INGREDIENT: 

Prickly pear seed oil

WHAT’S THE FANCY LATIN NAME? 

Opuntia ficus indica

WHERE DOES PRICKLY PEAR SEED OIL COME FROM?

Prickly pear seed oil is extracted from the seeds discovered within the fruit of the cactus—the brightly-colored, flowering bulbs that emerge from the flat pads throughout summer season and fall. The fruits are hand-gathered in a laborious (and really pokey) course of. The seeds are extracted, dried, and pressed to acquire the light-colored oil. The prickly pear is native to Mexico and South America. It slowly made its method to North America by touring via the digestive tracts of animals, although you might not wish to think about the main points of that journey. The cactus was then taken abroad and has now tailored to many various climates the world over. In reality, it has flourished to such a level in Australia that it’s thought of an environmentally invasive species there. At Osmia we use cold-pressed, licensed natural prickly pear seed oil from Tunisia.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRICKLY PEAR? 

Prickly pear is a nutrient-dense cactus that, regardless of being a bit dicey to organize, is eaten as a seasonal deal with in lots of cultures. It’s known as nopal in Latin delicacies. Prickly pear is an effective supply of a number of necessary vitamins, together with calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and betalains, the identical potent antioxidants present in beets. These vitamins could account for its alleged usefulness in stopping hangovers. The cactus is excessive in fiber, and is being studied in Sort II diabetes, as it could have some helpful impact on blood glucose in these sufferers.

WHAT ARE THE SKIN BENEFITS OF PRICKLY PEAR?

Prickly pear seed oil has the uncommon mixture of a light-weight texture with deep penetration, leaving the pores and skin extraordinarily delicate and velvety. It’s wealthy in tocopherols (vitamin E) and omega-6 fatty acids, each of which nourish and shield the pores and skin. Excessive ranges of vitamin Ok and zinc assist heal darkish spots and scars. The amino acids and antioxidants within the oil enhance pores and skin elasticity and look, particularly for dry or mature pores and skin varieties. Prickly pear seed oil is likely one of the most costly magnificence oils on the earth resulting from its technique of extraction and the large variety of seeds it takes to make even one ounce of the oil. No solvents are used, so the oil retains all its skin-enhancing vitamins. The prickly seed oil is mild yellow in shade, and is fast to soak up, leaving your pores and skin velvety delicate. Filled with pure tocopherols (Vitamin E), this oil is a potent antioxidant that helps enhance pores and skin elasticity and retain moisture. With a excessive proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-6, prickly pear seed oil proves highly effective in protecting pores and skin hydrated, plump, and glowy.

CAN I EAT PRICKLY PEAR?

Prickly pear has been a staple within the Mexican and Central American weight-reduction plan for 1000’s of years. The pads, the petals of the flower, and the fruit will be ready in many various culinary fashions. The pads style like inexperienced beans, whereas the fruit tastes extra like watermelon. The cheap, fiber-rich leaves discover their method into tacos and salads and bean dishes. 

FUN FACTS ABOUT PRICKLY PEAR 

• The prickly pear has a dramatic historical past, together with a legend that tells of an excellent cactus that grew from the guts of an Aztec warrior named Copil.
• Prickly pear was initially dropped at Australia by an enterprising captain who thought the plant would host hundreds of thousands of tiny bugs that, when crushed, may very well be used to make cochineal dye. The plant beloved Australia and have become a pest. The bugs didn’t like Australia, and died, together with the captain’s marketing strategy.
• The prickly pear plant is a hermaphrodite—who knew??
• Not the funnest reality: it hurts to sit down on a prickly pear. I do know this because the gospel reality. There are images to show it.
  

 With love and a superbly prickly pear, 

The data contained on this submit is for instructional curiosity solely and isn’t meant to symbolize claims for actions of prickly pear. This info isn’t meant for use for prognosis or therapy of any bodily or psychological sickness or illness