The ancient Aztecs were centuries ahead of their time. We know this from so many, many things. One very small area that they were advanced in was the use of the Prickly Pear Cactus as a food and medicine and even a religious symbol.
A prophet told the Aztecs that they would find their homeland when they spotted an eagle with a snake clutched in its claws. And the eagle would be perched on a Prickly Pear Cactus. The Aztecs wandered for years before they spotted this sign and once they did, they settled on that island.

Years later, when Spanish settlers first came to the Americas they also immediately recognized the value of the Prickly Pear Cactus and took some of the plants home with them where they know grow in Europe, as well.

The plant is a native of the Sonoran desert and thrives rampantly there. It also grows throughout the Americans.
For as long as we can tell, native Central and South Americans used the plant for food, drink, and medicine. It is still very popular to drink the cactus juice in its most primitive form, although the slimy green substance is truly an acquired taste.

It is worth drinking though, for it's special health properties. The cactus is a natural anti-oxidant and natural anti-inflammatory and is believed to help with everything from acne to diabetes.

Luckily for us, the plant is also made into a delicious juice that is much more palatable to most people.

Nopalea Juice is a beautiful sunset color and is smooth and rich. It is naturally sweetened with Agave nectar and also fortified and flavored with more than a dozen fruit concentrates and extracts, including apple and kiwi.

Best of all, hundreds, if not thousands, of people around the world have given testimonials to Nopalea's parent company, Trivita, about how drinking the juice has changed their lives.

According to these people, Nopalea has provided relief from chronic pain and suffering, including reducing swelling and helping with joint pain.

Testimonials gathered by Trivita show people suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, joint pain, migraines, sore muscles, stiff muscles, and many, many more ailments, have found relief by a regimen of drinking the juice.

Even the renowned and respected Dr. Oz has spoken of the benefits of the Prickly Pear Cactus.

On two different episodes of his show, he spoke of the benefits of the plant. In one episode, he named the Prickly Pear Cactus as one of the seven natural wonders of the world and spoke about how it can help people with diabetes. He did a demonstration on his show with an hourglass. He showed how the extremely dense and fibrous nature of the plant could help people with diabetes regulate blood sugar levels in their bodies.

In yet another episode, Dr. Mehmet Oz joked with comedian Jimmy Fallon how the Prickly Pear Cactus juice can help with the annoying symptoms of a hangover.

The juice is not only a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, but it is also a great way to hydrate the body.