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Brief Description
The health benefits of eating figs have been a prized delicacy for at least 5,000 years. They were grown in King Nebuchadnezzar’s famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The fig’s benefits are mentioned frequently throughout the Bible. It was exported by the ancient seafaring Greeks and Phoenicians, who may have introduced it to Italy.
In the 18th century, priests planted figs at the first Catholic mission in San Diego, California. This so-called black Mission fig is still an important variable in that state, which grows 99% of the entire U.S. fig crop.
Fresh figs are usually pear-shaped, with either greenish-yellow, purple, or black skins. When ripe, they are usually soft but not mushy. The ancient Roman gladiators ate a lot of figs prior to combat in the amphitheaters to give them extra physical strength and an advantage over their opponents. There are many health benefits of eating figs (Ficus carica).
Relieves Sore Throat and Lungs
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, adding 5-1/4 tbsp. chopped figs. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Cover and steep until cool. Sip half-cupfuls every 4 hours or so to relieve a sore throat and lungs.
Nice Fruit Laxative
In 4 cups of boiling water, put 10-1/2 tbsp. each of figs, raisins, and uncooked barley. Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, then add 2-1/4 tbsp. cut, dry licorice root, and remove from heat, permitting it to steep for 30 minutes or so. When it is cold, stir and strain.
Take 1 cup at night and again in the morning as a laxative. In Egypt, a few raw figs are consumed to relieve digestive problems caused by eating too much red meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or milk.
Poultice for Sores and Boils
Put three to four figs in a pie tin with enough milk to cover them. Cover with another inverted pie tin and place in an oven set at a very low temperature for an hour. By that time, the figs should have absorbed all the milk. Cut the figs open and lay them directly on the sore or boil.
They soon draw out all the purulent infections. Some country folks used powdered figs in a paste to apply to old wounds and sores so they heal much faster. Old Amish Herbs makes such a Fig Paste for livestock and human use, both internally as well as externally.
Helps Clean Teeth
In many parts of Africa and Central America, ripe figs cut in half are used to clean the teeth by rubbing the cut side against the enamel for several minutes.
Figs for Cancer
Scientist Jonathan L. Hartwell listed figs as a useful treatment for different kinds of cancer in his five-year survey, “Plants Used Against Cancer. In Agricultural & Biological Chemistry, a team of Japanese scientists identified the anti-cancer component in a steam distillation of figs that reduced tumors by 39% as being benzaldehyde.
A subsequent follow-up study with 57 cancer patients showed a 50% regression of tumors with the administration of benzaldehyde (Fig. Benzaldehyde also occurs in large amounts in edible mushrooms such as Agaricus bisporus and Japanese shiitake mushrooms, as well as in sweet almond oil.
This is not to suggest that figs in and of themselves are going to cure cancer. Moreover, you used regular figs with medical care and alternative therapies. It seems to be a very useful food in the treatment of cancer, based on the data just presented.
Removes arthritis painÂ
like pineapple and papaya, have an important sulfur compound called ficin, which is valuable in the treatment of chronic joint inflammation and swelling of soft tissues common to rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic injuries, such as a twisted ankle or pulled muscle ligaments.
Soak about 6 figs in 2-1/2 cups of boiling water for a few minutes to soften them up a bit; then mash into a poultice and apply directly to any area of stiffness and soreness on the body. Cover with a heavy towel or warm flannel cloth and keep on for half an hour or so.
Or apply a thin cloth over them and then a heating pad, set on low heat. It will really bring incredible relief, even to lower backaches, a type of pain that is sometimes hard to get rid of.
Hot Fruit Appetizer
Here’s something to really please your palate as a pre-meal warm-up item.
Broiled Fresh Figs and Dates
Needed: 9 slices of bacon; 12 fresh figs; 12 unpitted dates; some Roquefort cheese, cream cheese, and slices of ham. Cut the bacon into pieces long enough to wrap one time around the figs and dates.
Remove the hard stem end of the figs and make a gash on the sides with a sharp paring knife. Mix together equal quantities of Roquefort and cream cheeses and fill the figs; wrap in bacon, securing with a wooden pick.
Pit dates and fill with equal quantities of cream cheese and ham; wrap in bacon, too. Thread the figs and dates on a long skewer and broil, turning several times, until the bacon is crisp. Serve hot from the skewer or keep hot in a small, covered dish. By reading this article, we’re sure you will realize the nutritional and health benefits of eating fig.
Read More: How Do Our Teeth Grow?
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