(American) Resembling the spiny plant Caktus
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Selenicereus grandiflorus. Night-blooming cereus. German: Kaktus. French: Cactier. Spanish: Cactus. Italian: Cacto. Dried or fresh flowers.
Constituents: alkaloids, flavonoids.
Action: cardiac stimulant, increasing force of the heart beat. Central nervous system stimulant. Tonic to sympathetic nervous system. Increases size of the heart-beat and reduces its frequency. Not an emergency agent such as Digitalis; requires time for action. Not a depressant.
Uses: Heart weakness with low blood pressure and valvular insufficiency. Rapid pulse with loss of body strength. “Chest held in a vice”. Unstable angina or coronary disease. Numbness of left arm. Relieves difficult breathing or congestion of the lungs of heart causation. As it has no known side-effects it enables heart sufferers to face the world with renewed confidence. Aneurism. Cholesterolised arteries, arteritis (temporal), heart murmur. Sexual neurasthenia, masturbation palpitation. Secondary prophylaxis following myocardial infarction.
Preparations: Thrice daily.
Tea. 2-3 flowers to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Dose, one-third to half a cup. Liquid Extract: 1-8 drops.
Combination: Action is enhanced by addition of Motherwort and Oatstraw (equal parts). Tincture of Cereus, BPC 1934: dose 0.12 to 2ml (2-30 drops) in water.
Opuntia series, native of Mexico. Differs from Selenicereus (night-blooming cactus) of the West Indies.
Action: Astringent, haemostatic.
Uses: Irritable bowel, mucous colitis, prostatitis.
Preparations: Thrice daily.
Tea: 2-3 dried or fresh flowers to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Dose, half-1 cup. Liquid Extract. 5-15 drops.
Opuntia speciesDescription: This cactus has flat, padlike stems that are green. Many round, furry dots that contain sharp-pointed hairs cover these stems.Habitat and Distribution: This cactus is found in arid and semiarid regions and in dry, sandy areas of wetter regions throughout most of the United States and Central and South America. Some species are planted in arid and semiarid regions of other parts of the world.Edible Parts: All parts of the plant are edible. Peel the fruits and eat them fresh or crush them to prepare a refreshing drink. Avoid the tiny, pointed hairs. Roast the seeds and grind them to a flour.CAUTIONAvoid any prickly pear cactus like plant with milky sap.Other Uses: The pad is a good source of water. Peel it carefully to remove all sharp hairs before putting it in your mouth. You can also use the pads to promote healing. Split them and apply the pulp to wounds.... prickly pear cactus
Cereus speciesDescription: These cacti are tall and narrow with angled stems and numerous spines.Habitat and Distribution: They may be found in true deserts and other dry, open, sunny areas throughout the Caribbean region, Central America, and the western United States.Edible Parts: The fruits are edible, but some may have a laxative effect.Other Uses: The pulp of the cactus is a good source of water. Break open the stem and scoop out the pulp.... cereus cactus
Mammilaria speciesDescription: Members of this cactus group are round, short, barrel-shaped, and without leaves. Sharp spines cover the entire plant.Habitat and Distribution: These cacti are found throughout much of the desert regions of the western United States and parts of Central America.Edible Parts: They are a good source of water in the desert.... pincushion cactus
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