Prickly Pear Cactuses have an important place in the history of Mexico, so much so that they appear on the national flag. Cultivation is thought to have started about 5,000 years ago. Before Christopher Columbus' arrival, prickly pears were, along with Maize, one of the main food resources for Amerindians. The plant was
introduced into Europe during the 16th Century by the Spanish conquistadors returning from the New World.
Pad extract is traditionally used as a poultice to soothe skin inflammation and insect bites or stings, especially tarantula bites. The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V is said to have been cured of a severe disease in a few weeks by applying nopal to his ulcers. Pad succus is also said to help stimulate hair growth.
Both flowers and fruits are often used as anti-diarrhoeic. In southern Europe and North Africa, the Cactus is used to grow impassable live fences. Traditionally, Arab people plant these cactuses around their homes for example. Thornless varieties also exist, which are used as fodder for cattle.
Preparami ER has been shown to boost the cell defense by stimulating the HSP (Heat Shock Proteins) and improve cell resistance to UV rays by evaluating keratinocytes viability. It has also demonstrated to reducevthe the SA-ß-galactosidase activity thus slowing down cellular ageing. Finally the activation of PPARα (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors) synthesis help to accelerate the repairing process of skin.
INCI name
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (and) Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
