Prickly Pear

Scientific Name(s): Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., Opuntia fragilis (Nutt.) Haw., Opuntia streptacantha Lem., Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill.
Common Name(s): Nopal, Prickly pear, Tuna

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 15, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Prickly pear is widely cultivated and commercially used in juices, jellies, candies, teas, and alcoholic drinks. American Indians used prickly pear juice to treat burns, and prickly pear has a long history in traditional Mexican folk medicine for treating diabetes. Its use in treating diabetes, lipid disorders, inflammation, and ulcers, as well as its other pharmacologic effects, have been documented. However, there is limited clinical information to support these uses.

Dosing

Prickly pear is commercially available in numerous doseforms, including capsules, tablets, powders, and juices, and as food. Follow manufacturers' suggested guidelines if using commercial products. Typical dosage regimens are two 250 mg capsules by mouth 3 times a day or every 8 hours.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any components of prickly pear.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use during pregnancy and lactation because of the lack of clinical studies.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Dermatitis is the most common adverse reaction to prickly pear.

Toxicology

Little information is available.

Scientific Family

• Cactacceae

Botany

Prickly pears are members of the Cactacceae or cactus family, which includes about 97 genera and 1,600 species. The species are found in Europe, Mediterranean countries, Africa, southwestern United States, and northern Mexico. Plants in the genus Opuntia prefer a dry, hot climate and consist of perennial shrubs, trees, and creeping plants. Prickly pear can grow 5 to 8 m in height; its roots are shallow, but the plant can spread up to 40 m in diameter over the ground. The stems are branched, leaves are cylindrical in shape, and the plant is covered with barb-tipped bristles (known as glochids) that are unique to Opuntia. Its flowers, petals, and sepals are numerous in quantity and color. The oval, pear-shaped, purplish fruit is pulpy and sweet but may be covered with spines or bristles. The seeds within the pulp are disk-shaped and have numerous colors.1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Because information on this species as a whole is sparse, the following subspecies are also included in various aspects of the discussion: Opuntia fulginosa, Opuntia megacantha, Opuntia dillenii, Opuntia microdasys, Opuntia bieglovii, Opuntia acanthocarpa.

History

Prickly pear is widely cultivated and used in juices, jellies, candies, teas, and alcoholic drinks. The fruits and flowers of the plant are used as natural food colorants. Cactus gum is used to stiffen cloth. Essential oils from the flowers are used to make perfumes, and the seeds are a source of oil. Prickly pear has also been used as a source of animal feed and dye.1, 4

There are numerous medicinal uses of the plant. American Indians used prickly pear juice to treat burns. Often a cone of plant material would be burned on the skin to treat irritation or infection, a process known as moxabustion in Chinese medicine. The Lakota tribe used prickly pear in a tea to assist mothers during childbirth.1

Prickly pear has a long history of traditional Mexican folk medicine use, particularly as a treatment for di...