What are the uses of the ball cactus? A detailed introduction
The ball cactus, commonly known as the grass ball and also called the long-blooming ball, is a perennial succulent herbaceous plant of the Cactaceae family. Its stem is spherical or oval and green, and its flowers grow among the clusters of spines along the vertical ribs. The ball cactus usually blooms in the early morning or evening, lasting from a few hours to one day. The ball cactus is a plant whose stem, leaves and flowers all have high ornamental value, and it is an artistic treasure among hydroponic flowers. The ball cactus has the effect of absorbing electromagnetic radiation, is also a natural air freshener, and also has the effect of adsorbing dust and purifying the air.
The ornamental value of the ball cactus
In the horticultural world, the spherical varieties among cactus plants are customarily called ball cacti; the ball cactus is a plant whose stem, leaves and flowers all have high ornamental value. Traditional ball cacti are planted in deserts, while hydroponic ball cacti bred through plant hydroponic mutagenesis technology allow you to admire both its tender white root system and the lovely little fish swimming among the roots, which is truly delightful. It is an artistic treasure among hydroponic flowers.
The health benefits of the ball cactus
The cactus is cold in nature and bitter in taste, and contains triterpenes, malic acid, succinic acid, potassium carbonate and other components. It has the effects of promoting the flow of qi and blood, nourishing and strengthening the stomach, and clearing heat and detoxifying. It can treat the following diseases:
1. Chilblains: Take a cactus, remove the spines, mash it into a paste, apply it to the affected area, bandage the outside with gauze, and remove the dressing after 5 consecutive days of application. This method is suitable for grade I to II chilblains (this method should not be used if the chilblains have already ulcerated).
2. Tenosynovitis: Choose a piece of cactus slightly larger than the affected area of the tendon sheath, remove the spines and hairs, then scrape off the epidermal layer on one side, apply it to the affected area, and secure it with medical adhesive tape. Replace it with a fresh cactus every other day; generally after several replacements, the swelling disappears on its own.
3. Mumps: Take an appropriate amount of fresh young cactus stems, remove the surface prickles and fine hairs, wash and mash them, spread them evenly on the swollen area below the ear, and secure with gauze. Change the dressing twice a day.
4. Burns and insect bites: Use a knife to scrape off the outer skin of the cactus, mash it and apply it to the wound, then disinfect and bandage to treat burns. Mash the whole plant to extract the juice and apply it to the affected area to treat snake and insect bites.
5. Stomach disease and acute bacillary dysentery: Take 1 to 2 liang of cactus root, stew it with pig tripe and eat it, which can treat stomach disease. Take 1 to 2 liang of fresh cactus, decoct it in water and take it to treat acute bacillary dysentery.
6. Acute mastitis: Remove the spines from the cactus and mash it, add 50 milliliters of 95% alcohol and mix well, apply externally to the local area, twice a day.
7. Diabetic foot: First clean the ulcer surface with hydrogen peroxide and normal saline, and remove necrotic tissue and purulent secretions. Then take 30 grams of fresh cactus, remove the skin and spines, mash it into a paste, apply it evenly to the affected area, and bandage with gauze. Change the dressing 2 to 3 times a day for 5 to 7 consecutive days.
A natural oxygen bar
Most plants carry out photosynthesis during the day, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen; at night they carry out respiration, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Some plants are the opposite. For example, the cactus releases carbon dioxide during the day and absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night. In this way, placing a cactus indoors at night can supplement oxygen and help with sleep. Do not underestimate the ball cactus, it is also a master at adsorbing dust! Placing a ball cactus indoors, especially a hydroponic ball cactus (because hydroponic ball cacti are cleaner and more environmentally friendly), can play a role in purifying the air.
Edible value
The edible ball cactus is a succulent plant of the Cactaceae family that grows in subtropical regions. It originated first in France in Europe, and at the end of the 18th century it once spread to Vietnam, and later, through Mong Cai, was introduced into the coastal areas of the Beibu Gulf in China, in the region of the Three Islands of the Jing ethnic group and the Shiwandashan area. After more than a hundred years of evolution, it has now formed a green health food with unique local characteristics——the edible ball cactus.