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Fig

The fig tree is a tree whose fruit is usually consumed as food. The fruit and leaves of the fig tree are used to make medicine. The fruit of the fig tree is used as a laxative to relieve constipation. Fig leaves are used for diabetes, high cholesterol levels and skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and white spot disease. Some people apply the milky sap of the tree directly to the skin to treat skin tumors and warts.

How do fig tree products work?

Fig leaves contain chemicals that may help people suffering from type 1 diabetes to use insulin more efficiently.

How effective are fig tree products?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of fig leaves for diabetes. New research suggests that a tea made from fig leaves may reduce the need for insulin in people suffering from type 1 diabetes. This tea also appears to lower blood sugar levels after eating. There is also insufficient scientific data on the effectiveness of figs for constipation. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of fig tree products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Fresh and dried figs are safe and safe for most people in normal food quantities. Fig leaves appear to be safe and harmless for most people when used as a medicine for up to one month. In high doses, fig latex, the sap of the tree, can cause bleeding around the digestive tract in some people. If you take fig leaves, you should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, as fig leaves can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun's rays. Fair-skinned people should use a sunscreen. Figs themselves do not appear to have any effect on the sensitivity of the skin to the sun's rays. Skin contact with the fruit or leaves of the fig tree may cause skin rashes in sensitive people.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Fresh and dried figs are safe and harmless in normal food quantities. However, not enough is known about the safety of using larger amounts and other fig tree products for medicinal purposes during pregnancy and lactation.

Surgeries: Fig tree products may lower blood sugar levels and there are therefore concerns that they may interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking fig tree products two weeks before an operation.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining fig tree products with the following medications:

Insulin

Fig leaves could lower blood sugar levels. Insulin is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Combined use of fig leaves and insulin could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the insulin dosage may need to be adjusted.

Diabetes medication

Fig leaf supplements appear to lower blood sugar in diabetics. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking fig leaf supplements in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of the diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Fig Tree products depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for different Fig Tree products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References:

  1. Dechamp C, Bessot JC, Pauli G, Deviller P. First report of anaphylactic reaction after fig (Ficus carica) ingestion. Allergy 1995;50:514-6.
  2. Gandolfo M, Baeza M, De Barrio M, Anaphylaxis after eating figs. Allergy 2001;56:462-3.
  3. Lembo G, Lo Presti M, Balato N. Phytophotodermatitis due to ficus carica. Photodermatol 1985;2:119-20.
  4. McGovern TW. The fig--Ficus carica L. Cutis 2002;69:339-40.
  5. Perez C, Canal JR, Campillo JE, et al. Hypotriglyceridaemic activity of Ficus carica leaves in experimental hypertriglyceridaemic rats. Phytother Res 1999;13:188-91.
  6. Pérez C, Domínguez E, Canal JR, et al. Hypoglycaemic activity of an aqueous extract from Ficus carica (fig tree) leaves in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Pharmaceutical Biology 2000;38:181-6.
  7. Rubnov S, Kashman Y, Rabinowitz R, et al. Suppressors of cancer cell proliferation from fig (Ficus carica) resin: isolation and structure elucidation. J Nat Prod 2001;64:993-6.
  8. Serraclara A, Hawkins F, Perez C, et al. Hypoglycemic action of an oral fig-leaf decoction in type-I diabetic patients. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1998;39:19-22.
  9. Zaynoun ST, Aftimos BG, Abi Ali L, et al. Ficus carica; isolation and quantification of the photoactive components. Contact Dermatitis 1984;11:21-5.