iñiz

iñiz is a term used primarily in the ethnobotanical lexicon of central Mexican indigenous communities. It refers to a specific type of thorny shrub belonging to the genus *Opuntia*, commonly known in English as prickly pear cactus. The name appears in historic codices such as the Florentine Codex, where it is associated with medicinal uses by the Nahuatl-speaking peoples. In these contexts, *iñiz* was harvested for its edible fruit, its seeds, and its various parts used in traditional remedies. The fruit is often consumed fresh or processed into pulps and jams, while the seeds are pressed to produce a dark, oily tincture believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally, the bark of the plant was also used to treat skin irritation and as a topical wash for wounds. Ethnobotanical studies from the 1950s onward have documented *iñiz* as an important component of local diets and health practices. While the cactus is now also cultivated commercially across Mexico for its nutritional value, the cultural significance of *iñiz* remains a subject of academic interest in the fields of anthropology and plant sciences.