Sedalia Dave Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 Turns out it may kill you. Can You Drink Water from a Cactus? Quote You may have heard that you can get water from a cactus if you are ever lost and dehydrated in a desert.* Sounds like a nice survival tip to store away, but is it really that easy? Turns out, a cactus is not actually a spine-covered basin of fresh water. Such a plant would not last long in an arid habitat filled with thirsty animals. Water is truly a precious resource in a desert, so, in addition to their intimidating spines, most cactus species further protect their spongy flesh with acids and potent alkaloids. These chemicals are usually too acrid for most humans to tolerate and are taxing on the kidneys if ingested. The flesh of some cactus species can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, or temporary paralysis—none of which is conducive to your survival in an emergency situation. The notable exceptions to this rule are the prickly pear and one species of barrel cactus, the fishhook barrel (Ferocactus wislizeni). While both of these plants are fairly unpleasant to eat raw, they have less-concentrated levels of the detrimental chemicals and could give you a bit of hydration in a pinch. Cactus fruits are a better bet, though many are also unpalatable if eaten raw. *All of this, of course, is assuming you are stranded in a New World desert with true cacti. The cactuslike plants found in the deserts of southern Africa and Madagascar are members of the family Euphorbiaceae and are toxic. The milky sap of these plants can burn the skin and mucous membranes and can cause permanent blindness if it gets in your eyes. Definitely don’t try to eat those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 There are many species of euphorbs or "spurges" in the new World and all have plant parts especially the sap that is extremely toxic. One that is particularly noxious is Texas Bull Nettle and if you've even brushed up against one you'll remember it. That said the nut like seeds are really tasty and nutritious if you can get to them before the turkey do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramblin Gambler Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 I know for a fact you can have a real good time drinking the squeezins from certin cacti. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Ramblin Gambler said: I know for a fact you can have a real good time drinking the squeezins from certin cacti. That would be the agave cactus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 You just brought up a memory that makes me laugh every time I think of it, Dave. Years ago I had a friend that took an elective “survival” course at USC. A group of 4 of us would go rock climbing together in the desert. One of us, me, was ex-military (Navy) and grew up poor. One was a former juvenile delinquent who turned himself around and had some college. One was a rich (and I mean 1 mile long driveway to the mansion “rich”) and then there was “Dave”. Spoiled brat man-boy that had everything handed to him and believed that anyone without a college degree was a moron and could not be trusted as they were stupid. Anyway, Dave decided to impress us with his vast desert survival knowledge he learned in a classroom at the University of Spoiled Children, USC, here in southern Caleepornia. He explained that he was going to cut up a prickly pear cactus and eat the pulp of the pads (leaves?) to “acquire food and hydration” - his words. “Tom, can I borrow your knife? I am going to go get some prickly pear and show you guys what I learned in Survival Training at school.” That statement right there speaks volumes about Dave. Having to borrow a knife to instruct us on “survival”. I reach over and snatched my old butcher knife off the picnic table and hand it to him. I wouldn’t give that knucklehead my Kabar. As he is trotting away I truly wished for a Park Ranger come by. We were in Joshua Tree Nat’l Monument. Damaging plants was a big "No-No". I told him to be careful of the spines and barbs. He gave me a disgusted look and said “Hah! I know what I am doing.” About 15 minutes later he comes back holding two big pads from a cactus, one in each hand holding them in his finger tips like stinky diapers. He proceeded to sit down and skin the cactus pads. I tried to tell him about the little unseen cactus barbs that cover prickly pears aside from the larger spines but he was not receptive. He manged to skin both of them then offered us pieces to chew on. I refused. My friends Craig and Paul followed my lead and also refused. I told Dave he should rinse the pieces as they may have "no-see-um" spine and barbs on the from the outer skin. He said "When out in the wild and dying of thirst you won't have water to rinse the cactus. Don't be ridiculous!" Dave sat there chewing on these pieces of pulp complaining that the pulp must also have barbs inside it as it was stinging his tongue. I just rolled my eyes and walked away. Dave found out about little tiny cactus barbs that day. He also figured out that one should have stomach medicine in their first aid kit as well as anti-diarrhea medicines. He was a hurtin' puppy.. His mouth was on fire. His stomach hurt and the acids in the cactus pulp apparently caused diarrhea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Hangtree Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 Can you drink water from a cactus? I'd be afraid of getting my eye poked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Marshal Hangtree said: Can you drink water from a cactus? I'd be afraid of getting my eye poked out. Naw... that was a different movie, Marshal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: You just brought up a memory that makes me laugh every time I think of it, Dave. Years ago I had a friend that took an elective “survival” course at USC. A group of 4 of us would go rock climbing together in the desert. One of us, me, was ex-military (Navy) and grew up poor. One was a former juvenile delinquent who turned himself around and had some college. One was a rich (and I mean 1 mile long driveway to the mansion “rich”) and then there was “Dave”. Spoiled brat man-boy that had everything handed to him and believed that anyone without a college degree was a moron and could not be trusted as they were stupid. Anyway, Dave decided to impress us with his vast desert survival knowledge he learned in a classroom at the University of Spoiled Children, USC, here in southern Caleepornia. He explained that he was going to cut up a prickly pear cactus and eat the pulp of the pads (leaves?) to “acquire food and hydration” - his words. “Tom, can I borrow your knife? I am going to go get some prickly pear and show you guys what I learned in Survival Training at school.” That statement right there speaks volumes about Dave. Having to borrow a knife to instruct us on “survival”. I reach over and snatched my old butcher knife off the picnic table and hand it to him. I wouldn’t give that knucklehead my Kabar. As he is trotting away I truly wished for a Park Ranger come by. We were in Joshua Tree Nat’l Monument. Damaging plants was a big "No-No". I told him to be careful of the spines and barbs. He gave me a disgusted look and said “Hah! I know what I am doing.” About 15 minutes later he comes back holding two big pads from a cactus, one in each hand holding them in his finger tips like stinky diapers. He proceeded to sit down and skin the cactus pads. I tried to tell him about the little unseen cactus barbs that cover prickly pears aside from the larger spines but he was not receptive. He manged to skin both of them then offered us pieces to chew on. I refused. My friends Craig and Paul followed my lead and also refused. I told Dave he should rinse the pieces as they may have "no-see-um" spine and barbs on the from the outer skin. He said "When out in the wild and dying of thirst you won't have water to rinse the cactus. Don't be ridiculous!" Dave sat there chewing on these pieces of pulp complaining that the pulp must also have barbs inside it as it was stinging his tongue. I just rolled my eyes and walked away. Dave found out about little tiny cactus barbs that day. He also figured out that one should have stomach medicine in their first aid kit as well as anti-diarrhea medicines. He was a hurtin' puppy.. His mouth was on fire. His stomach hurt and the acids in the cactus pulp apparently caused diarrhea. I would pay really good money to have seen that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 17 hours ago, Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 said: There are many species of euphorbs or "spurges" in the new World and all have plant parts especially the sap that is extremely toxic. One that is particularly noxious is Texas Bull Nettle and if you've even brushed up against one you'll remember it. That said the nut like seeds are really tasty and nutritious if you can get to them before the turkey do. Speaking of Spurge. I recently bought one at Green Acres (local nursery chain) because it said deer and drought resistant. First, the deer pulled it up, as they did al of my deer resistant plants. At least, they didn't eat it. Then, when I added it to my plant spreadsheet and looked up all the details about it, I found out it was extremely toxic. I never would have bought it if I'd known that. I moved all the deer resistant plants into a fenced area, except the rosemary. The deer killed five of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgun Willie Nelson Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 18 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said: Can You Drink Water from a Cactus? does a mescaline cactus count? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 What i saw in some old survival books involved digging a pit and lining the sides with split open cactus. Then put some sort of collection device in the bottom of the pit, cover the pit with plastic sheet. Use a small rock to depress the plastic in the middle, over the collection device. Basically make a solar still Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramblin Gambler Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 I bet bear gryllis would just urinate on the cactus to clean it. Then eat the cactus and drink the urine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Ramblin Gambler said: I bet bear gryllis would just urinate on the cactus to clean it. Then eat the cactus and drink the urine. And design a stupid looking Chinese made orange and gray knife while he’s at it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 14 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: What i saw in some old survival books involved digging a pit and lining the sides with split open cactus. Then put some sort of collection device in the bottom of the pit, cover the pit with plastic sheet. Use a small rock to depress the plastic in the middle, over the collection device. Basically make a solar still I read that too. Never tried it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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