Page 58 - 2006 DT 12 Issues

Wonderful Opuntia! cortisol and of C-reactive protein, a some regions, particularly Mexico.
marker of inflammation, which may When the Spanish explorers came
th
ad a little too much “liquid explain why frequent hangovers are to the New World in the 16 cen-
refreshment” last night? linked with an elevated risk of heart tury, they were so impressed with
HHair of the dog not work- attacks. A bout of heavy drinking the Opuntia’s many uses that they
ing? You should have taken a bit of increases short-term inflammation brought it back to Europe, where it
cactus extract before setting out to that can cause tissue damage. eventually made its way to Africa
celebrate. Your hangover might have The test results may come as no and South America. The sweet, red
been a lot easier to handle. surprise to some. Legends abound prickly pear fruit, known as tuna, is
It seems that an inflammation- about the medicinal wonders of rich in vitamin C and calcium. It has
fighting extract from Opuntia ficus various Opuntia species. Native become so popular that you can even
indica can suppress some of the peoples have used the pads (called buy prickly pear flavored bottled tea;
symptoms of a hangover. A 2004 nopales), stems, fruit and extracts of and both the pads and the fruit are
study conducted by Jeff Wiese of the prickly pear cactus for centuries stocked in your local supermarket
Tulane University Health Sciences to treat diabetes, rheumatism, minor produce department.
Center in New Orleans Clean water is a neces-
seems to bear out, at least sity that most of us take for
partially, a manufacturer’s granted. Just turn on the
claim that its herbal prod- tap and help yourself. But
uct containing extract from for many people around
the fruit of the prickly the globe, such luxury is
pear cactus reduces the unknown. Now, scientists
miseries of the morning hope to create a simple
after. According to Science filtering system using the
News, “the study may have wonderful properties of—
intriguing implications for you guessed it—Opuntia!
understanding and prevent- Long ago, people in
ing the effects of excessive Latin America used no-
alcohol consumption.” pales to filter sediment
After testing the prod- and other particulates from
uct, Hangover Prevention their drinking water. Af-
Formula, against a pla- ter boiling and eating the
cebo, those who took the Opuntia ficus indica pads, the boiled water was
real pill before their night dumped into the water
of heavy drinking reported fewer abrasions, sunburn, insect bites, dry supply. All the grit would settle to
“severe hangovers” the following skin and a host of other afflictions, the bottom leaving the water on top
morning than those who took the recognizing their anti-inflammatory clean enough to drink. According
placebo. The results were pretty and analgesic qualities. The prickly to Science News, Norma Alcantar, a
strong, although some of the classic pear’s blood sugar and cholesterol chemical engineer at the University
symptoms, including headaches and lowering properties have been borne of South Florida in Tampa, plans to
dizziness, didn’t show improve- out in laboratory tests. The flowers revive this practice.
ment. The blood samples of those can be useful in reducing urgency in To learn how the cactus cleans
on the real pill also showed lower certain urinary ailments. the water, Alcantar and her associates
concentrations of the stress hormone Nopales are also a food staple in extracted the thick, gooey mucilage,

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