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Medical Information
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Opuntia Ficus Indica:
The Opuntia belongs to the Cacctea family, which originates in Central America from where
it was transferred to countries with tropic and sub-tropic climates, including Israel.
The uses of the Opuntia and its flower are numerous, depending on
the specific country and its folklore. In Central America, the stems
are used as an external treatment for the dysfunction of the liver,
skin problems and inflammation of the eyes. As a liquid it is drunk
for the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, worms and certain problems
of the digestive system. A decoction of the plant roots is used as
medicine for diarrhea and gonorrhea.
In India, the infusion of dry Opuntia flowers is used to alert urination.
In many countries, different species of the Opuntia and its various parts are used in healing
different and varied illnesses.
The Opuntia Flower has a high concentration of minerals such as: Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium,
Iron and Zinc. The zinc is vital to the normal function of the prostate gland.
The quantity of Zinc in the Opuntia Flower is 0.5 mg/100gr.
Among its other properties, Zinc was found to be highly absorbent of vitamins (mainly B-Complex).
It is a component in about 25 different enzymes in the metabolism and it is one of the insulin
components, essential in building the nuclear acids, etc.
With regards to the urinary system, it was found that the Opuntia Flower is especially effective
in treating different phenomena of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (in males over the age of 45),
such as high urgency and frequency in urinating, a feeling of the need to urinate, dribbling at
the end of urination, and the urgency to urinate more than twice during the night.
As for women, it was found that the Opuntia Flower is very effective in treating phenomena such
as the urgency and frequency in urinating, loss of control over the sphincters and recurring
inflammation of the urinary system. Altogether it provides better control of the function of urinary system.
In order to confirm the variety of the Opuntia Flower's activities
on the urinary system, a clinical
study was made by Dr. Levin at the Urological Clinic in the Soroka
Hospital in Beer - Sheva, Israel.
His study included 30 men, who had suffered varying disorders in the
urinary systems as an outcome of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. Each
man was instructed to take 2 capsules of the Opuntia Flower three
times for three months.
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Altogether a significant improvement in most
of the patients was found
In another study which was undertaken at the Agricultural Research
Center, dozens of men were given 1-2 capsules three times a day
(each capsule containing 350mg) for three months.
Most of the men showed a substantial improvement in the urgency
to urinate and the need to urinate a number of times during the
night. X-rays that were taken showed a definite reduction in the
size of the prosthetic gland.
During the time the Opuntia Flower has been on the market for treating
the urinary system, many patients reported on a significant improvement
in the function of the urinary system, and a significant overall
relief.
S.Shachar, Ph.D
April 1994
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