Cactus Flower Juice is a juice made from prickly pear cactus flowers. The juice is widely consumed in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Read how you can easily grow prickly pear cactus plants in your own garden and how you can harvest and make the juice at home.
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How to Make Cactus Flower Juice at Home?
The Cactus flower is a type of flower that is available in a number of reds and purples. This flower is very beautiful and is traditionally used in making wreaths. When the cactus flower is made into juice, it can help you to relieve your pain. In addition, it can help you to get rid of your stress.
Cactus is also popularly known as nopal, a plant with a large number of medicinal and nutritional applications. The flowers of the cactus have a high concentration of anti-inflammatory. It is also used to treat allergic conditions and respiratory problems.
Ingredients
- A handful of cactus flowers.
- 1 cup coconut water.
- 2 oranges
- 1 lemon
Recipe
Step 1 -Clean all collected cactus flowers.
Step 2 – Bring a pot of water to a boil and then dip flowers into it.
Step 3 – Soak them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes when they start releasing their juice.
Step 4 – Carefully remove the cacti flowers from the pot and let them cool.
Step 5 – Clean the cacti flowers and cut them into small cubes.
Step 6 – Place the crushed flowers in a blender along with the oranges, lemon, and coconut water.
Step 7 – Stir thoroughly until the consistency is smooth.
Step 8 – Put the cheesecloth in a bowl and strain the resulting mixture through it.
Step 9 – Squeeze the cactus flowers pulp in cheesecloth, squeezing out as much juice as possible.
Step 10 – Remove the squeezed cactus pulp, refrigerate the juice and drink chilled.
Nutritional Value of Cactus Juice
Cactus flower juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, and others. It also contains a lot of iron and calcium, and there are also beta-carotene and magnesium in it as well. There are no calories at all in cactus flower juice, but it does contain omega-6 fatty acids which are essential to the human body.
Getting juice from a cactus is somewhat of a chore. The time it takes and the number of steps it requires to go from the fruit/ flowers to a homemade beverage are greater than with other fruits/ flowers, but the rewards are many. Cactus juice is available for purchase at specialty grocers, but it may be too pricey and contain some additives because of how exotic a fruit it is.
Making juice from a cactus flower allows you to personalize your drink with different fruits. Cactus is healthy for you, but it also comes at a fairly low cost.
Useful Properties of Cactus Juice
The best properties of cactus juice include its ability to aid in
- weight loss efforts,
- ease digestion,
- relieve inflammation,
- lower blood pressure,
- relieve menstrual cramps,
- manage diabetes,
- reduce stress,
- improve cardiovascular health,
- reduce cancer risk,
- quickly eliminate hangovers.
Studies have shown that regular ingestion of cactus flowers juice can lead to a significant reduction of low-density cholesterol (bad LDL cholesterol), as well as fat deposition which is associated with the reduction in risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Weight Loss
Cactus flower juice is very low in calories, containing just 15 calories per glass of juice. Now that’s less than many people consume at breakfast! However, this juice also gives you a full feeling in your stomach and helps to prevent you from snacking on high-calorie junk food. This can aid your weight loss plan or help maintain a healthy weight. Cactus is rich in fiber, which helps with digestion so you don’t feel bloated after consuming this refreshing fruit juice.
Improves Digestion
This juice can be used as a remedy for gut problems on a daily basis by fighting off infections and notifying the immune system that there’s been a breach. It can be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and colitis by strengthening the physical barriers in your digestive tract so that nothing slips out without passing inspection.
This juice will also help with becoming regular again because it cleanses your colon and the entire digestive tract thus reducing mucus buildups that are causing you to be constipated as well as gas and bloating due to your colon being unable to process waste efficiently.
Controls Diabetes
Cactus is widely used as a diuretic due to the presence of pectin, which has blood sugar lowering qualities. Pectin can help control levels of insulin and glucose in the body. It also acts as an appetite suppressant, reducing your hunger overnight.
Prevents Cancer
Apart from containing Vitamin C, the Prickly Pear fruit also contains betalain, making it one of the healthiest foods in the world. Betalain has antioxidant properties that have been shown to prevent the development of cancer cells.
Reduces Blood Pressure
Cactus juice contains lots of potassium, which can lower blood pressure. The main benefit is that this will reduce the workload on your heart, helping to protect it from disease and injury. On top of that, cactus juice drinks are great at lowering blood sugar levels, making them wonderful for anyone suffering from diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent
If your health suffers from conditions such as arthritis, gout, inflammation of the intestines, headaches, and much more, then so does your life. Enjoying this juice will not only help you return to good health but it may also help you manage chronic pain and alleviate oxidative stress.
Cures Hangover
Whenever someone is participating in a binge drinking activity, they should consume cactus juice so that they can decrease the negative effects of a hangover. The juice will help get rid of the nasty and painful symptoms caused by excess alcohol in your body by absorbing the bad things away. In fact, many people consider cactus juice to give better hangovers than any other natural remedy.
Relieves Menstrual Cramps
Research shows that cactus juice can be extremely beneficial for women trying to cope with uncomfortable menstrual cramps. This juice has anti-spasmodic properties which calm the digestive tract, relieving much of the discomfort experienced during a period, as well as providing instant relief from stress and anxiety many women often encounter around this time of the month.
Reduces Stress Levels
One can use cactus juices to help reduce stress and anxiety. Cactus plants are known to have active ingredients that can lower stress hormones and calm your mind, helping you relax as well as enjoy better sleep at night.
Side Effects of Cactus flowers Juice
Cactus flower juice is a healthier and more nutritious alternative for smoothies, but it can have many short-term and long-term side effects. Here are some of the most important things you should know about cactus juice before drinking it:
Hangover. “While cactus juice is meant to help with hangovers, it may result in more severe symptoms for those who have sensitive stomachs or severe reactions to alcohol.”
Diabetes. People who already have low blood sugar levels should be aware of cactus sap, as it may cause them to fall into a dangerous state called hypoglycemia. This condition can lead to weakness, cognitive decline, and even fainting..
Stomach problems. Cactus flower juice may not be for everyone. Some common side effects could include nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.
Interaction with drugs. Drinking cactus juice is not recommended when on strong medications, because this can interfere with and reduce their effects. In fact, many experts have actually advised against consuming cactus juice at all due to its tendency to be toxic in some cases.
This is especially relevant for anyone who has existing health problems as a result of already drinking large amounts of juices that contain chemicals or elements your body may not be able to handle.
What Cactus Flower Juice Is Used For?
Cactus Flower Juice is a great drink for people of all ages and tastes. This drink is especially good for people looking to increase their energy.
Taste: Sweet and very refreshing.
Benefit: It increases your mood and energy levels by a lot. It will give you the fuel you need to get through a long day. It’s great for drinking for breakfast!
Some more points:
- It’s great for refreshment on a hot day.
- It’s very sweet tasting.
- It’s a great energy drink.
- You feel happier after drinking it.
- It has a refreshing Lemon smell.
- It’s very affordable.
Conclusion
Cactus flower juice has a lot of health benefits and adding it to your diet is one of the easiest ways to include a new health boost in your life.
Cactus flower juice has been used for centuries for the treatment of numerous ailments, especially for the relief of pain, based on its anti-inflammatory properties. Now you can easily make cactus flower juice at home.