Medical Cacti
Medical Cacti
For millennia American Indians have been using numerous species of cacti for food, medicine, divination, intoxication, magic, etc. In industrial countries their healing properties are not as well known as many of the Old World herbs, but some of them are amazingly effective. One of them is Selenicereus grandiflorus and Dr. Robert C. Atkins, designer of the Atkins Low Carbohydrate Diet, has this to say about it.
“In 1921, years before the pharmaceutical industry and consensus panels assumed control of the medical profession, a leading distributor of herbal medicines surveyed physicians to learn which herbs they prescribed most frequently. One of the favourites turned out to be night blooming cereus.
In today’s average doctor’s office, cactus is more likely to be found on a windowsill than in the dispensary, and just about every heart patient in the country is worse off as a result It is an effective herbal enhancer of the heart, capable of substantially reducing the need for risky, costly heart medications.
If it was a patentable drug instead of an inexpensive herb, its impressive range of benefits would probably make it a top-selling medication. Although it can strengthen the heart muscle in virtually every form of cardiovascular disease, it gives its best performance in treating cardiac rhythm disorders and mitral valve prolapse, which involves a weakness in a heart valve.
When it is taken with hawthorn, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, taurine, and L-Carnitine, among other heart nutrients, the therapeutic effects can be surprising. The wonderful thing about it is that the longer you use it, the better it works. It won’t weaken the heart, as do many cardiac medications. In fact, regular use often greatly reduces the need for such drugs.
The value of the cactus is therapeutic, not preventive, so only people diagnosed with heart disease should use it. Anticipate a less dire need for heart medications. However, reduce the dosage only under a physician’s supervision.”
In South Germany Selenicereus grandiflorus is grown in greenhouses of a pharmaceutical company to produce a drug which has a spasmolytic effect on the coronary arteries and promotes circulation.
Several species of Cacti contain alkaloids Hordenine and Tyramine, which have antiseptic properties due to their phenolic function. Several Indian groups use the juices of different Cacti to cleanse the skin and as an anti-bacterial agent. For millennia the Huichol have rubbed the juice of the crushed Peyote into wounds to prevent infection and promote healing. It has been shown that hordinine shows an inhibitory action against at least 18 strains of penicillin resistant Staphylococcus bacteria.
Many Indians use Peyote to maintain good health as well as ritually. Folkloric medicine has used Peyote to treat influenza, arthritis (rubbed on the skin for painful joints), consumption, diabetes, intestinal disorders, snake and scorpion bites and Datura poisoning. The Tarahumara have been known to consume small quantities of Peyote to combat hunger, thirst and exhaustion while on a long hunt. After eating it, they have been rumoured to have been able to run after a deer for days without food, water or rest.
Women of the Menomini tribe carry a basket of Peyote to be used for child-birth, earaches, or to be inspired to weave intricate spiral patterns. In fact in many Indian languages, their word for medicine is the same as for Peyote, so great is the healing power of this plant.
At least one Indian group is known to use the juice of Peyote on the scalp, and as a hair tonic.
After witnessing its effectiveness on the Indians, nineteenth century physicians soon became aware of Peyote’s healing gift. On Aug. 22, 1896 Medical record reported that the " effect of the drug was little less than marvellous." It was recommended for colour-blindness, as an anti-spasmatic, for general nervousness and insomnia. It was also prescribed for maladies such as asthma and "softening of the brain".
Peyote has also been reported to help poor eyesight and even blindness. It has been shown to help near-sightedness and astigmatism.
Peyote is prescribed in current times as an emetic (induces vomiting), as a cardiac stimulant, and as a narcotic (reduces or alleviates pain).
The Seri Indians of the Sonora desert are known to use the juice of the Saguaro Cactus to combat rheumatism.
In more modern times, researchers at the University of Arizona isolated a water soluble, crystalline substance from Peyote that exhibited " antibiotic activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria". They named it peyocactin.
Pellotine, an alkaloid present in several genera of Cacti, has been marketed commercially as a sedative in 1920's Germany. It also has antiseptic qualities.
Ariocarpus fissuratus has been used in folk medicine of Mexico and south western USA. It is believed to be more potent than peyote and is used in the same manner as that cactus or made into an intoxicating drink
The Tarahumares also consume a cactus which they call Mulato (Coryphantha macromeris) and claim that it prolongs life, gives speed to runners, and clarifies vision for mystical insights.
Discocactus zehntneri and its varieties albispinus, araneispinus, and boomianus are the Moon cacti. This is what Dr. Solomon Melchor Arroya, curator of the Peruvian Museum of Natural Science and Health has to say about Moon cactus. “...this is the Peruvian peyote. The plant produces seed-pods twice a year, when it flowers. Each flowering lasts only one night, but that night it produces many flowers and each flower has several seed-pods. You boil ten pods in just a half-a-cup of water, only for fifteen minutes, no more. The liquid is very sweet since the pods are filled with something like honey. After you drink it you begin to hallucinate. You travel all over the world - not like the San Pedro, which takes you to worlds which do not exist yet - but more like travelling in an astral body in this world. You can go wherever you want and see whomever you want. For eight hours you will have visions of your friends and what they are doing right now. You can learn many things from these hallucinations.
There is evidence that the ritualistic use of San Pedro dates back to 1000 BC. Even today it is used by Curanderos (medicine men) of northern Peru. They prepare a drink called CIMORA from it and take this in a ceremonial setting to diagnose the spiritual or subconscious basis of a patient's illness.
Trichocereus pachanoi - San Pedro. Known to the natives as the sacred Cactus of the four winds. Used traditionally in divination, diagnosis of disease, finding lost or stolen property, and to possess another person’s soul. A form of the original San Pedro religion still survives to this day, around Huacananda, Peru.
Dr. Solomon Melchor Arroya, curator of the Peruvian Museum of Natural Science and Health, gives the following description and receipe for the preparation: San Pedro is the plant of the future; a ritual plant. You put the parts of this plant in 30 liters of water and boil the water on a fire built with special wood. This during the full moon, of course, only during the full moon. All night the water boils and by noon you have only one liter of water left. Then you boil it very slowly for six more hours until you only have one-half a liter of water left. You let it sit for six hours; you drink it one full day after the fires were lit. At three in the morning your visions begin. You can see all your foes, your enemies, the trips you will take in your life. This is why it is called the plant of the future. Your visions will not be like those of other halucinogens you have used. With this plant, the visions are not physical, but astral and spiritual. It is difficult to explain. You will see the important things in your life, the friends you will have, your relations....but you are seeing things which do not yet exist. It is so very strong because it takes its energy from the sun, from one year to the next. It contains the very nectar of the sun; the concentrated power of the sun.
This cactus has gained considerable fame in the past five years, mainly because the effects of San Pedro are in many ways more pleasant than those of peyote. To begin with, its taste is only slightly bitter and the initial nausea is not as likely to occur. When the full psychotropic experience takes hold it is less overwhelming, more tranquil and not nearly as physical as that from peyote. One explanation for this is that some of the compounds are known sympathomimetics. Others have no apparent effects when ingested by themselves, but in combination with the mescaline and other active compounds they may have a synergistic influence upon one another and subtly alter the qualitative aspects of the experience. It is also possible that any compounds in the plant which act a mild MAO inhibitors will render a person vulnerable to some of the above mentioned amines which would ordinarily be metabolized before they could take effect.
In Mexico there is a popular liquor called mescal. Many people believe that it is made from the Peyote cactus. Actually it is fermented from the Maguey plant, a large succulent of the Amaryllis family with sword-like leaves. This plant does not contain mescaline or related alkaloids.
The Cactus Syrup
Centuries old concoction of cactus fruits juices, made by Indian Medicine Men along the west coast of South America. This is one of those strange folk medicines found by travellers in the market places all over the world, prepared by the local healers, witch doctors, medicine men, or shamans. A doctor will never prescribe them and you will never find them in a pharmacy, because the shamans keep the recipes secret, manufacturing methods are not in line with western pharmaceutical regulations and there were no controlled clinical trials of them. But the locals have used them for centuries and swear to their effectiveness.
It is not known which cacti fruits are used and how the medicine men prepare the syrup. It is very sweet and has a very herbal taste. It doesn’t have any hallucinogens, nor alcohol in it, but the effects can be compared to alcohol without most of the bad effects of alcohol. It does affect your motor control for about four hours and you cannot drive a car or do anything that requires good movement coordination. Clarity of your thinking is not affected, though your speech can be a little slurred. Its most common use is for relaxation, improvement of sexual functions by both sexes, against insomnia, stress and depression. It must not be used in combination with alcohol or with pharmaceutical or recreational drugs. It triples the effects of alcohol and other recreational drugs, making it very easy to overdose. Because there were no clinical trials done, I can only repeat the comments of users.
A small dose of The Cactus Syrup produces effects very similar to small quantities of alcohol, causing sedation and inducing a sense of relaxation. It can cause feelings of “warmness” and disinhibition.
Normal dose induces deep sleep, which last about 4 hours, but the quality of sleep is incomparably better than alcohol induced sleep. The Cactus Syrup induced sleep closely resembles normal sleep. Airlines travellers find it most useful to get a good sleep on the plane and then to get over their jetlags. Another segment of population that finds the Cactus Syrup useful are long distance drivers - some 20 minutes after taking it they are fast asleep for about 4 hours, getting very good quality sleep. The effect wears off after about four hours and some people wake up. If you want to continue sleeping, you can take another half a dose.
No hang over the next day.
No aggressive behaviour.
In females it reduces sexual inhibition and women report that their orgasms are longer and more intense.
Alleviates male impotence by increasing the ability to achieve erection. Though it also improves sexual performance, this effect is due more to the reduction of sexual inhibitions and anxiety/stress suppression, rather than triggering an erection.
Tolerance to The Cactus Syrup does not develop - once you find the right amount to produce the desired effect, you won’t have to increase that amount like with alcohol and drugs.
No toxicity. No deaths have ever been attributed to the use of Cactus Syrup.
There is an universal agreement among the users that it dramatically reduces their interest in alcohol. And there are a few, but persistent reports of its effectiveness in treatment of opiate withdrawal.
Other users report darkening of the hair, new growth of hair in bold men, and little loss of muscle tissue in people on weight reduction programs, while they are losing fat.
Because it is most effective on empty stomach, many people use it for weight control, but only in small doses. And because the physical effects of the syrup are more pleasant than those of a big meal, users eat less and lose weight.
Men with prostate problems have had their large prostate and symptoms related to it totally resolved with normal urination.
It is also used as an anti-anxiety agent for potentially suicidal patients and for panic attacks which are reversed within 15 to 20 minutes (on an empty stomach only).
Because it relaxes the muscles, it is used by the native women as an aid to childbirth - it spectacularly dilates the cervix, increases the intensity and frequency of uterine contractions.
Peyote in the treatment of alcoholism among American Indians
American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol 131 (No. 11) Nov 1974; 1247-1250, by Bernard J. Albaugh; Philip O. Anderson
Examined the development and effectiveness of a treatment program for alcoholism among American Indians. This program offers the alcoholic Indian both occupational and cultural therapy, including participation in the services of the Native American Church (peyote meetings). During these meetings, participants often ingest peyote (mescaline), which, like LSD, facilitates cathartic expression and enhances suggestibility. Although peyote meetings are not a cure for alcoholism, they do offer some specific advantages in the treatment of the unique problems of the Indian alcoholic.
Peyote, a potential ethnopharmacologic agent for alcoholism and other drug dependencies: Possible biochemical rationale
Clinical Toxicology, Vol 11 (No. 4) 1977; 459-472, by Kenneth Blum; Sanford L. Futterman; Paul Pascarosa.
Examines folk psychiatry among Native American Church members from an ethnopharmacologic viewpoint. Alcohol and opiate abuse among Indians and non-Indians are presented in 3 case histories proving to be asymptomatic under Indian guidance and through participation in the peyote ritual. The biochemical alkaloids common in the peyote cactus, rather than just the psychoactive substances (mescaline), are purported to be pharmacologically similar to the neuroamine-derived alkaloids found in the brain during alcohol intoxication. Evidence is reviewed that points out possible common features of alcohol and opiate dependence, leading to the speculation that a common mode of treatment may reside in plants rich in isoquinoline alkaloids.
MEDICAL IMPLICATIONS OF PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS
Alberto Frati
Chief, Department of Internal Medicine
Hospital de Especialidades Centro Medico "La Raza"
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
Mexico D.F., Mexico
Herbal remedies for diabetes mellitus are distributed worldwide. Some investigators have compiled more than 130 "medicinal" plants with supposed beneficial effect in diabetes. Nevertheless, only in about 30 of them has an antidiabetic effect been proven. Several plants have been used in Mexico as popular treatment for diabetes, including prickly pear cactus (nopal, Opuntia spp.) For that purpose Opuntia stems are ingested broiled, blended or as juice. Since 1979 there was experimental evidence indicating that Opuntia stems could decrease blood glucose levels in diabetic animals, and there were a few anecdotal reports of improvement of diabetes in human beings by this cactus. Recent studies performed at Centro-Medico "La Raza" have shown some interesting medical properties, as follows:
1. The intake with the meals of broiled Opuntia stems, during 10 days, improved glucose control in a small group of adults with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (Frati et al., 1989).
2. Serum glucose rising which follows the intake of a sugar load (oral glucose tolerance test) is lower with previous ingestion of Opuntia stems than if the sugar is ingested alone (Frati et al., 1989).
3. The effect on glucose tolerance test is dose related.
4. These findings might be ascribed to dietary fibres of Opuntia, since similar results can be achieved by Plantago psyllium mucilage or other sources of dietary fibres.
5. Opuntia stems administered to diabetic, obese and healthy volunteers, caused a diminution on serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, while HDL-cholesterol did not change and the "atherogenic index" improved (Frati et al., 1983). Body weight also decreased in obese subject. These results were similar to those obtained with Plantago psyllium by our group, and also can be ascribed to dietary fibres.
6. In patients with NIDDM, the ingestion of some species of nopal (Opuntia streptacantha, O. ficus-indica) in fasting conditions is followed by a decrease of serum glucose and serum insulin levels. This hypoglycemic effect does not depend on the rate of food absorption and it is not shared by dietary fibres.
7. The mechanism of this hypoglycemic effect is unknown. However it is not through the enhancement of insulin releasing, since serum insulin levels diminished. Thus an improvement in cellular sensitivity to insulin is suggested.
8. This hypoglicemic effect is dose-related and it is noticed with 300 grams of more of Opuntia stems. The effect is weak: with the ingestion of 500 g of the cactus, blood glucose levels decreased in three hours 30 to 40 mg/dl less than the initial value.
9. The hypoglycemic activity is progressive, reaching its greatest effect at 3 to 4 hours post-ingestion, and it lasts at least until the 6th hour.
10. Physical treatment of the stems might inactivate this property, but broiled, blended, cold or heated Opuntia stems still had the hypoglycemic effect.
11. The hypoglycemic effect was also noticed in healthy volunteers with experimentally intravenously induced hyperglycemia. However, it did not occur in healthy individuals with normoglycemia. Thus, it is save, even if eaten in large amount.
12. Undesirable side effects of Opuntia intake are only an increase in stool volume and frequency and abdominal fullness.
Semipurified Opuntia extracts are currently under investigation. Beneficial effects in diabetic subjects include decreasing in serum glucose and lipids, and reduction of obesity. However, at present Opuntia stems cannot be recommended as a hypoglycemic agent because of the lack of long-term clinical studies, and also because ideal doses and preparation are not determined. Opuntia is a low-caloric, high-fibre which may be recommended as a component of the diet, as well as other fibre-rich vegetables.
I found the following uses of cacti and succulents in folk medicine on
www.arizonacactus.com/medicine.htm
Prickly Pear (Opuntia)
A pad, broken off, is passed over an open fire to burn off the spines, then split in half, warmed (20 seconds in a microwave oven) and bound to the chest with a cloth to relieve rheumatic and asthmatic symptoms.
Similarly, earaches are treated by cleaning a pad, cutting it in half, warming it and placing it over the ear...a very effective remedy!
Likewise, hemorrhoids are relieved with a pad of prickly pear, cleaned, split and warmed.
The gooey juice of prickly pear cactus is used as a very soothing skin lotion for minor rashes, sunburn, and windburn.
Snakebites, and insect bites, burns, rashes, sunburn and minor abrasions are all treated with a poultice made from cleaned prickly pear Cactus.
Agave
A compress for local infections and fresh wounds is made out of the wet macerated pulp obtained from the heart of the Agave.
Similarly, such a compress is used for relieving chest congestion.
Raw Agave leaves induce vomiting.
The pulp of the heart of the Agave is also used to treat chapped lips, rashes, sunburn and snowblindness.
Yucca
Black ashes of Yucca are made into a paste by mixing them with water. This is then smeared over the entire body to break a fever.
Diuretics and emetics are commonly made from both the root and leaves of the Yucca.
Dandruff and associated hair and scalp problems are effectively treated by making a shampoo of the root of many varieties of Yucca.
The young shoots of Yucca serve as a pain reliever when mashed and boiled. Water is added to the boiled leaves or chopped up root sections of the plant induce vomiting.
Cholla(Cylindropuntia)
The Hopis chew on the roots of cholla Cactus to treat diarrhea.
The Navajos commonly use poultices made of the cleaned joints of cholla Cactus. They are despined, split lengthwise, heated and applied to relieve the pain of arthritis.
Ocotillo (Fouqueria splendens)
The Apaches effectively relieve fatigue by bathing in water which contains the crushed roots or flowers of the Ocotillo.
Many Indian tribes report that the flowers and roots of Ocotillo are commonly placed over fresh wounds to stem bleeding.
Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata)
An Apache Indian one told me that if I would chew and swallow a piece of a branch of Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), it would cure my diarrhea. I did...and it did!
A strong tea made of dried creosote bush leaves are commonly used to treat the common cold.
The resinous leaf nodes soothe bruises and wounds
A tea made from leaves of creosote bush and sweetened with a spoonful of honey, greatly relieve kidney pain.
Generally speaking, small dosages of these plants are sufficient and correct identification of all plants is imperative! If you have the slightest doubt about a plant, don't use it!
The following entries were copied from http://www.herb.com/herbal.htm without permission.
AGAVE (Century Plant, Maguey, American or False Aloe, Lechuguillla) Tinctuöre [Fresh Leaf, 1:2, Dried Root, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 30-60 drops, to 4X a day. The fresh leaf can induce a rash in some folks; test on arm first.
ALOE (Aloes Socrotine, etc.) DRIED JUICE. Capsules, a single #0 or #00. Tincture [ 1:10, 50% alcohol] 15-60 drops. Use with antispasmodic such as Acorus or Angelica.
BURSERA MICROPHYLLA (Elephant Tree, Torote) GUM. Tincture [1:5, 80% alcohol], 5-20 drops, and diluted for mouth wash. TWIGS/LEAVES. Fresh plant tincture [1:2], 10-30 drops.
CEREUS GRANDIFLORUS (Selenicereus, Peniocereus, Night-Blooming Cereus) FRESH STEMS. Fresh Tincture [1:2], 5-15 drops (Selenicereus spp.); 10-25 drops, (Peniocereus greggii). Either one to 4X a day.
*LOPHOPHORA (Peyote, Mescal Buttons) FRESH PLANT. Tincture [1:2], 20-40 drops to 4X a day. ILLEGAL TO POSSESS AT PRESENT.
OPUNTIA (Prickly Pear) FRESH JUICE, 2-4 ounces to 2X a day. DRIED FLOWERS, two or three as an infusion (strain VERY well).
YUCCA (Amole, Spanish Bayonet) ROOT. Capsules, #00, 2-3 , morning and evenings.
In addition to these cacti there are also many species of Yucca, Agave, Aloe and other succulents that are widely used in folk medicine of numerous cultures. We left out deliberately most of the information about the hallucinogenic effects of some cacti, but can be found on floppy disc “Ritual Cacti”.
If you know any other uses of cacti for healing, whether supported by clinical trials, or old wives tales, please e-mail us. We will post it, with your name crediting the contribution. If you will come across some websites that list some medical uses of cacti and succulents, please let us know
If you are into health foods and alternative medicine, visit our other web site www.health-harvest.com.au. You will find there some fascinating information about Spirulina, Stevia, weight control, diabetes, herbal cancer treatments, etc.