This plant has various nutritious components that are believed to have amazing curative and preventive properties. It is highly nutritious and contains a unique vitamin and mineral profile; it is very high in fiber and is a natural source for ascorbic acid. Traditionally, prickly pear is medicinally used as an anti-inflammatory or a laxative and most recently it has been used in exercise recovery and hangover symptom reduction. The plant is richly suited in nutrients, which are known to help the pancreas, liver and prostrate and to maintain blood sugar balance.

Prickly pear, also referred to as nopal, has been present in Mexican traditions for centuries. It appears on the Mexican flag and the Mexican shield because as legend has it, the Aztecs were told by their gods to build a city on the spot where they found an eagle on a nopal eating a serpent; that is now Mexico City.

Prickly pear cactus is most commonly used for diabetes. Prickly pear cactus might lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels by decreasing the absorption of sugar and cholesterol in the stomach and intestine.