prickly Pear Cactus--By Miguel Angel Gutierrez

"The nopal has been used as a medicinal plant and is a hallmark vegetable in the Latin American diet. Various studies have demonstrated Opuntia’s ability to affect blood glucose and hypercholesterolemia. The intake of prickly pear pectin decreases plasma LDL levels, increases expression of apolipoprotein receptor expression, increases hepatic LDL turnover and affects cholesterol homeostasis in guinea pigs. Prickly pear pectin, however does not affect absorption of cholesterol in guinea pigs. The prickly pear cactus demonstrates the ability to decrease blood glucose levels as well the hyperglycemic peak during glucose tolerance testing. In addition, Opuntia has demonstrated the ability to control experimentally induced diabetes. Similar studies, along with domestic surveys have prompted international evaluation of the prickly pear cactus to determine its ability to regulate glucose utilization. Currently, homeopathic industries have begun to incorporate opuntia into supplements intended to help regulate plasma glucose levels."

IN LAYMAN SPEAK

Nopal cactus in its extract, powder and juice forms is widely claimed to be an antioxidant, it stabilizes blood sugar, it counteracts the effects of overindulgence (alcohol), it cleanses the colon, soothes the stomach, lowers cholesterol, protects the liver, and scrubs the walls of blood vessels. 

Nopal has long been a staple in Mexican cuisine.

Prickly Pear Jelly

About 15 large prickly pear fruits

Lemon or limejuice

Powdered pectin or Sure-Jell

Sugar

Use only fully ripe fruits. Slightly green fruits add an unpleasant sour flavor to the jelly. After removing the spines, cover the fruit in water and boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Mash the fruit and strain it through cheesecloth to produce the juice. Measure the juice.

(For every cup of juice, you will need 1 1/2 tablespoons powdered pectin or Sure-Jell, 2 tablespoons lemon or limejuice, and 1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar. The smaller amount of sugar yields a slightly tart jelly.)

Pour the juice into a clean pot, add the pectin and bring to a quick boil, stirring constantly. Add the lemon juice and sugar. Bring to a rolling boil, and cook for 3 minutes or until it passes the jelly test.

Pour the jelly into jars.

 

Nopales Salad

To one 24 oz. jar sliced or diced prickly pear cactus add

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 Tbs. snipped fresh cilantro

3 Tbs. Olive Oil

4 tsp. white wine vinegar or lime/lemon juice

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. dried Mexican oregano leaves

Dash of black pepper

Place the cactus, tomatoes, onion and cilantro in a glass bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together the rest of the ingredients, pour over vegetables and toss. Chill for several hours (at least 4) before serving.  Makes about 6 servings.

Grilled Nopal Stems or Nopales Asados

Grill over medium-hot bed of charcoal.

To prepare pads, scrape off thorns, cut off blemishes, rinse well and dry.

12 whole cactus pads/stems

3 Tbs. Olive Oil

Brush pads with olive oil and grill in 2 batches, turning occasionally, until softened and lightly charred, 3 to 6 minutes. Make 5 lengthwise cuts in each whole pad, almost to stem, so that it resembles a hand. Serve on a platter with grilled jalapeño peppers, Roquefort cheese and warm corn tortillas. Wrap strips of grilled cactus, cheese and peppers in tortillas as for taquitos (little tacos). Alternatively, slice each pad into bite size pieces and top with a piece of Roquefort Cheese and a drizzle of agave nectar.  Appetizers for 12.

In conclusion, Shebolith Says…a revival of knowledge about “The Laws of Nature”, reveal natural laws of healing utilizing that which is available to us in our environment.  If we take care of our environment, it will in turn take care of us by providing all the fresh air and sunshine, good clean water, vibrant nourishment and healing herbs the body requires to mend its self.  We must distance ourselves from the chemicals, drugs and surgeries of allopathic medicine. These practices are detrimental to good health savagely assaulting the human body.