Evidence supporting the use of: Cactus
For the health condition: Colitis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cactus species, most notably Opuntia (prickly pear) and Nopalea, have been used in traditional medicine systems in the Americas to support gut health and treat digestive issues, including colitis. The rationale in traditional use often centers on the mucilaginous (gel-like) content of cactus pads, which are thought to soothe the gastrointestinal tract and reduce inflammation. Some ethnobotanical records document the use of cactus preparations for gastrointestinal complaints, and traditional healers sometimes recommend cactus for colitis symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.

However, clinical evidence specifically supporting cactus for colitis is limited. Preclinical studies have shown that certain cactus extracts possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which could be beneficial in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases. For example, animal studies have demonstrated reduced colonic inflammation and oxidative stress with cactus supplementation. Nevertheless, human studies are lacking, and there are no well-controlled clinical trials directly establishing efficacy in colitis patients. The traditional use is thus supported by plausible mechanisms and some basic research, but not by robust clinical validation.

In summary, while cactus is traditionally used to support colitis and related digestive conditions, and there is some basic scientific rationale, the overall strength of evidence is low and further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

More about cactus
More about Colitis

Other ingredients used for Colitis

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Akkermansia muciniphila
Alchornea
Algae
algal oil
Aloe vera
Amor seco
anamu
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anthocyanins
apigenin
apple
apple cider vinegar
astaxanthin
Asteraceae
astragalin
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bael
barberry
Basidiomycota
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black nightshade
blackboard tree
blueberry
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bromelain
buckthorn
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cabbage
cactus
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
Clostridium butyricum
colocynth
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
diterpenes
Euphorbia
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonols
Frangula
fucoidan
gallic acid
garlic bulb
ginger
Glycomacropeptides
Glycyrrhetinic acid
green tea
Guava
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Humic acid
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kefir
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
licorice root
Mucilage
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nimbidin
Oligosaccharides
Osthole
Oxymatrine
Patrinia
Pediococcus acidilactici
Peptides
phlorotannins
picrorhiza kurroa
Plantago
plantain
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
quercetin
resveratrol
Rhus coriaria
rosmarinic acid
Saccharomyces boulardii
Scabrous Gentian
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slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Swertia
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tributyrin
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xanthium (cockleburs)
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Products containing cactus

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.