Cactus juice: what kind of drink is it, when and why is it used, from what types are they made and can it be purchased?

On the windowsills of many gardeners there is such an unpretentious plant as a cactus. It rarely blooms, but does not require special care and watering. However, it is able to surprise not only with lush flowering.

It turns out that such an unexpected product as cactus juice is a storehouse of nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Mexican people eat cacti for lunch, breakfast, dinner and, of course, dessert. Among other things, they are excellent fat burners, so they belong to diet foods. But in this article we will talk about the miraculous juice of cacti.

Is it possible to drink and from which species is a cactus drink made?

Currently, botanists know several thousand varieties of this spiny plant. It consists of more than half water, so it pulp and cactus fruits were often used to escape thirst representatives of the indigenous population of arid regions.

However, anyone who decides to follow their example and try cactus juice should remember that not all species are safe for humans when ingested. Particular attention should be paid to the inhabitants of window sills, since decorative inedible species often grow in flower pots.

Cactus species such as:

Prickly pear prickly pear. The edible and comprehensively useful part of this plant native to Mexico is its pinkish berries (and find out about small-haired prickly pears here).
Hilocereus. This Vietnamese cactus, growing on the stems of trees, bears fruit edible pitahaya, known to every lover of exotic.
Selenicerius, also called the Queen of the Night. Its fruit, formed after flowering, has a pleasant taste and aroma.
Schlumberger. Fleshy fruits the size of an apricot are suitable for extracting liquid.

Useful and medicinal properties, chemical composition

The beneficial properties of any plant depend on the chemical composition of its juice and pulp:

So, the pulp of many types of cacti contains alkaloids and substances with excellent antibacterial properties, which prevent the development of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, as well as a hemostatic effect.
The juice of almost all types has a strong diuretic effect, an exception to this rule is the Opuntia vulgaris, which has locking properties (for prickly pear and agave, read here).
Cactus is rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins, has excellent antioxidant properties. Active substances contained in the fruits of a prickly plant slow down the oxidation of fats in the human body and prevent atherosclerosis.

Indications for use

Juice can be used in the treatment of various inflammatory processes, bleeding and wounds, it is used for loss of strength and lack of vitamins, to stimulate the production of insulin, for the treatment of hypotension and cardiovascular diseases, for gastric disorders, to improve immunity and well-being, to reduce the risks of age-related diseases .

Important! There is a hypothesis that the use of cactus juice can help slow down the growth of cancer cells and the formation of metastases.

Contraindications

People prone to allergic reactions, eat any unfamiliar products inside with caution. After the onset of allergic reactions or side effects (headache, rash, nausea), the juice should be stopped immediately, if the symptoms persist, consult a doctor.

Due to the strong diuretic effect, drinking cactus juice and taking medications based on it is strictly forbidden to people with exacerbation of diseases such as cystitis and hemorrhoids.

How to cook?

Before extracting the liquid, the cactus fruit must:

Rid of thorns and rinse thoroughly. It is better to do this with gloves in order to damage your hands less (how not to prick a cactus and what to do if it happened).
Then the fruits are placed in an enameled bowl, water is poured into it, brought to a boil and waiting for them to slightly soften.
Soft fruits are pierced with a fork, juice begins to stand out from them.
After the fruits become completely soft, they can be crushed and the juice filtered through several layers of gauze.

A simpler option is to use a juicer.

Attention! Slices of cactus that are already peeled from the outer rough skin should be placed in the juicer.

How to apply?

Cactus juice can not be called a panacea for all ills, but it copes with some diseases successfully.

Hangover Syndrome. Although not quite a disease, this syndrome causes a lot of discomfort. Instead of traditional cucumber pickle, you can use cactus juice. He will cure a headache and restore strength.
Avitaminosis. To treat this ailment, you need to take up to 2 tablespoons of juice three times a day, mixing it with other fruit juices if desired.
Anemia or anemia. It is necessary 4 times a day to take 2 tablespoons of a mixture of cactus juice and grape wine, pre-mixed in a ratio of 1 to 1 and infused for 2 weeks.
Colds and coughs. For effective treatment, a tablespoon of honey is mixed with a teaspoon of marshmallow syrup and the same dose of cactus juice. The medicine received is taken three times a day.
Purulent wounds. Cactus juice is mixed with horseradish juice in a ratio of 2 to 1, this liquid is applied to the wound in the form of a compress, which is changed every three hours.
Sciatica, joint pain. Warm compresses with juice from the pulp of the plant can significantly relieve pain.

The above does not mean at all that you need to take a cactus growing on the windowsill and quickly cook it. If only because not every cactus is edible. In principle, cacti are not poisonous plants and will not cause harm to the body, but they well absorb the fertilizers that caring owners feed them. Therefore, if you decide to try a folk Mexican remedy, rinse thoroughly before use.

Attention! The listed recipes relate to traditional medicine, the possible side effects of science are not fully understood.

Can I buy?

It is worth recognizing that cactus juice is far from the most popular product in Russia. It is added to some inexpensive refreshing juice drinks, such as, for example, Frustyle. These drinks can be purchased in supermarkets at 30-40 rubles per 400 ml bottle. However, it is impossible to buy pure cactus juice without additives in stores in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The curious useful properties of a familiar home plant are not very well known in our country, but their effectiveness has been proven by a long history of application.