History

The cultural significance of the plant dates back to the Aztecs who worshipped the cacti gods. Large temples were built for them and human sacrifices were made. The Indians developed a worshipping tradition for the so-called Peyote (Lophophora williamsii). This plant contains mescaline that induces strange hallucinations, but it also has several unpleasant side effects and generally leaves the user with a hangover. The role of Peyote as a god has had an important impact on rituals.

Some useful applications of the plant for man:

Replaces wood in construction and as fuel. The demarcation of plots of land with Opuntia and fast-growing Cereus used as dense hedges. Cochenilleluis is cultivated on Opuntia to produce a very expensive, bright red dye. A product is extracted from Selenicereus grandiflorus (Queen of the Night), which is used to treat heart conditions.

Cacti are also grown for food:

The fruits of the Opuntia and many Cereus are grown for eating and this is also the case for the berries of the Mytillocactus and Echinocereus, for example. The Ferocactus is used for fruit preserves and jam. Even beer is brewed from cacti in the Western world.

Note that the cacti you can find at the florist’s shop, garden centre or supermarket cannot be used for these purposes.