The tuna plant, aka prickly pear, is a potent local treatment from Jamaica for back pain caused by muscle spasms, slipped discs, and pinched nerves. It’s even useful for headaches and stomach ailments.
While there is limited scientific research into this plant, we now know that there are many compounds responsible for the potency found in its flowers, fruit, flesh, and seeds. These compounds include polyphenols, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, and these are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Tuna is rich in vitamin C, as well as vitamin A and vitamin B, and these give it extra nutritional benefits. It’s rich in minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorous, great for bones and joints. Prickly pear is rich in fibre and is good for digestion and helps your stomach feel fuller. It also contains a number of fatty acids and various compounds like chlorogenic acids. Chlorogenic acid is now being researched for its effect on drastic weight loss.
The most dramatic benefit I saw was with a patient I had who had a slipped disc—proven on MRI— and was recommended for surgery. He couldn’t afford surgery, and so he turned to his local remedy. Within two weeks of usage, his pain that had been there for months was completely gone, and he has remained pain-free for the last year. This is not a unique case. I have seen many such cases of patients who have recovered from back pain known to be caused by a slipped disc and have remained pain-free long-term.
HOW TO USE IT?
There are many ways:
1. Cut into pieces and soak overnight, up to 24 hours, and drink the liquid. This contains all the nutrients.
2. You could slice it in two and make a tea by steeping it in hot water.
3. Make juice from the fruits or the flowers, and this is a potent painkiller for all types of pain.
The tuna plant is one of Jamaica’s best-kept secrets for pain and is one of the easiest things for me to recommend because there are almost no side effects that we have observed.
Try it for any pain you have, especially back pain. Tell me about your results.
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Dr. Orlando Thomas is a physician who is also trained in functional medicine. Email us at freedomcomerain@gmail.com
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