Fig
Fig, commonly known as Anjeer are the fruit of the ficus tree, a part of the mulberry group. Figs are a unique fruit resembling a teardrop. They’re about the size of your thumb, filled with hundreds of tiny seeds, and have an edible purple or green peel. The flesh of the fruit is pink and has a mild, sweet taste. The scientific name for the fig is Ficus carica and belongs to Moraceae family.
Fig is a deciduous tree – which means it loses its foliage during the fall and grows new leaves in the spring. The tree grows up to 50 ft tall, with a heavy and twisting branch. The leaves are bright green, single and large which has an uneven hairy upper surface and soft hairy on the underside. The flowers are small with a clustered green fruits.
Nutritious Content –
Figs contain more calories, sugar, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals than fresh figs. Fresh figs will have more vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta-carotene.
Figs are a powerhouse of antioxidant flavonoids which include carotenes, lutein, tannins, chlorogenic acids and vitamins A, E and K which assists in scavenging free radicals
Figs particularly rich in copper and vitamin B6.
Copper is a vital mineral that’s involved in several bodily processes, including metabolism and energy production, as well as the formation of blood cells, connective tissues, and neurotransmitters (2Trusted Source).
Vitamin B6 is a key vitamin necessary to help your body break down dietary protein and create new proteins. It also plays an important role in brain health.
Parts Used –
Fig fruit and leaves are the useful part for medicinal purposes of fig tree.
Fresh figs are seasonal and perishable. Dried Anjeer can be enjoyed all year round. They are often part of the healthy diet as a replacement to the table sugar and thus act as a natural sweeter. You can try some amazing mouth enticing recipes with dried figs like jam, smoothies, milkshake, ladoos and many more.
How to use figs?
There are a number of ways to add figs to your diet, each with its own potential benefits. Here are the four main ways you can include figs in your diet:
• Fresh. Fresh figs are low in calories and make for a great snack, and they’re an excellent addition to salads or desserts. You can also make fig jam or preserves with fresh figs.
• Dried. Dried figs are high in sugar and calories, so they should be eaten in moderation. They may be more effective at treating constipation than fresh figs.
• Fig leaves. Although they may be difficult to find outside of specialty grocers, fig leaves are nutritious and can be used in a variety of ways. They’re often used the same way grape leaves are, as a wrap for dishes containing rice, meat, or other fillings.
• Fig leaf tea. Fig leaf tea is made from dried fig leaves. You can make it yourself or purchase premade fig leaf teas online or in specialty stores.
Benefits
• Constipation
Figs have long been used as a home remedy or an alternative treatment for digestive problems like constipation.
They contain fiber, which may help promote digestive health by softening and adding bulk to stools, decreasing constipation, and serving as a prebiotic — or food source for the healthy bacteria populating your gut.
• Blood Pressure
Fast-food consumption has been increasing day by day and this can lead to high blood pressure problems.
High blood pressure often leads to an imbalance of potassium levels in your body. Figs being a good source of potassium can naturally improve potassium levels and thus might control blood pressure.
• Diabetes
A tea made from fig leaves may reduce insulin requirements in people with type 1 diabetes. It also seems to lower blood sugar levels after eating.
• Heart Health
Being high in fibre and potassium helps remove the excess fat from the body and pressure from the heart. This can drastically help improve the health of your heart.
Along with these two functions, Figs are also a great source of antioxidants which not only reduces the free radicals but also helps reduce triglycerides and bad cholesterol. Therefore, making your heart stronger and letting it live for longer.
• Anticancer
Fig leaves and natural latex from fig plants have been shown to exhibit antitumor activity against human colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and liver cancer cells.
• Weight Loss
Fibre-rich anjeer can be a perfect snack or mid-morning munchies, especially for weight watchers. Dried Anjeer makes a great nutritious snack. 2 or 3 dried figs can make you feel fuller for longer and this can help keep longer gaps between your two meals.
• Fertility
Figs were considered a symbol of fertility. This was later researched and was termed true based on its high iron content.
Iron plays an essential role in the entire ovulation process in females. For males, low iron may affect sperm quality and motility. It is very commonly consumed with milk even today to boost reproductive health.
• Sexual Health
The wealth of vitamins B6, A and minerals potassium, copper and magnesium increase the semen production. Dried figs are super-rich in amino acids and it works as a great aphrodisiac fruit by increasing vitality and libido.
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Figs are also valuable for adolescent girls to alleviate PMS symptoms and regulates the cycle.
• Bones Health
Figs are heaped with a rich array of essential minerals and vitamins which play a key role in strengthening bones and lowers the risk of osteoporosis. Being one of the foods rich in calcium and phosphorus anjeer promotes the formation of bones and stimuli regrowth of bones if there is any injury or deterioration of bones.
• Alzheimer’s Disease
A diet abundant in figs helps in treating neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and eases neuroinflammation.
Anjeer is loaded with umpteen amounts of dietary fibre, copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium, vitamin K and antioxidants promote memory, reduce anxiety and improves the learning skills in Alzheimer’s patients.
• Warts
Applying the milky sap from fig onto warts helps them to heal.The proteolytic activity of latex enzyme aids to remove warts on the body without causing any side effects.
• Eczema
Using a cream containing fig fruit extract helps to reduce itchiness associated with eczema in children.
• Macular Degeneration
Fig is a valued fruit as it assists in preventing age related macular degeneration, a major reason behind vison loss in elderly people. Regular intake promotes healthy vision in all age groups.
Side Effects –
Fresh or dried fig fruit is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in food amounts.
• One of the main benefits of fig can also turn into a downside. Figs can have a laxative action, hence its use as a home remedy against constipation. But the same action may also lead to diarrhoea or other digestive issues, so be careful not to overload on this yummy fruit.
• Fig LEAF is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth for up to one month as a medicine. However, in high doses, fig LATEX, the sap from the tree, might cause bleeding in the digestive tract in some people.
• Skin allergy could be caused from its leaves so it should be handled cautiously.
• A rare downside is for people who may have an allergy to figs. Of course, for people with this allergy, it’s best to avoid eating figs completely.
• Figs are also fairly rich in vitamin K, which can interfere with blood thinning medications and cause them to be less effective
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