Prickly Pear Cactus aka Barbary Fig Seed Oil aka Jamaica Tuna
Hi All,
This year, 2014, I have fallen head over heels in love with Jamaican Tuna (coastal prickly pear) also known in other parts of the world as Prickly Pear, Indian Fig and Barbary Fig. The two most common species in Jamaica are Opuntia littoralis and Opuntia ficus-indica species. I remember a large one in our family's garden when I was growing up. It originally comes from the Southeastern United States, Mexico and South America, however it now grows in Jamaica, other parts of the Caribbean and throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. Both the fruit and the leaves of the prickly pear cactus are used as herbal remedies in Jamaica and many other countries. The cacti grow well in arid conditions and red oval fruit is produced by the cactus and is referred to as tuna.
In Jamaica this plant is used to wash the hair but it can be used for hair skin and nails. Most of the information about this plant is anedotal, but older generations swear by tuna (or prickly pear) to wash hair. It contains numerous small black seeds from which the precious Prickly Pear Seed Oil is extracted.
I have dry afro hair and very dry skin and I have been using this gorgeous light oil as a natural moisturiser. It is a very versatile oil which absorbs easily and quickly into the skin and improves skin elasticity. The variety I have been using is the Opuntia ficus-indica. Prickly Pear Seed Oil is one of the most expensive beauty oils in the world due to the labor intensive and time consuming (up to four days) process to produce 34oz. of oil from 60 lbs. of seeds (and a half a ton of fruits).
Prickly Pear Cactus aka Barbary Fig Seed Oil available in the UK
Prickly Pear Seed Oil has a high concentration of Vitamin E (strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties) and essential fatty acids, Linoleic Acid or Omega 6. This oil contains more Tocopherol than any other oil available in the beauty care market (almost 150% more Tocopherol than Argan oil). Prickly Pear Seed Oil nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, tightens pores, has been known to prevents premature aging and wrinkles formation, brightens dark spots and under-eye shadows.
Also New to the range Our Caribbean Coconut Nourishing Shampoo & Hair Treatment Mask with Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity!
Leilu
Sources:
Guillaume, D. & Charrouf, Z. (2011). Argan Oil. Alternative Medicine Review
http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/16/3/275.pdf
Official Laboratory for Chemical Analysis and Research, Casablanca, Morocco
http://www.livestrong.com/article/557601-health-benefits-of-the-jamaican-tuna-plant
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