Uses of Cactus

The cactusThey are a type of succulent plants that are characterized by accumulating large amounts of water in their stems, roots and leaves, which allows them to endure long periods of time without liquid.

For many people, these types of plants, in addition to being fascinating and beautiful, have different uses and utilities.

What are cacti for?

If you have a cactus at home, or you are thinking of acquiring one, you should know that these are not just a plant. They can also be many more things. Therefore, below we want to give you a series of options that you can do with them. Surely more than one you did not know.

Ornamental plant

It is quite common to see these types of plants as part of the decoration of many homes and gardens, especially those in warm and temperate areas. Cacti will look great if they are placed on rockeries with a ground covered by gravel. In the same way inside the home they can be found in a pot and enjoyed during the winter seasons and low temperatures.

Defensive hedges

For a long time, this type of plant has been cultivated to protect certain places for its thorny and impenetrable hedges.

Medical uses

Like many other plants, cacti also have medicinal and healing benefits. For example, many Opwuntia, like Opuntia ficus-indica, have diuretic properties.

We have another example in the Pereskia lychnidiflora, whose flowers, with leaves, produce an amber-colored gum that can be used to treat respiratory diseases. And its infusion (from the leaves) serves as a treatment for kidney stones, liver problems or even conjunctivitis.

Make furniture

The wood of some cacti is generally used for manufacture of furniture and other types of frameworks.

Specifically, of the cactus species, the one used with this use are the Cylindrical points, whose wood is used for the fireplace. But you also have another, the Trichocereus pasacana which is the one that does allow furniture to be made with that wood.

Food

Did you know that cacti are food? Well, in this case we must clarify that it is not really that you are going to eat a cactus by peeling it, but it is many of them bear fruit and are edible, so you could end up with a plant that bears fruit several times a year and thus feed on them.

Examples of what we say? Well, the prickly pears, garambullos or tunas. In fact, there are many more. For example, him opuntia prickly pear It has young shoots that, if you cut them, you can eat them and they will taste like vegetables. On the other hand, the Opuntia streptacantha also bears very rich fruits, and the Opuntia leukotricha Not only is it an ornamental plant, but its fruits, if you eat them, will seem like a mix between a peach and a lemon.

Another may be the cactus Hylocereus undatus which is where a fruit that is increasingly known comes from, the pitaya, a red fruit with a delicious strawberry flavor.

Cattle feed

In addition to serving you as food for the fruits or even the shoots, you should know that another of the uses of cacti is to serve as food for livestock. Specifically, we are talking about the species Opuntia. Many of those cacti lack thorns and their shovels are perfect to feed the animals.

Of course, be careful when choosing it since you have to make sure that they really do not have thorns.

Like flour

In the market we can find many types of flour, right? But the safest thing is that you would not think that cactus flour could exist. And yet it does happen. Although it is not very well known.

In fact, it is the indigenous tribes in the southeastern United States who know that, of the seeds of giant carnegia you can get flour. Of course, it is a kind of very, very slow growth, but when it manages to bear fruit, the seeds can be transformed into that flour.

As padding for mattresses and cushions

No, don't worry, we are not telling you to take the cactus, break it into pieces and put it on the mattress or on a cushion, more than anything because the thorns they have will not let you rest easy, nor will you be able to be comfortable.

But the truth is that there are species like Pilosocereus o Cephalocereus of which the fibers so much to weave as to make those fillings that we have told you about.

Fertilizer

You already know that many plants can easily be compost for others. And in the case of cacti this is common. In fact, they are a perfect organic compost for the earth.

Dye

Again we go to the cactus of the species Opuntia since these are perfect for harboring insects from which a purple dye can later be extracted with which to dye clothes. One of those insects, and perhaps the most widely used, is the nopai or grana mealybug.

Industrial use

Believe it or not, there are several types of cactus that are widely used in the industry. This is because through them you can obtain mucilage, gums and pectins, highly appreciated elements for industrial use.

Cosmetics

We cannot tell you specific creams that have cacti, but it is known that another of their uses is cosmetics, usually for creams, lotions, etc.

In Feng Shui

For Feng Shui, the cactus is the "guardian of the home", is a plant that balances and at the same time protects those who live in the home. They recommend that it be placed in a workplace, such as an office or kitchen, but not in bedrooms, living rooms or bathrooms.

Also, if you put it next to a window it will help to drive out negative energies. And at the front door he will be in charge of attracting good luck.

Cactus properties

The reason why cacti are used for multiple uses is related to their properties. And is that the cactus, when consumed, provides a series of benefits, such as:

Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar

This is due to the fiber that pectin already has. It has a texture similar to gelatin and what it does inside is, on the one hand, fill you up earlier, with what you eat less.

But it is also in charge of capture and eliminate cholesterol and blood sugar slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates.

Provides healthy minerals

We are talking about potassium, sodium, magnesium, vitamins (specifically A and C), calcium ... That is why it is quite nutritious and helps balance the whole organism.

Avoid cardiovascular diseases and cancer

This is due to phenolics and flavonoids, two compounds that are antioxidants and are responsible for maintaining healthy cells.

Ideal for diets

And it is because, for every 100 grams of cactus, you will get 16 calories. That is why it is also used as a weight loss food.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Both in the cardiovascular system and in the arteries and the gastrointestinal tract. Because it is packed with quercetin, this element neutralizes what damages cells and protects them at the same time that alleviates the problems that you may be suffering.

Air purifier

It is one of the plants that purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and transforming it into oxygen. That is why it is said that it can be in the rooms where we sleep or where we spend more time.

Do they serve as a barrier against electromagnetic radiation?

It is said that placing them near the computer screen, or the laptop, is a good thing, because they will capture the radiation emitted by technological devices. However, for them to really work, the location of the cactus should be in front of the screen, which then disables you from using the computer. Even if you put it to one side, if it is not in front it will not be able to absorb these radiations (because it has no attraction on them).

Do you know more uses of cacti?