Cactus plants are native to tropical and subtropical continents of North and South America and some nearby islands, some of which grow in forests. Most species of succulents are native to South Africa, and only a few are distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of other continents, so South Africa is known as the "treasure house of succulents". From the origin and ecological environment, the above plants can be divided into three categories:

Native to tropical and subtropical arid areas or desert areas. Under the condition of extremely dry soil and air, it survives with the help of water stored in stems and leaves.

Originated in tropical and subtropical alpine arid areas. These areas are short of water, with strong sunshine, strong wind and low temperature. Succulent plants are short, and their leaves are mostly rosette-shaped, or densely covered with wax layer and fluff, so as to reduce the harm of strong wind and strong light in mountainous areas and reduce excessive transpiration.

Native to the tropical rain forest. These species do not grow in soil, but attach themselves to the rocks of tree trunks and shadow valleys. Its ecological habits are close to epiphytic orchids.

In the desert of "barren land", cactus can survive proudly and multiply endlessly: in the arid environment, cactus leaves degenerate into needles to reduce the evaporation of water; The stem is thick and juicy, and there are developed parenchyma cells to store rich water; The epidermis of the stem has thick and hard wax as a protective layer, or thick fluff to protect it from strong light and reduce water evaporation. Cactus has many branches and big roots, so it can absorb less rain. When it rains, it will grow many new roots on the topsoil and absorb a lot of water. Its big roots are protected by thick cork tissue, and it can survive in hot sand without dying. Some people have done experiments, and cactus still lives tenaciously without watering for 6 years. It is said that some big cacti can live for hundreds of years. The largest cactus in the world, with a height of 15- 18m, a diameter of 30-60cm and a weight of10t, can store thousands of kilograms of water. When pedestrians are thirsty, they can dig juicy stem meat at any time to quench their thirst.

Edible cactus is not only nutritious, but also has high medicinal value. Can be processed into a variety of health products, but also canned, beverages, wine-making excellent raw materials. There are many ways to eat cactus, such as frying, frying, frying, boiling, cold salad and so on. It is very popular in Europe, many African countries and Japan.

Generally speaking, the prickles of cactus plants are caused by the degeneration of leaves in order to resist drought and reduce water evaporation. This theory is obviously wrong. Observe the leaf cactus (Pereskia aculeata), one of the original species of cactus plants. Leaves and thorns are its organs, and leaves are born under thorns. When the leaves fall off, no new leaves will grow at the fallen leaves, but the thorns will not fall off. Branches over two years old have only thorns and no leaves. The palm cactus has a new palm, and its leaves have evolved into thick and short needle-like leaves, which also grow under thorns. When the palm grows thicker (usually the new palm grows for more than a month), the short needle-like leaves turn yellow and fall off, leaving only thorns on the palm. This shows that leaves and thorns are two different organs of cactus plants, and thorns are not degenerated leaves. Thorn is a self-defense weapon for cactus plants to prevent animals from swallowing it.

The medicinal method is to use the whole herb as medicine. It can be harvested all year round. Fresh or sliced and dried.

Functions: clearing away heat and toxic materials, removing blood stasis and swelling, invigorating stomach and relieving pain, and relieving cough. Used for gastric and duodenal ulcer, acute dysentery and cough; Externally used for treating parotitis, mastitis, carbuncle and furuncle, snake bite, burn and scald. Price: 3~ 10000? Yuan is different from a plant.

Bitter and cold in nature.

Usage and dosage: fresh1~ 2; Take a proper amount of fresh products for external use and apply them to the affected area.

Caution: Stings contain poisonous juice, which may easily cause allergic symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain and itching.

Alias: wind tail, dragon tongue, peaceful grass, fairy palm, Guanyin thorn.

Nature and taste: cold, bitter and astringent.

Meridian tropism: entering the heart, lungs and stomach.

Traceability of medical classics

"Seeking the Grassland": "Eliminate pimples at the beginning and wash hemorrhoids."

Guizhou folk prescription drug collection: "nourishing stomach and spleen, relieving cough and calming the nerves." Treat heart and stomach gas pain and snake edema. "

"Luchuan Materia Medica": "Anti-inflammatory and detoxifying, expelling pus and promoting granulation. The indications are sores, boils and coughs. "