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
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)alfalfa
aloe vera
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
black cohosh
black currant
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
cordyceps
damiana
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dog rose
dong quai root
eleuthero
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
fish oil
flaxseed
genistein
genistin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
knotweed
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
maca
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
pollen
pomegranate
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
soybean
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
wild yam
red clover
atractylodes
smilax
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
lingzhi
root tuber
dioscorea
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
anemarrhena asphodeloides
barrenwort
goji berry
amaranth
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
8-Prenylnaringenin
akebia
Antler
Achyranthes
Alchemilla
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Anemarrhena
Atractylone
Black Seed
Banyan
Bioflavonoids
Black root
Chinese Silkvine
Cohosh
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cynomorium
Crinum latifolium
DHEA
Danshen
Daidzein
Durian
Dong Quai
Elk antler
Evening Primrose
Isoflavones
Lotus
Prickly Pear Cactus
Rose
Rhubarb
Soy Protein
Vervain