{"id":10319,"date":"2026-09-22T18:33:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/wiki-archiv\/kaktusfeige-opuntia-ficus-indica\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T18:33:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:33:41","slug":"kaktusfeige-opuntia-ficus-indica","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wiki-archiv\/kaktusfeige-opuntia-ficus-indica\/","title":{"rendered":"Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"position:relative;width:100%;min-height:340px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2c3e6b,#4a5fa5,#7d8fd1);border-radius:12px;margin:0 0 24px 0;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:40px;\">\n<h1 style=\"color:#ffffff;margin:0;text-align:center;\">Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"eh-arch\">\n<div class=\"ea-steck\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Botanical name<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Opuntia ficus-indica<small>Cactus family (Cactaceae)<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">is used<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Fruit and young shoots<small>The fruit is eaten raw, the shoots as a vegetable.<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">The taste<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Sweet, mild, melon-like<small>with an earthy aftertaste<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Origin<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Mexico<small>today it has become wild all around the Mediterranean<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Known for<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Glochides and betalains<small>fine barbs, vibrant color<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">season<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">August to November<small>Imports from Sicily and Spain<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-body\">\n<nav class=\"ea-nav\">\n<div class=\"t\">On this page<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"#herkunft\">Origin<\/a><a href=\"#nutzen\">To use<\/a><a href=\"#inhalt\">Ingredients<\/a><a href=\"#kombi\">Reinforced combinations &amp; what clashes<\/a><a href=\"#gerichte\">In the kitchen<\/a><a href=\"#hausmittel\">As a home remedy<\/a><a href=\"#tradition\">Ayurveda &amp; TCM<\/a><a href=\"#warn\">Warning notices<\/a><a href=\"#passend\">Related to the topic<\/a><a href=\"#quellen\">Sources<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"box\"><b>In short<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The prickly pear is the fruit of the prickly pear cactus \u2013 sweet, juicy, and surprisingly rich in magnesium for a fruit. Its nasty side lies on the outside: tiny barbs called glochids \u2013 easily removed with gloves, a brush, and water. The seeds, however, are rock-hard and should not be eaten. In Mexico, the young shoots are also eaten as a vegetable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<div>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"herkunft\">\n<h2><span>Origin<\/span>The cactus in the coat of arms of Mexico<\/h2>\n<div class=\"eh-kraeuter-img\"><img class=\"lazyload\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271024%27%20height%3D%27683%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201024%20683%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271024%27%20height%3D%27683%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/kaktusfeige-opuntia-ficus-indica-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Reife Kaktusfeigen an der Pflanze\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:14px;border:2px solid rgba(201,162,75,0.4);box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(23,58,36,0.15);\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-satz\">Mexico&#039;s flag features an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus - the plant is called that there. <em>nopal<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ea-drop\">Opuntia ficus-indica originates from Mexico and has been used there for millennia: as a fruit, as a vegetable, and as a host plant for the cochineal insect, from which the red dye carmine is extracted. The ripe fruit is called [insert name of fruit there]. <em>tuna<\/em>, the flat shoot <em>nopal<\/em>; both are still present in every major market today.<\/p>\n<p>The cactus arrived in the Mediterranean in the 16th century with Spanish ships. It required little water, thrived in barren volcanic soil, and spread rapidly. Today, it shapes the landscape in Sicily, Spain, North Africa, and Israel; Sicily is Europe&#039;s most important growing region. In arid regions, it serves both as animal fodder and as a living fence; in Australia and South Africa, it has become a problematic weed.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"nutzen\">\n<h2><span>To use<\/span>What the prickly pear can do for you<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ea-drop\">100g of fruit pulp provides only about 41 kcal, plus about 3.6g of... <strong>Dietary fiber<\/strong>, 14 mg Vitamin C, 220 mg Potassium, 56 mg Calcium and with approximately 85 mg <strong>magnesium<\/strong> An unusually high amount for a fruit - an apple contains about 6 mg.<\/p>\n<p>The vibrant color comes from <strong>Betalainen<\/strong> - the same pigments that make beetroot red. In test tubes, they are good free radical scavengers; their effect in humans is unclear. A harmless side effect is particularly noticeable: in some people, urine and stool take on a reddish hue for one to two days.<\/p>\n<p>Only small studies exist on its effects. A 2015 review summarized the controlled trials: body weight remained unchanged, body fat percentage, blood pressure, and total cholesterol decreased slightly\u2014the effects were small and their practical significance questionable. A 2004 study, in which an extract administered before alcohol consumption alleviated some hangover symptoms but had little overall effect on the severity of the hangover, became well-known. The frequently cited blood sugar studies usually involve cooked shoots, not the fruit itself. In short: a fine fruit, not a medicine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ea-zahlen\">\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approx. 85 mg<\/b><span>Magnesium per 100g - a lot for one fruit<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approx. 3.6 g<\/b><span>Dietary fiber per 100 g<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approx. 41 kcal<\/b><span>per 100g of fruit pulp<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>Aug\u2013Nov<\/b><span>Peak season from Sicily and Spain<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"inhalt\">\n<h2><span>Ingredients<\/span>This is what&#039;s inside the prickly pear<\/h2>\n<p>The fruit consists of approximately 85% water and contains fructose and glucose, soluble and insoluble fiber including swelling mucilage, betalains such as red betanin and yellow indicaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, flavonoids such as isorhamnetin, as well as magnesium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.<\/p>\n<p>The hard kernels contain a high-quality oil rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E \u2013 expensive, because around a ton of fruit is needed to produce just one liter. The young shoots, the nopales, are almost fat-free and consist mainly of water, mucilage, and fiber.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"kombi\">\n<h2><span>Enhanced combinations<\/span>What makes the prickly pear stronger<\/h2>\n<p>The flesh is mild and slightly earthy - it thrives on acidity, saltiness and spiciness.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ea-kombi\">\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">acid<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>lime<\/i><\/div>\n<p>It enhances the mild flesh.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Breakfast<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Yogurt &amp; Honey<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Color and freshness in the glass.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">lettuce<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Feta &amp; Mint<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Sweet meets salty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Sharpness<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>chili<\/i><\/div>\n<p>This is how they eat them in Mexico.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Sieve<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">as <i>pureed<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Much more pleasant without the seeds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">cold<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">as <i>Sorbet<\/i><\/div>\n<p>It tastes best chilled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"ea-beisst-h\"><span>What contradicts itself<\/span>It&#039;s best to avoid these combinations.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ea-kombi beisst\">\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">hands<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>without gloves<\/i> touch<\/div>\n<p>Glochids are immediately embedded in the skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">kernels<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>chew<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Rock hard - bad for your teeth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Crowd<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>several fruits in one piece<\/i><\/div>\n<p>The kernels can accumulate in the intestines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Peel<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>eat with us<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Tough and full of barbs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Maturity<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>buy rock-hard<\/i><\/div>\n<p>It does not ripen further.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Children<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>Let it peel on its own<\/i><\/div>\n<p>The hairs are difficult to remove.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"gerichte\">\n<h2><span>In the kitchen<\/span>Where she belongs<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"ea-gerichte\">\n<li><span class=\"g\">Prickly pear sorbet<\/span><span class=\"w\">Passed through and frozen.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">fruit salad<\/span><span class=\"w\">With melon and lime.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Smoothie<\/span><span class=\"w\">With banana and orange juice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">jam<\/span><span class=\"w\">Passata, with lemon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Syrup for lemonade<\/span><span class=\"w\">Boiled down and filtered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Salad with feta<\/span><span class=\"w\">With mint and olive oil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Nopales salad<\/span><span class=\"w\">From young shoots, Mexican style.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Tacos with nopales<\/span><span class=\"w\">Grilled, with onion and chili.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Tuna water<\/span><span class=\"w\">Mexican amniotic fluid.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">yogurt cup<\/span><span class=\"w\">With mashed potatoes and nuts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ea-tipp\"><b>Rule of thumb:<\/b> Always wear household gloves. Brush the fruit and rinse it under running water, then cut off both ends, score the peel lengthwise and open it up \u2013 the flesh will come off in one piece.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"hausmittel\">\n<h2><span>As a home remedy<\/span>Pureed potatoes for gentle digestion<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-rezept\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Here&#039;s how it works<\/div>\n<h3>Prickly pear puree<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Brush two ripe prickly pears with gloves and rinse thoroughly under running water.<\/li>\n<li>Cut off both ends, score the peel lengthwise, open it up and remove the pulp.<\/li>\n<li>Strain the pulp through a fine sieve so that the hard seeds remain behind.<\/li>\n<li>Mix with a little lime juice, eat plain or in yogurt and drink a large glass of water with it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">For what<\/div>\n<p>As a mild fruit for sluggish days: Mucilage and fiber bind water and keep stools soft, similar to figs or prunes. This isn&#039;t scientifically proven, it&#039;s based on anecdotal evidence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"k\" style=\"margin-top:14px\">Crowd<\/div>\n<p>One to two pureed fruits a day, always with plenty of liquid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"tradition\">\n<h2><span>Ayurveda &amp; TCM<\/span>What the old systems say<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-trad\">\n<div>\n<h3>Ayurveda<\/h3>\n<p>The prickly pear is not described in classical Ayurveda \u2013 the plant only reached India with the Portuguese. According to modern classification, the ripe fruit is considered sweet, cooling, and moistening, and therefore balancing for Pitta; it is used sparingly for Kapha.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3>Traditional Chinese Medicine<\/h3>\n<p>It is not mentioned in classical TCM either. In Western TCM nutritional theory, it is classified as sweet and cooling and is considered a fruit that produces fluids, similar to melon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"warn\">\n<h2><span>Warning notices<\/span>When you should be careful<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-warn\">\n<h3>Please note<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Glochids<\/strong> Never touch with bare hands - the fine barbs are embedded in the skin and are almost impossible to pull out.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cores:<\/strong> Do not chew and do not eat in large quantities; in isolated cases, intestinal blockages have been described due to accumulated prickly pear seeds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Colon:<\/strong> If you have diverticula, intestinal narrowing or persistent constipation, eat only pureed fruit pulp.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coloring:<\/strong> Reddish urine or stool is harmless; if the discoloration persists for more than two days, please consult a doctor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wild collection:<\/strong> Avoid fruit from roadsides and parks - dust, exhaust fumes and pesticides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-hinw\">This page provides information and does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persist, please consult a doctor.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"passend\">\n<h2><span>Related to the topic<\/span>Read on and cook along!<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-passend\"><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/feige-ficus-carica\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Cowardly<\/span><span class=\"d\">The namesake - botanically far removed.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/rote-bete-beta-vulgaris\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Beetroot<\/span><span class=\"d\">The same dyes: betalains.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/aloe-vera-aloe-barbadensis\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Aloe Vera<\/span><span class=\"d\">The other desert plant with mucus.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/limette-citrus-aurantiifolia\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">lime<\/span><span class=\"d\">The acidity contrasts with the mild flesh.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/granatapfel-punica-granatum\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">pomegranate<\/span><span class=\"d\">The right trick counts here too.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/product\/magnesiumcitrat\/\"><span class=\"art\">Our shop<\/span><span class=\"n\">Magnesium citrate<\/span><span class=\"d\">If you want more magnesium.<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-hinw\">Shop links lead to our product pages; it is indicated there if a partner is involved.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k ea-quellen\" id=\"quellen\">\n<h2><span>Sources<\/span>What is this based on?<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>USDA FoodData Central: <em>Prickly pears, raw.<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Consumer Advice Center Bavaria: <em>How do you eat prickly pears?<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Onakpoya IJ, O&#039;Sullivan J, Heneghan CJ. <em>The effect of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.<\/em> Nutrition 2015; 31(5): 640\u2013646.<\/li>\n<li>Wiese J, McPherson S, Odden MC, Shlipak MG. <em>Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on symptoms of the alcohol hangover.<\/em> Archives of Internal Medicine 2004; 164(12): 1334\u20131340.<\/li>\n<li>Steinberg JM, Eitan A. <em>Prickly pear fruit bezoar presenting as rectal perforation in an elderly patient.<\/em> International Journal of Colorectal Disease 2003; 18(4): 365\u2013367.<\/li>\n<li>Inglese P et al. (eds.): <em>Crop Ecology, Cultivation and Uses of Cactus Pear.<\/em> FAO and ICARDA, Rome 2017.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kaktusfeige (Opuntia ficus-indica) Botanischer Name Opuntia ficus-indicaKakteengew\u00e4chse (Cactaceae) Verwendet wird Frucht und junge Triebedie Frucht roh, die Triebe als Gem\u00fcse Geschmack S\u00fc\u00df, mild, melonigmit erdigem Nachklang Herkunft Mexikoheute rund ums Mittelmeer verwildert Bekannt f\u00fcr Glochiden und Betalainefeine Widerhaken, kr\u00e4ftige Farbe Saison August bis NovemberImport aus Sizilien und Spanien Auf dieser Seite HerkunftNutzenInhaltsstoffeVerst\u00e4rkte Kombis &amp; was<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10318,"parent":5278,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10319","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10319\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5278"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}