OroVerde® Authentic Nopal: Real Food - Real Medicine
Nopal Opuntia ssp., In English at times referred to and known as the Prickly Pear Cactus, is probably the most prolific and durable Nopal cactus genus in the succulent family. The Opuntia ssp. the original Nopal cactus, as discovered by the earliest civilizations in the mountains of Mesoamerica, were close variations of the currently consumed species Opuntia ficus-indica(1) This specific variety, the Nopal Opuntia ficus-indica, was consumed as vegetable or food and used as medicine as far back as 12,000 years ago in the area now known as Mexico. Now, due to the scientific investigations of Nopal in modern times, Nopal is rapidly gaining popularity throughout the world both as a food and medicinal plant.
The 300-plus Opuntia species that have been documented in botanical literature up to now, have all originated from this Mesoamerican Nopal Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) species. These varieties have all adapted to the various environments where the OFI was originally introduced by explorers, merchants and migrating wildlife.(1) Recent scientific evidence is showing that Nopal as the original species of Opuntia ficus-indica, cultivated in its original native environment - the high mountain volcanic region of Mexico - still remains the most bioactive and effective Nopal cactus plant species for nutritional and phyto-therapeutic applications.
BIO-GEOGRAPHY
As we have mentioned above, the Nopal Prickly Pear cactus, is originally native to the high altitude volcanic soil mountain sides of Mexico, where it is nourished by rich organic soils and mild semi-tropical climates. We mentioned the Morphological characteristics of the Nopal prickly Pear as well. Obviously, many genus of cactus are native to semi-arid desert climates and Nopal is highly adaptable to the harsh conditions.
The introduction of Nopal over many years to these harsh environments has occurred on many continents but it has been demonstrated that the resulting morphology of desert-adapted Nopal, is a dry slow-growing, spiny variant with significantly reduced nutritional value.
The gourmet vegetable variety of Nopal treasured throughout Mexico, where Nopal Opuntia ficus-indica has been a staple food for the past 12,000 years, is cultivated at 2,200 meters above sea level and higher. This high altitude is quite significant for several reasons, one of which is the higher phyto-nutrients production, specifically in the polyphenols content. This higher altitude phenomenon, resulting in higher polyphenols was demonstrated in a recent analysis of Nopal Opuntia ficus-indica. In the Nopal study, Nopal was shown to provide an excellent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in-vitro and in-vivo. The research indicated that the high altitude Nopal cactus polyphenols were in-part responsible for this activity. (2,3,5-14)
To explain the higher altitude phenomenon in Nopal we only need to look to nature. In nature, plants produce polyphenols to protect themselves from oxidation caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. These polyphenols actually provide similar antioxidant benefits in humans, when the plants are consumed as food. Thus, the high altitude mountain Nopal that is naturally exposed to significantly higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, stimulates the Nopal cactus to produce higher concentrations of polyphenols. This phenomenon has been scientifically proven. (4)
The high altitude environment is also a natural pest deterrent. Insects are less abundant at higher elevations and which helps indigenous high altitude Nopal farmers to produce a higher yield and healthier crop.
Desert Nopal receives little moisture and nutrient from the low organic content of desert soil, which produces slow-growing, thin, dry, nutrient deficient pads. In contrast high mountain Nopal grown in semi-tropical climate and rich volcanic soil produces thick, robust pads teeming with polysaccharides and phytonutrients. These optimum conditions promote rapid growth and nutrient assimilation from the soil, where the indigenous farmers use only organic compost as fertilizer.
The polysaccharide content is the major phytonutrient contribution and acts synergistically with the polyphenols, minerals and vitamins found in Nopal to provide the abundant health benefits being revealed by clinical science. The insoluble polysaccharides are generally in the form of structural fibers that improve digestion, blood sugar metabolism and tone while cleansing the colon and aiding the removal of waste. The soluble polysaccharides are composed of large, medium and short chain sugars and glycoproteins, which have a wide range of therapeutic effects including: immunomodulation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, blood lipid management and prebiotic activity. (2,3,5-14)
Ancient wisdom gained from thousands of years of intimacy with nature has chosen a Nopal with the optimum benefit to human kind. This Nopal comes from the sacred volcano mountainsides of central Mexico where the sun and rain come together to provide the perfect Nopal growing climate.
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