The fig tree which traces its origin to the distant lands of Arabia has enriched Indian households.
The dried fruits are highly nutritive. They help in increasing red blood corpuscles. They cool down the human machine and stop nasal bleeding due to heat. They are also diuretic.
Figs – A Profile
Latin Name: Ficus carica L
Indian Name: Anjir
Family: Moraceae
Appearance: A small tree
Distribution: Cultivated in U.P., Rajasthan, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
Fig: How to use it
| Ailment | Prescription |
| Physical weakness, constipation, dry cough, liver problems, pitta aggravation | Soak 2 or 3 dried figs over night in water. To be taken in the morning along with 1 tbsp honey. Continue for a few weeks. |
| Deficiency in blood | Soak 2 or 3 dried figs in a glass of water. To be had with milk the next morning. |
| Constipation due to diabetes | Take 2 or 3 figs after each meal. |
| Spleen enlargement, inflamed spleen | Take 2 or 3 figs along with a cup of curd twice a day for a few weeks. |
| Early stages of smallpox and chickenpox. Figs hasten the appearance of rashes | Include figs in the daily diet. |
| Leucorrhoea | Take equal quantity of bark from the banyan and fig trees. Grind into a fine powder. This is mixed with water and used as a vaginal douche . |
| Eye-problems due to Pitta aggravation. It’s also a wonderful tonic for the brain | Boil 2 to 3 figs and 1 tsp of raisins in milk. Drink every morning at breakfast. |
| Smallpox | Cut 2-3 figs into small pieces and cook in a little water. Cool. Add a pinch of saffron and take twice daily. |
| Kidney stones | Juice of fresh fig fruits. |
| Kidney stones | Small pieces of figs are boiled in water to get a decoction. 1-2 ounces of this decoction is to be taken 2 to 3 times daily for a few weeks. |
| Diabetes | Seeds of fig separated from the pulp are mixed with little honey and taken every day. |
| Mouth ulcer, sore throat, ulcer in the uterus | Take 2″ bark of fig tree. Dry and powder it. Mix it in milk. Add some misri for taste. Take daily for a few days. |
| Diarrhoea | The above powder is to be taken daily for a few days along with a glass of butter milk |
| Wounds | The above bark powder is mixed in hot water for washing wounds. |
| Excess menstruation in women | A paste made of fresh leaf buds is applied on the lower abdomen below the navel for a few hours. Repeat this frequently. |
| Halitosis (bad breath), mouth ulcer | Chew the tender leaves and leaf-buds frequently and wash the mouth with warm water. |
| Early stages of leucoderma | The juice of leaves to be applied on the affected areas. |
| Swellings, arthritis | The fresh latex (milk) of the tree is applied to affected areas. |