Prickly pear (rakèt)
Opuntia ficus-indica
Prickly pear
rakèt
Raquette
Opuntia ficus-indica
Traditionally used
Diabetes, blood sugar, cholesterol, hangover, digestion, inflammation, skin
Prepared as
Pad juice: remove spines, blend pad flesh, strain, drink 100ml daily for blood sugar and cholesterol. Pad poultice: remove spines, split pad, apply gel side to burns and wounds. Flower tea: steep 3 flowers in hot water 10 minutes for inflammation. Fruit eaten fresh for antioxidants. Mucilage from cooked pad drunk for digestive soothing and constipation relief.
In three languages
Kreyòl — Dyabèt, siwo nan san, kolestewòl, gwo tèt apre bwè, difikilte pou dijere, enflamasyon, maladi po
Français — Diabète, glycémie, cholestérol, gueule de bois, digestion, inflammation, affections cutanées
Safety
Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.
Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.
Kept alongside