Fig
OTHER NAME(S): Al-Tin, Anjeer, Arbre à Cariques, Caricae Fructus, Common Fig, Feigen, Figs, Figuier, Figuier de Carie, Figuier Comestible, Figuier Commun, Figuier Domestique, Higuera, Ficus carica, Figue, Higo (Higuera)
Overview
Fig (Ficus carica) is a tree native to the Mediterranean. It produces a popular fruit. The fruit, leaves, and root are also used to make medicine.
Fig leaf and fruit contain chemicals that might help move food through the intestines better. It also contains chemicals that might help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
People use fig for constipation, diarrhea, diabetes, eczema, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Fig overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Fresh and dried fig fruit are commonly consumed in foods. Fig fruit paste is possibly safe when used as medicine for up to 8 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if fig leaf is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Fig leaf is possibly unsafe. It can cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun, leading to sunburn.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Fresh and dried fig fruit are commonly consumed in foods. Fig fruit paste is possibly safe when used as medicine for up to 8 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if fig leaf is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Fig leaf is possibly unsafe. It can cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun, leading to sunburn.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Fresh and dried fig fruit are commonly consumed as foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if fig is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Allergies. People who are sensitive to mulberry, natural rubber latex, or weeping fig might have allergic reactions to fig.
Surgery: Fig might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using fig as medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Insulin interacts with FigFig leaf might decrease blood sugar. Insulin is also used to decrease blood sugar. Taking fig leaf along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with FigFig leaf might lower blood sugar levels. Taking fig leaf along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
- Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with FigSome medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Fig might also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Taking fig along with medication that increase sensitivity to sunlight could increase the chances of sunburn, blistering or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun. Some drugs that cause photosensitivity include amitriptyline (Elavil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra), tetracycline, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen, 8-MOP, Oxsoralen), and Trioxsalen (Trisoralen).
Dosing
Fresh and dried fig fruit are commonly eaten. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of fig might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
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- Perez C, Canal JR, Campillo JE, et al. Hypotriglyceridaemic activity of Ficus carica leaves in experimental hypertriglyceridaemic rats. Phytother Res 1999;13:188-91.
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- Bonamonte D, Foti C, Lionetti N, Rigano L, Angelini G. Photoallergic contact dermatitis to 8-methoxypsoralen in Ficus carica. Contact Dermatitis. 2010;62(6):343-8.
- Bohlooli S, Mohebipoor A, Mohammadi S, Kouhnavard M, Pashapoor S. Comparative study of fig tree efficacy in the treatment of common warts (Verruca vulgaris) vs. cryotherapy. Int J Dermatol. 2007;46(5):524-6.
- Ramadan S, Hegab AM, Al-Awthan YS, Al-Duais MA, Tayel AA, Al-Saman MA. Comparison of the efficiency of Lepidium sativum, Ficus carica, and Punica granatum methanolic extracts in relieving hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Diabetes Res. 2021 Dec 21;2021:6018835.
- Pouryousef A, Eslami E, Shahriarirad S, et al. Effects of topical gel formulation of Ficus carica latex on cutaneous leishmaniasis induced by Leishmania major in BALB/c mice. BMC Res Notes. 2021 May 22;14(1):199.
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- El Ghouizi A, Ousaaid D, Laaroussi H, et al. Ficus carica (Linn.) Leaf and Bud Extracts and Their Combination Attenuates Type-1 Diabetes and Its Complications via the Inhibition of Oxidative Stress. Foods 2023;12(4):759.
- Pinto AR, Machado Cunha I, Rebelo Gomes E. Fig Tree-Induced Phytophotodermatitis: A Case Report on the Perils of a Hobby. Cureus 2023;15(7):e41888.
- Salma, Shamsi Y, Nikhat S, Manjhi M, Akhtar MW, Ahmad S. Clinical evaluation of a topical Unani pharmacopoeial formulation Tila-e-Kalf in the management of melasma (Kalf): A randomized controlled clinical trial. Avicenna J Phytomed 2023;13(3):255-264.