Useful substances are found in a wide variety of plants that can be used for the benefit of man: used for the treatment and prevention of diseases, as well as used for the preparation of cosmetics. Not everyone is aware of some plants and areas of their application. For example, what is prickly pear oil, what are its properties and uses.
Characteristics and properties
Prickly pear belongs to cacti. It is found in different countries with a warm climate, and in Russia it can be found in the Caucasus and the Crimea. This cactus is grown specifically because of its seeds. They are the raw material for the manufacture of oil.
This plant is called the prickly pear. The main countries where it is cultivated are South America, Mexico and Morocco. Fruits have long been used as a remedy, and the oil was called precious. It was made by squeezing seeds from the manual method. And until now, oil is considered one of the most expensive products used in the manufacture of cosmetics. Since the fat in the seeds is extremely low, you need a huge amount of seeds to prepare at least a few grams of this miraculous elixir. To produce one liter of oil, it takes about five hundred kilograms of cactus fruit. So you can imagine the extent of its value. Sometimes, in order to reduce the price of the finished product, other, less expensive ones are added to the opuntia cactus oil, which reduces its valuable properties.
This plant and oil obtained from its seeds are unique because of the content of linoleic acid in the composition, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the body and is successfully used in cosmetology, providing the skin with beneficial substances, thereby helping to prolong youth. In addition, they contain vitamins E, F, A, C and BB groups.
Application in cosmetology
The oil of this type of cactus has found wide application in cosmetology. In addition to the rejuvenating effect, it helps to protect the skin from the sun's rays, helps prevent the appearance of age spots. The overall effect on the skin is expressed in the fact that small wrinkles disappear, the skin becomes more elastic, looks fresher.
If the skin is burned in the sun, the oil can act as an anti-burn agent. It will ease the pain and contribute to faster healing.
Prickly pear oil is successfully used in hair care. If you rub it regularly in the scalp, you can achieve improved hair growth, they will become stronger, less will fall out. In addition, it is used to revitalize dull, brittle and dry hair. Due to its properties, the hair will remain moist longer.
Use as a supplement to the usual cream or mask will bring tangible results. To do this, you can simply add a few drops of oil to your night or day cream and apply it on your face, neck, and décolleté area. Plus, oil is used as a cleansing agent, demonstrating good results in combating acne. It can also be added to factory and homemade scrubs, or you can simply wipe your face with a cotton pad moistened with oil.
You can add it to shampoos, balsams, hair masks, which will only enhance their effect. If you suffer from dandruff, it is enough to rub the oil into the scalp, while it does not need to distribute it over the entire length of the hair. If the ends of the hair are strongly split, you can also treat them with oil in its pure form. The result will be noticeable immediately.
Reviews of consumers who used prickly pears as hair masks, as well as face creams confirm the fact that the effect is obvious: the skin looks noticeably better, it becomes more moisturized, rested, irritation and redness disappear; hair gets shine and much less fall out, it is possible to get rid of dandruff. But at the same time, many note that this should not be a one-time action - a regular basis is obligatory. Only then will it be possible to improve the condition of the skin and hair.
If we talk about the shortcomings, the main thing is that the tool is not cheap. In its pure form, it is expensive to use it, but it is quite possible to add it as a component to other means. Another point that must be taken into account is the individual characteristics of the organism. Therefore, first you need to check if there is an allergy to the drug. To do this, just put a drop of the composition on hand. If within an hour no reaction has come, then everything is in order.
Use in medicine
With regard to medical use, the oil of opuntia has found its use in the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract. It helps to normalize the liver, kidneys, gallbladder.
Successfully used the tool in the treatment of colds. It has anti-inflammatory and immunological effects, as well as it is added to the composition of syrups from wet cough, made both by the pharmaceutical industry and at home.
Good compositions with the content of this oil and for those who suffer from diabetes. They help maintain optimal blood sugar levels and normalize carbohydrate metabolism in the body, causing the pancreas to work properly.
Some nutritionists recommend their patients drugs that include prickly pear oil., in order to reduce the fat entering the body, and the normalization of metabolism. In addition to the fact that the tool has a good effect on the metabolism, it also does not allow fat to be absorbed. Thus, you can bring your body in order and lose those extra pounds, if you follow the correct diet and regular use of oil.
If in life there are regular and active sports or hard physical labor, prickly pear will help to restore strength, provide the body with energy, and also affect the mood in a positive way.
There is an opinion of experts that the prickly pear oil perfectly influences the cardiovascular system, helps to maintain the vessels in proper condition, improving the blood supply in the body, maintaining the brain in good condition, stimulating memory, eliminating headaches.
Experts recommend using this tool in order to restore a comfortable psychological state, and this can be done in different ways. Effectively soothe the nervous system of the bath with the addition of oil. To do this, add a few drops and soak in such water for half an hour.
You can make a rejuvenating composition. To do this, in a liter of milk, you need to add two tablespoons of sea salt, one tablespoon of honey and a few drops of cactus oil. All this is poured into the bathroom and enjoy for half an hour a rest and a nice relaxing bath.
This oil is also used in relaxation massage, having a great effect on the nervous system and at the same time caring for the skin. Aromatherapy sessions using opuntia oil are also possible.
Patient reviews confirm that there is an effect, especially with regard to the relaxing and soothing effects on the body. As for losing weight, as noted by those who used the composition, in addition to it, in any case, should go at least a little physical activity and proper nutrition.If there are doubts about the choice with a view to recovery, it is better to consult with a specialist who will help you make the right decision.
The use of prickly pear oil can be found in the video below.