Evidence supporting the use of: Prickly Pear Cactus
For the health condition: Menopause
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia species) has a long history of traditional use in various cultures, particularly in Mexico and the southwestern United States, mainly for its nutritional value and for supporting metabolic health. Its use for menopause, however, is primarily based on tradition and anecdotal reports rather than robust scientific validation. Some traditional medicine practitioners suggest prickly pear may help alleviate certain menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes or mood swings, due to its purported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is a lack of clinical studies directly investigating prickly pear cactus for menopause symptom relief. The available scientific literature mainly addresses its effects on blood sugar regulation, lipid metabolism, and inflammation rather than hormonal changes or menopausal symptoms. As such, the evidence for its effectiveness in supporting menopause is very limited, largely anecdotal, and not well-established in peer-reviewed research. Thus, while prickly pear cactus is sometimes used traditionally for menopause, its effectiveness remains unproven by modern scientific standards.
Other ingredients used for Menopause
27-deoxyactein7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Achyranthes
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Akebia
Alchemilla
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
amaranth
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
antler
Ashoka
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
banyan
barrenwort
bee pollen
bioflavonoids
black cohosh
black currant
black root
black seed
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese silkvine
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
cordyceps
Crinum latifolium
Cynomorium
daidzein
damiana
danshen
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
dog rose
dong quai
dong quai root
durian
eleuthero
elk antler
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
Euryale seed
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
Ficus religiosa
fish oil
flaxseed
fo-ti
genistein
genistin
Glycetein
goji berry
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
horny goat weed
Hypericum
Indian frankincense
isoflavones
jujube
knotweed
kudzu
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
lemon balm
licorice root
lignans
linden
lingzhi
Loranthus
lotus
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
Marine lipid
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
Phytoestrogens
pollen
Polygonum
pomegranate
Prickly Pear Cactus
Puerain
Pulsatilla
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhubarb
rockweed
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
rose
rose oil
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
rue
saffron
sage
seaweed
smilax
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Stone Root
Valerian root
Vervain
Viburnum
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Wild yam
Withanolides
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
