Health Benefits of Barbary fig

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Barbary fig Quick Facts
Name: Barbary fig
Scientific Name: Opuntia monacantha
Origin South America – Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil
Colors Yellow to reddish purple
Shapes Obovoid, 5–7.5 × 4–5 cm
Flesh colors Reddish
Scientifically known as Opuntia monacantha  has other common names such as Barbary fig, Cochineal Fig, Barbary Fig, Cochineal Prickly-Pear, Common Prickly Pear, Indian Fig, Drooping Prickly Pear, Prickly Pear, Drooping pear, Drooping tree pear, Smooth tree pear, Smooth-leaf tree pear, Spiny prickly pear and Spreading prickly pear. It belongs to family Cactaceae and usually grown in tropical and subtropical regions. It is cultivated under restricted growth conditions which are not suitable for the growth of other fruits and vegetables. It is inherent to South America- Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. It is widely introduced and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Opuntia monacantha   is a fast growing shrubby or tree like cactus which reaches to the height of 20 feet with short trunk upto 8 inches in diameter. The stem segments are oblong to obovate which is tapered towards the base, has irregular margin upto 12 inches long and 5 inches wide. Spines are slender, brown, grey and unequal upto 1.6 inches long. Flowers are yellow to deep orange-brown having reddish outer perianth segments upto 3 inches and 4 inches wide. Fruits are reddish purple, pear shaped upto 3 inches long and 2 inches in diameter.

Plant description

The shrub is erect, succulent with shallow fibrous roots but can reach 4 meters. Stems are grey green to light green. The one main stem is woody at base having many side branches which is made up of fleshy, glossy green, jointed, obovate, oblong or oblanceolate segments upto 45 cm long by 15 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick. Leaves are small and scale like form beneath areoles. Flowers are 6 cm in diameter borne on margins of segments. Fruits are obovoid, 5–7.5 × 4–5 cm and green which turns yellow to reddish purple. Seeds are smooth, irregularly elliptic, 4 × 3 mm, pale brown which is embedded in reddish and pulpy flesh.

Medicinal uses

It is used to treat diabetes, bronchial asthma, burns and indigestion.

Culinary uses

It is used in jellies, juices, teas, candies, alcoholic drinks.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=504041#null

https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/opuntia_monacantha.pdf

https://worldofsucculents.com/opuntia-monacantha-drooping-prickly-pear/

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The information on this website is only for learning and informational purposes. It is not meant to be used as a medical guide. Before starting or stopping any prescription drugs or trying any kind of self-treatment, we strongly urge all readers to talk to a doctor. The information here is meant to help you make better decisions about your health, but it's not a replacement for any treatment your doctor gives you. If you are being treated for a health problem, you should talk to your doctor before trying any home remedies or taking any herbs, minerals, vitamins, or supplements. If you think you might have a medical problem, you should see a doctor who knows what to do. The people who write for, publish, and work for Health Benefits Times are not responsible for any bad things that happen directly or indirectly because of the articles and other materials on this website www.healthbenefitstimes.com