What is ora-pro-nobis
A pereskia aculeatapopularly known as ora-pro-nobis, is a very rare climbing cactus. Rustic and perennial, it develops well both in shade and in sunny environments and is widely used in hedges.
The plant bears flowers and fruits, which are edible yellow berries, and is used in the production of honey. Your consumption is extremely nutritious and beneficial to immunity, as the species offers minerals such as manganese, magnesium, iron, calcium, as well as vitamin C and fiber. Ora-pro-nóbis also has a high protein content and makes up a type of greenish flour that enriches pasta and cakes.
Because it is very nutritious, it also earned a nickname: poor man’s meat. Reports suggest that when meat was in short supply, less favored people resorted to the plant for food. Pereskia aculeata is part of the Pancs – unconventional food plants. But, as it is not included in the production chains, it is rare to find it at fairs or markets.
Do you want to know more about the origin of the species, what is ora-pro-nobis used for, its benefits and how to cultivate it? Continue reading our article:
plant origin
Shall we start with the etymology of the word? The genus Pereskia makes reference to the French botanist Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc, and the term aculeata (from the Latin ăcŭlĕus, ‘needle’ or ‘thorn’) means “endowed with thorns”.
The term “ora-pro-nóbis” has a popular origin: in the past, the Minas Gerais churches used the plant for natural protection in living fences, thanks to its thorns and the height of its bushes, which reach up to 10 meters in height. “Ora-pro-nóbis” means “pray for us”, and is part of the prayers addressed to Our Lady.
It is believed that some faithful used to pick its leaves and fruits while the priest delivered sermons in Latin, a customary tradition from the past. There are those who think, on the other hand, that the refrain “Ora pro nobis” was repeated with each invocation during the prayer of a litany in a priest’s backyard.
Anyway, the plant is native to the American continent and has a wide distribution, from the United States to Argentina. In Brazil, it is present in evergreen forests in the states of Maranhão, Ceará, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro.
Benefits of ora-pro-nobis
Edible, the plant presents various benefits to human health – in colonial times, it was frequent at tables in the region of Minas Gerais. In the city of Sabará, in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, a festival dedicated to the plant has been held for over 20 years.
Nowadays, however, its nutritional power has spread throughout Brazil and now ora-pro-nobis is cultivated even at home.
its leaves are rich in fiber and protein and can be consumed in salads, soup, or mixed with rice. In its composition, there are essential amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan, fibers, minerals such as phosphorus, calcium and iron and vitamins C, A and complex B, which makes it very popular among fans of a varied and sustainable diet.
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Due to the high fiber content, consumption of the plant helps in gut health. Each 100 grams of fresh leaf contains 4.88 g of fiber — the flour version has 39 g of fiber in a 100 g portion.
The intake of these fibers, coupled with water throughout the day, regularizes the body for regular trips to the bathroom to defecate. This minimizes the risk of constipation, polyp formation, hemorrhoids and even tumors. Fiber also promotes satiety, which is important to avoid overeating.
In addition, Panc has bioactive and phenolic compounds which, within our body, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. This contributes to DNA regeneration and cancer prevention. The tea made from the leaves of the plant also has a depurative function and can help in inflammatory processessuch as cystitis and ulcers.
You babies can also benefit from the qualities of ora-pro-nobis. Green leaves, rich in vitamin B9 (folic acid), help prevent fetal malformation. But it’s important that pregnant women talk to their doctor before consuming it to understand how to adjust their personal routine.
for counting on vitamin C in its composition, the plant also strengthens the immune system, preventing opportunistic diseases. Together with vitamin A, also present in the species, the substance prevents premature aging and promotes eye health.
Finally, ora-pro-nobis also has calcium and magnesium, important for cardiovascular health, bones and joints, intestines and brain.
How to grow ora-pro-nobis at home
To begin with, seedlings are not found in conventional centers, but in nurseries or organic product fairs. To grow it at home, understand that it is a vine species. Therefore, choose large vases and support her with stakes in the groundwith enriched soil with organic matter.
Once rooted, you can transplant it to a permanent location. Its development, when propagated by cuttings, is slow in the first months, but, after the formation of the roots, it has a very accelerated growth.
It is a plant that needs full sun because it is part of the cactus family. If you live in an apartment, position it near windows. In external environments, the ideal is to plant it in the spring, due to the rains. But for watering, it’s worth not abusing: use only the amount needed to leave the earth moist.
In general, the first harvest of ora-pro-nobis leaves occurs 120 days after planting. After that, culinary creativity is unleashed! It’s also important to prune it every couple of months so it doesn’t overgrow. But beware: wear gloves when performing maintenance, as the plant is thorny.
How long can it be used for medicinal purposes?
After 120 days of planting, the gardener can harvest the leaves and fruits for cooking in the kitchen. The plant can be consumed naturalin salads mixed with other vegetables, or boiled, composing recipes for stews, omelettes and broths. You can also accompany pork ribs, country chicken and other meats.
In addition, ora-pro-nobis can be consumed as a flour. Just take the dried leaves to the oven and bake, over low heat, until they dry (about an hour). Then grind them: the flour goes well in bread and cake recipes. The plant can also be used in sauces and vinaigrettes.
Care during cultivation
The greatest care during cultivation refers to the choice of temporary vase and the plantation with stakes, for it must be firmly planted in the ground. In addition, it is necessary to guarantee a lot of sunlight and keep the earth moist for healthy growth.
It is worth pruning it from time to time to avoid exaggerated growth. don’t forget to wear the gloves! Like a cactus, the plant has many thorns and can injure whoever handles it.
How to water ora-pro-nobis
The frequency of watering will depend on where the plant is located – if it gets more sun or air currents, it tends to dry faster. But it’s worth checking if the earth is still wet. If it’s dry, you can water it again. In general, it is indicated Watering two to three times a weekalways paying attention to do not soak the substrate.