Figs are the first plant whose name is mentioned in the Bible and are probably the oldest cultivated plant in the world.

Figs have several common names.

Figs have been known since ancient times

This is a fig, this is a fig tree, you can also hear the name “wine berry” and fig tree.

Where does it grow

The fig tree has been known since ancient times. The mention of the fig tree began in the Bible and the Old and New Testaments. In Italy, there are legends around this unique tree and its delicious fruits.

In the Middle East and in Arabic tales, it is unthinkable not to come across some interesting fact or legend associated with this ancient plant.

Figs grow in subtropical conditions. Often found in Mediterranean countries, the Caucasus, Crimea, and Central Asia.
Figs grow in the subtropics

There are two varieties of figs: early (white) and blue (purple), which ripen two months after the harvest of white fruits.

Types of processing

With such wide popularity and gastronomic attractiveness of this plant, it is still better to know why figs are useful and how to use them in different forms.

It is used fresh, like berries, as a treat and dessert.

The fruits are also dried, dried and the beneficial properties of figs are also used in dried fruits. Dried fruits (per 100 g of product) contain about 250 - 258 kcal, while fresh fruits contain only 50 kcal.

Preserves and jams are often prepared from fig trees.

Composition of figs

The fruits of the fig tree contain almost all the substances and microelements necessary for the health of the human body.
These are the main ones, in mg (per 100 g of product):

• Calcium - 162;
• Sodium - 10;
• Phosphorus - 67;
• Potassium - 680;
• Iron - 2.03;
• Magnesium - 68;
• Zinc - 0.55;
• Copper - 0.287;
• Manganese, Selenium, etc.

Dried figs retain all their beneficial properties

Vitamins:

• Retinol (vitamin A);
• Betaine;
• Thiamine;
• Riboflavin;
• Niacin;
• Pantothenic acid;
• Pyridoxine;
• Folic acid, etc.

The composition of these fruits also includes fats, carbohydrates, plant fibers (fiber), starch, proteins and sugars.
That is why the beneficial properties of fresh figs are valuable for both women and men.

Dried figs retain all their beneficial properties in full.

Because this method is nothing more than getting rid of moisture in fruits, while preserving all vitamins and nutrients.

Benefit

What are the benefits of fig fruits and does it cause harm:

Contraindications and harm

The beneficial properties of figs are obvious, but what are the contraindications and are there any?
The fruit of the fig tree is not desirable for consumption by people with disorders of the digestive tract and intestines.

Fig trees are one of the few fruits that contain oxalates, a special substance found in some plants.

When these compounds become too abundant in body fluids, the process can lead to problems with the formation of kidney or gallstones.

The high concentration of dietary fiber in figs can lead to excessive intestinal motility, which causes abdominal cramps and loose stools. Also, fig fruits can bring harm instead of benefit to the body of those who are obese.

You will learn all the details about the benefits and harms of figs from the video:

Storage

Since freshly picked fig fruits can be stored for a very short time, about three days, and in a hermetically sealed container for about a week, figs are often dried or dried for future use.
How do the properties of dried figs differ, what are their benefits and harms in contrast to the beneficial qualities of fresh fruits?

Dried fruits contain many times more sugar than fresh ones. The shelf life is significantly increased due to the lack of moisture in the pulp.

Once dried or cured, figs become quite a rough food. Dried figs are eaten like raisins or regular dried fruits, but pre-soaking in boiling water or cool water is also possible.

The benefits and harms of dried figs

The most important property of dried figs for the body is the benefits that can be obtained throughout the year, regardless of the harvest season.
What dried figs are good for women is, among other things, it is also an effective prevention of varicose veins. A few fruits in your daily diet are enough to keep your leg veins toned.

Figs tones the veins of the legs
Figs are known as Cleopatra's favorite fruit. Figs have beneficial properties for women in general for health and in particular for weight loss.

Dried fruits are divided into dried fruits of carbohydrate and lipid properties.
Dried fruits of the carbohydrate spectrum, these are figs, prunes, dates, apricots, etc. They consist of dried or candied fruit and are high in sugar and vitamins (especially A and E) but low in protein and lipids.

Dried fruits of the lipid (or oil) spectrum include fruits, seeds or toasted legumes, including walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios and almonds. They are low in sugar but high in protein and lipids, although these are mostly “good” fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated (Omega 9), which help fight cholesterol. Also rich in vitamin A, E, calcium and potassium. The calorie content of oily dried fruits is about 600 kcal per 100 grams.

The top 10 aphrodisiac products include dried figs, which is why they have special properties for men. It is not for nothing that the ancient Greeks regularly consumed figs during sexual rituals when they celebrated the harvest of the year.

During pregnancy, figs undoubtedly bring more benefits than they can cause harm if they are consumed too much.
You will learn all the details from the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icw1jmn49fk

So, the harm of dried figs is minimal. Can only be applied if consumed by a person with an unhealthy gastrointestinal tract, or when overeating.

How to choose

It’s good when a fig tree grows in your own garden or in the region where the consumer lives.

But when you come to a store in the Urals, Siberia or, for example, in central Russia, you need to know how to choose dried figs so as not to waste your money.

It is better to choose dried figs for the following visible properties:

• color from beige to light gray;
• the surface should be matte;
• a light layer of whitish color (protruding glucose);
• no brown dents or damage.

Attention! If the surface is glossy, then the fruits have been treated with sulfur fumes.
By observing these few conditions, purchased dried figs will only bring benefits and not harm to the buyer’s body.

Similar materials

Many people are distrustful of exotic fruits and are in no hurry to introduce them into their diet. The same figs, which grow in the subtropics, do not look very attractive when dried, so uninitiated people may have doubts about their taste.

But if you find out the benefits and harms of dried figs for the body, you can learn to manage your health and forget about many ailments for a long time.

What are figs

Figs are pear-shaped dark blue or purple berries with juicy and sweet bright red flesh, the fruits of a subtropical plant known as the fig tree or common fig tree. In Rus', where the exotic tree arrived only at the end of the 18th century, the fig was called fig and wineberry.

The plant's homeland is regions with a subtropical climate: the Mediterranean and Africa. On the territory of the Commonwealth countries, fig tree fruits are harvested in Georgia and Abkhazia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Krasnodar Territory and South Ossetia.

Figs are one of those types of fruits whose healing qualities people have been using for a long time and successfully. The fruits of the fig tree are often mentioned in the Bible, the Old and New Testaments, and many ancient manuscripts.

It is known that the cultivation of the fig tree played a significant role in the development of agriculture in ancient Greece, Phenicia, Syria and Egypt. And by the end of the 16th century, Americans were able to appreciate the beneficial properties of figs.

Beneficial properties of dried figs for the body

Freshly picked figs cannot be stored for more than three days. To preserve the beneficial properties of figs for as long as possible, the fruits are dried. And it's worth it. Because it is difficult to find another type of fruit that has the same level of medicinal health benefits.

The chemical composition and amount of valuable components in the fruits is amazing:

• fatty polyunsaturated acids Omega-3 and Omega-6;
• potassium, sodium, manganese, phosphorus and iron, magnesium and calcium;
• vitamins of group B, PP and pectins;
• antioxidants and fiber;
• rutin and beta-carotene;
• tanning elements;
• glucose and fructose;
• fucin enzyme.

We can talk about the usefulness of figs for a long time. Just one fact: 100 grams of dried figs provide 4% of the daily value of B vitamins and 3% of the daily value of iron.

Indications for use

Thanks to the valuable microelements contained in figs, its fruits are recommended for use as an additional therapeutic agent in the drug therapy of common diseases. The doctor’s task is to convey to patients information about the benefits of figs as a means of complex effects on human health:

• with increased blood pressure;
• to strengthen bones when the body needs calcium;
• for prevention against cancer, diabetes;
• for pathologies of the respiratory system;
• patients diagnosed with anemia;
• as a laxative;
• for colds;
• for genital ailments in women.

In addition, the fig tree cleanses the body of cholesterol, eliminates excess weight, normalizes the functioning of the digestive system, increases efficiency, perfectly saturates and helps remove kidney stones.

Contraindications and harm from use

The benefits that figs can bring to the body are enormous.

However, in some cases it is better to avoid eating exotic fruits:

• with diabetes mellitus. The sugar level in figs is too high;
• for gout. Fruits are rich in oxalic acid, which contributes to exacerbation of attacks;
• for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. High fiber content leads to an increase in intestinal contents and, acting on its walls, can increase inflammatory processes;
• with dietary nutrition. The calorie content of figs is 256 calories per 100 g, so this product is not suitable for people who want to lose weight;
• on trips. The laxative properties of fig fruits are strong enough to ruin a trip with unexpectedly frequent urges to pee.

In other cases, the regular presence of figs in the diet is welcomed as a food product necessary for the prevention of various ailments.

Traditional medicine recipes with dried figs

The history of the use of figs in folk medicine goes back many thousands of years, since the fig tree was the first plant cultivated by humans. The use of traditional recipes will be appropriate when many health problems arise.

As a laxative

Balls of crushed dried figs and raisins are very effective. To 100 g of fig tree and 100 g of raisins add half a teaspoon of nutmeg and ginger. The mixture is stirred and rolled into small balls. The product can be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator and taken as needed or just like that - it’s very tasty.

Cough medicine

You will need a glass of milk and 4 dried fruits. The fruits are dipped in boiling milk and left under a closed lid for 20 minutes. The infusion is taken warm - half a glass four times a day.

Cough syrup is prepared as a decoction from a glass of water and 8 dried figs. After 20 minutes of cooking, the fruits are removed, and the amount of water necessary to restore the level is added to the broth.

Then add a glass of sugar, stir until dissolved, and season the broth with a teaspoon of ginger and the juice of half a lemon. The finished syrup is mixed and poured into a dry and clean jar. Take daily: adults 2 tablespoons, and children one.

Diaphoretic and antipyretic for colds

Two tablespoons of chopped dry figs are infused in a glass of milk or water. Take 4 times a day, 100 g.

In the treatment of sore throats, throat diseases and stomatitis

The dry fruit is crushed, poured with boiling water and boiled for 10 minutes over low heat. Take half a glass three times a day. Proportions: take a liter of water for one tablespoon of crushed fruit.

To eliminate problems of the renal and urinary systems

Five dried figs are poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water, boiled for 5 minutes and crushed. I take the resulting puree three times a day between meals.

For skin lesions

Puree of dried fig berries, soaked in water or boiled in milk, allows you to quickly heal wounds or burns, boils.

To strengthen the heart and blood vessels

You can prepare a salad. To do this, 300 g of chopped figs, 150 g of prunes and 2.5 tablespoons of almonds are mixed with a glass of acidophilus, orange zest is added and slightly sweetened.

For baldness

Take 0.5 liters of boiling water for two tablespoons of crushed fig tree fruits, cook over low heat and grind well. Take 100 g of infusion before each meal.

Medicinal properties of figs

The degree of healing effects of fruits always depends on their quality. You can count on a therapeutic effect only if you choose it correctly. High-quality dried figs are distinguished by their light beige color, softness, and uniform size.

You can often see a white coating on dried fruits, which seems repulsive. But in fact, it is just glucose that was released from fresh fruit during the drying process and solidified as a concentrate.

If fig fruits have an unpleasant salty-sour taste, with a generally dry and rough surface, this is a sign of a spoiled product that should not be eaten.

Dried figs - benefits for children

In addition to decoctions for coughs and colds, figs are used to prepare tonics for children who have problems with appetite. Pediatricians believe that figs can be introduced into a baby’s diet starting at 9 months.

Pies and casseroles, rolls and cakes are prepared using the fruits of the fig tree. Children love sweets, so they enjoy eating healthy desserts.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Nutrition during pregnancy is usually subject to careful analysis for the sake of the health of the expectant mother and her baby. Considering that fig tree fruits have exceptional medicinal properties, including the product in the daily diet is not only permissible, but also desirable.

The main thing is that there are no contraindications from the health or individual characteristics of the pregnant woman’s body.

For men

Most of the beneficial properties of the fig tree are equally beneficial for use by all family members, from children to adults and the elderly. However, from a medical point of view, this product has particularly valuable properties for maintaining or restoring the health of men.

Figs are a remedy recognized in the East for improving male potency and treating prostatitis. To prepare a healing drink, just soak a few figs in warm milk in the evening, and in the morning eat the swollen fruit and drink the resulting infusion.

Another way to prepare a daily portion of a medicinal infusion is to mix five dried figs and a cup of hot water and leave for at least 12 hours. Take half a glass twice a day before meals.

Benefits of figs for women

Although figs are high in calories, they can help women concerned about weight loss. Due to its ability to remove toxins from the body, fig tree fruits can be used as an additional food product during fasting days.

The diet of such one-day diets should include 100 g of dried figs, a kilogram of other types of fruits, half a kilogram of vegetables and 2 liters of low-fat yogurt or kefir.

The syrup effectively eliminates varicose veins and female pain.

Regular consumption of figs can effectively eliminate existing ailments and prevent the development of new ones. And this method of treatment is much more pleasant than traditionally bitter pills and medical procedures.

Figs: history, types, distribution, composition and calorie content, health benefits, medicinal properties and contraindications. Photo.

Common fig, also known as fig, fig tree, wineberry, ficus carica, fig tree, is a subtropical deciduous tree reaching a height of 12 m. Figs usually produce two to three harvests per season, in summer and autumn. The color of the fruit varies from creamy yellow to dark red and black and blue, the taste ranges from sweet with sourness to sickly sweet, the shape is round and pear-shaped. The tree begins to bear fruit at the age of three, and can live 50-300 years.

History, types and distribution

The fig tree is one of the first crops domesticated by humans. In Ancient Greece it has been known since the 9th century BC, and in Ancient Egypt it was considered sacred. Figs began to be grown as a cultivated plant in Arabia, and from there the tree was brought to Syria, Phenicia and Egypt. In America, the Carian ficus appeared only at the end of the 16th century. By the way, this name comes from ancient Caria, a mountainous region in Asia Minor that is considered the birthplace of the plant. Today, figs are grown in Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Greece, the Krasnodar Territory, as well as in the Caucasus and Crimea, where the tree was brought by the Genoese. At the moment, about 1000 varieties of figs have been bred. They differ from each other in the method of pollination, yield, ripening period, frost resistance, shape and size of the fruit.

The most popular varieties of figs: Blanche, Kadota, Chapla, Oglobsha, Azari, Hazari, Communa, Italian white, White Adriatic, Italian black, Dalmatian (Dalmatica), Yellow giant, Purple Sukhumi, Nikitsky aromatic, Sunny, Sochi-7, Fraga white , Sary-fig, Sary-lob (Smirnsky-2), Kalimirna, Muason, Honey (Krymsky-41), Apsheronsky. Of the dried fruits, the light yellow Samarkand fig is considered the best.

Vitamin cocktail: composition and calorie content of figs

Figs are a fruit with jelly-like flesh and rich flavor, containing 14 minerals and 11 vitamins. Ripe figs have very tender and juicy pulp, and dried and dried fruits are quite hard; they need to be soaked or steamed before use.

Figs contain beta-carotene, vitamins C, E, PP and group B, and minerals - iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, sulfur, bromine. There is more iron in fresh fruits than in apples, and in terms of potassium content, figs are second only to nuts.

Figs are also a source of protein, natural sugars, organic acids, dietary fiber, tannins, fiber, pectin and extremely healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The benefits of figs are also associated with the presence of antioxidants in it - polyphenols and flavonoids. In addition, ripe figs are an alkaline food, and there is a significant lack of it in the modern human diet. Based on the above, it can be argued that figs are an ideal option for a snack, of course, if a person seeks to satisfy hunger quickly and beneficially for his body.

Calorie content of fresh figs: 74 kcal per 100 g. Nutritional value: carbohydrates – 12 g, proteins – 0.7 g, fats – 0.2 g.

Calorie content of dried figs: 257 kcal per 100 g. Nutritional value: carbohydrates - 57.9 g, proteins - 3.1 g, fats - 0.8 g.

Universal benefits: medicinal properties of figs

High cholesterol, hangover, cough, stress, excess weight - figs can cope with these and many other problems. Official medicine today values ​​its medicinal properties as highly as ancient Greek healers did several thousand years ago.

For a cold

The benefits of figs for colds are explained by their antipyretic, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic effects. In the form of a decoction (in milk or water), fig tree fruits are used in folk medicine for gum inflammation, respiratory diseases, and as a rinse for sore throat. Cough figs (4-5 fresh fruits, pour a glass of hot milk, soak and grind) can be given to small children: you need to drink this cocktail in 2-3 doses a day.

For gastrointestinal diseases

Figs are useful for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver diseases, and for the prevention of colon cancer. Its fruits have a mild laxative effect; they help improve bowel function without the use of medications. You need to take a couple of berries and soak them in water (if they are dry figs) or in milk (fresh fruits) and eat them on an empty stomach. Doctors also prescribe wineberry fruits for nephritis, urolithiasis and painful urination.

For cardiovascular diseases

Figs are useful for hypertension, iron deficiency anemia and venous insufficiency, as they are rich in rutin and potassium, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the heart muscle. The enzymes contained in wineberries maintain normal blood composition, preventing it from thickening, and promote the resorption of blood clots in the veins. The amino acids that are part of figs help break down excess cholesterol in the blood.

For skin lesions

Figs accelerate the opening and healing of boils, abscesses, and ulcers: fruits steamed in milk are applied to the sore spots. Juice and infusion from fresh leaves of the Carian ficus perfectly moisturizes dry skin, removes pigmentation in vitiligo, removes warts, treats acne and other skin diseases.

Figs are high in fiber, which improves digestion and prevents excess sugar from food from turning into fat. Mexican scientists have found that figs, rich in carbohydrates, are, paradoxically, beneficial for type II diabetes. In addition, wineberry fruits perfectly satisfy hunger and help the body get rid of excess fluid. Due to the above, figs can be considered an ideal dessert for those who are watching their weight.

Figs during pregnancy

The beneficial properties of figs also apply to pregnant women. Rich in microelements and folates, fiber and ascorbic acid, wineberry fruits are simply irreplaceable for maintaining the health of the mother and her unborn baby. Figs are especially useful for women in a position with excessive weight gain: healthy fruits can replace harmful sweets and synthetic vitamins.

For the mood

Figs will be useful for people whose work involves creativity and mental stress. This sweet fruit, in addition to its healing effect, can also lift your mood and strengthen your memory, thanks to the potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin B6 it contains. A breakfast of figs will help out those who had too much the day before: the fruits of the fig tree cope perfectly with thirst, nausea and dry mouth.

Contraindications

Figs, especially in dried form, are contraindicated in cases of severe obesity, gout (due to the high concentration of oxalic acid), pancreatitis, acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, impaired salt metabolism in the body and diabetes. Figs only bring benefits if consumed in reasonable quantities: no more than 100 g of dried and no more than 400 g of fresh fruits per day.

How to select and store figs

Fresh figs can be stored for no more than two days even in the refrigerator, which is why we more often see dried fruits on the shelves of domestic stores. High-quality berries are quite soft to the touch. Staleness of dried fruits can be indicated by stains, plaque on the skin, unpleasant odor, or excessive hardness. And one more secret: experts say that the smaller the fig tree fruits, the tastier they are.

The fig tree is considered a symbol of enlightenment in Buddhism and is mentioned in both the Bible and the revelations of the Koran. According to biblical legend, it was the leaves of the Carian ficus that became the first “clothing” of Adam and Eve.

Invaluable health benefits, unusual taste, moderately sweet, somewhat reminiscent of honey, tender and fresh at the same time - all these advantages make figs a welcome guest on the tables of different peoples of the world. Cleopatra herself preferred it to other fruits, and the ancient Greeks awarded the fruits of the wineberry to the winners of the Olympic Games. Pamper yourself with only healthy sweets and always be healthy!

Figs are one of the earliest fruits that humans began to grow. It is this fruit that people prefer to eat, among the many sweet fruits in warm countries of the world. Unfortunately, it is not available fresh all year round. We buy most of our fig trees in dried form. But in this article we will talk about fresh figs, their beneficial properties and benefits for the human body. Let's look at the possible harm, how to select and store. Still, in the fall, fig or fig fruits can be bought fresh.

How and where figs grow

Everyone knows figs. But few people have seen it in person in its fresh form. Unfortunately, it does not tolerate frost and does not always take root in our climate. True, it is possible to grow it in home greenhouse conditions, which significantly increases the degree of its beneficial qualities for the human body.

These sweet fruits appear thanks to the so-called fig tree (in botanical circles it is also called a fig tree or simply a fig). It belongs to the genus Ficus and the mulberry family.

India and the Mediterranean countries are considered the true homeland of this plant. That is, areas with a subtropical climate. True, some believe that it still comes from Egypt, where it was grown before our era.

Externally, the fig tree is a strong tree with smooth, light gray bark (it grows up to 10 meters) or a spreading shrub (usually its height is about 8 meters).

As a ficus genus, the fig tree is distinguished by large, rigid leaves (they are arranged alternately), which are dark green above and grayish below. In addition, they are always pubescent.

In the leaf axils there are inflorescences called syconia. They are hollow, pear-shaped and have holes at the top. Such holes are necessary for osblastophages, which pollinate trees. All inflorescences are divided into male (caprifiga) and female (fig).

Juicy and sweet fruits appear only from female inflorescences. They are characterized by a length of 8 centimeters, a width in a radius of up to 5 centimeters and a total weight of about 70 grams. Inside the fruit there are small seeds-nuts.

Regarding size and color, they directly depend on the variety. The most common types include yellow-green, dark blue, black, purple and yellow fruits.

A tree or shrub blooms quite often - up to three times a year. Inflorescences belonging to the male genus are formed from spring to late autumn. But for women - exclusively in summer and autumn.

Figs can be seen growing wild in India, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Afghanistan, Iran, Asia Minor, on the Black Sea coast and in the Krasnodar Territory.

In mountainous areas, figs prefer heights. Therefore, it can grow at altitudes from 500 to 2 thousand meters above sea level, on slopes and along the coastal line of high-mountain rivers.

Today it is customary to widely cultivate the fig tree. There are fig plantations in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Tunisia, America, Portugal, as well as the European southern part of Russia. The main thing is that the temperature does not drop below -12 degrees.

When growing, it is customary to use light, even “poor” soil (not black soil) and water the plant abundantly.

Figs are planted by seeds or petioles. You can try grafting it onto other fruit trees with sweet fruits. This option will additionally help prevent damage from pests and plant diseases.

It also became possible to plant figs in wide, deep pots. Thus, the tree will perform a decorative function, grow no more than 3 meters in height, and begin to produce fruits from the fifth year of life. In general, from a small tree you can get at least 90 fruits per year; it will delight the owner for up to 60 full years. True, for inexperienced gardeners there is a danger of wasp nests appearing on such trees, which are often formed in caprifages.

Figs beneficial properties and composition

Figs, the fruit of the fig tree or fig tree, have been known since ancient times for their beneficial properties. Avicenna also described its effect on the human body in his works. And all this thanks to its composition. This food product, although it contains a large amount of sugars, is still characterized by an excellent balance of various beneficial vitamins and microelements, including:

• Protein fractions (naturally of plant origin);
• Small amount of fat;
• Carbohydrates;
• Pectins;
• Fiber (or insoluble dietary fiber);
• Retinol (vitamin A);
• Beta-carotene;
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
• Tocopherol (vitamin E);
• B vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine, niacin);
• Minerals: sodium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium and iron.

In addition, fresh figs are a good dietary product. The total calorie content of fresh fruit is only 49 kilocalories per 100 grams of product. Therefore, it is advisable to consider it low-calorie.

Since figs are rich in vitamin C, it helps strengthen the immune system and helps protect against viruses.

Like many other fruits, this fruit contains many antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants play a very important role in maintaining health: they reduce the risk of vascular and heart diseases, inflammatory diseases, tumors and many other diseases.

Iron improves blood composition and oxygen delivery to all organs and cells of the body.

Figs benefits for the body

The benefits of consuming fresh fig fruits were known to ancient healers. Modern medicine, based on existing records, has somewhat classified all the benefits of the application. Now wineberry is recommended for the following purposes:

• Increased vitamin deficiency in the body;
• Strengthening the skeletal system;
• Giving the body vital energy and strength;
• Removing toxins;
• Improving immunity;
• Cure coughs and colds;
• Additional therapeutic treatment for kidney and liver diseases;
• Strengthening the cardiovascular system (lowering cholesterol levels, giving elasticity to blood vessels, stabilizing the work of the heart muscle);
• Increasing male potency and combating sexual impotence;
• Losing body weight and combating obesity;
• Improved brain activity;
• Quickly satisfy the feeling of hunger;
• Need to replace chocolate.

According to ancient legend, the Greeks used figs as a natural aphrodisiac. It was considered a sacred fruit that could improve reproductive functions. From a scientific point of view, this is easily explained: it contains minerals such as zinc, manganese, magnesium, which increase libido.

Medicinal properties of figs

This tasty fruit has not only purely gastronomic uses. It has been used to treat various diseases for over 5,000 years. Fig fruits have good:

Anti-inflammatory

Diuretic

Antipyretic

Expectorants

Disinfectants

properties. It is traditionally used to treat:

Colds;

Bronchitis;

Tracheitis;

Gastritis;

Eating 5-6 pieces of fruit will help normalize blood pressure and the functioning of the heart muscle.

Unripe fruits contain a substance called ficin, similar to milk. After squeezing this milk out of the fruit, it is used to lubricate calluses and is used to heal wounds, cuts, ulcers and other skin lesions, as it has antiseptic properties. By smearing your teeth with it, you can get rid of plaque.

To increase hemoglobin, eat 10 figs daily.

Fresh figs can help cope with toothache. To do this, cut the fruit in half, remove the pulp and apply it to the gums for 5-7 minutes. Repeat this 3-4 times and the toothache will gradually go away.

Eastern women use these fruits to whiten tooth enamel. To do this, you need to burn 2-3 large fruits over an open fire, collect the ashes and mix with glycerin. Use the resulting paste to brush your teeth 2 times a day. After a week, as a rule, the enamel becomes several shades whiter without any chemicals.

Fresh leaves of the tree are applied to burn wounds or to stop bleeding.

Fig tree decoction helps with gastritis and constipation. It is used to gargle for sore throats and colds.

A decoction of figs with milk is a proven remedy for treating coughs in children and adults. To prepare such a decoction, pour milk over several pieces of fruit and boil. Leave for 3 hours and drink warm.

In addition, the juice of fresh fig tree leaves is used in cosmetology, adding it to various cosmetics. It has excellent antiseptic properties and helps fight premature aging.

Figs during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy and feeding a child with breast milk, fresh fig tree fruits play an important role not only in the life of the mother, but also of the baby.

And this importance lies in the following positive characteristics:

How to eat figs correctly

For many consumers, fresh figs are not available. But even when it becomes possible to eat non-dried fruits, it is necessary to follow certain rules and not forget that unripe fruits are not eaten due to the presence of a poisonous and caustic milky milk called ficin.

In addition, the maximum daily number of fruits should not exceed three pieces. Otherwise, the rules are the same as for all other fruits, vegetables and berries. Before you eat figs, you need to wash them.

But most often, fresh figs are used to prepare various desserts, salads, as a filling for baked goods, and when cooking meat. Compotes, preserves and jams are made from these fruits, including in the form of preparations for the winter.

Fig jam is not only tasty, but also healthy. This jam will come to the rescue during colds.

For those who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, prepare a delicious mousse with cottage cheese and figs.

How to select and store figs

Due to the fact that we do not often come across a fresh fig tree, it is very important to understand how to choose such a fruit correctly.

Therefore, when purchasing, you should give preference to:

• Soft light yellow fruits (although it all depends on the variety);
• Large fruits of the same size;
• Fruits with sweet pulp (sourish pulp indicates immaturity or expiration date);
• Figs packed in separate cardboard cells (so they won’t get wrinkled);
• Fruits with smooth skin and without various types of damage (so they rot faster).

It is not customary to store fresh figs for a long time. The maximum period is two days (this is permissible, since the harvest is often harvested). When purchasing it, it is best to leave it in a cool, dark place or place it in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. But it’s better to eat it right away or make jam from it.

Contraindications

No matter how beneficial fresh figs are, unfortunately, doctors limit their consumption to the following categories of people:

• Figs are prohibited for those diagnosed with gout;
• Those who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should treat the fruit with caution;
• Despite recommendations for consumption during pregnancy, figs are excluded from the diet of those women who are rapidly gaining weight;
• It is not recommended to eat figs if you have diabetes.

Individual intolerance to the fruit is also a contraindication for consumption in order to avoid an allergic reaction.

Fig or fig tree, fig is healthy for most people and can provide great benefits to the body. When it’s in season, and here we sometimes sell fresh figs in the fall, buy this fruit. It will help cleanse the body, give tone, and simply be a pleasure to consume.

The benefits of figs for weight loss

Figs can be eaten both fresh and dried. High amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, along with high protein and low fat content make it one of the healthy foods. It can be added to yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies and other dishes.

Figs, on the one hand, even fresh, not to mention dried, are a nutritious product. But recently, nutritionists have been taking a closer look at it and recommending it in weight loss diets. Why? There are several reasons:

It is rich in fiber - soluble dietary fiber;

Contains several vital vitamins and minerals;

Good source of calcium;

Helps strengthen the immune system;

Removes harmful substances from the body;

It contains antioxidants.

All this together helps, first of all, to survive the purely psychological aspect of losing weight, when a person is forced to give up the usual food and the usual portions of food. Many people become depressed during this period and, as a result, “break down.”

The second reason is the composition of the fruit. Indeed, during a diet, which often consists of monotonous foods, and there are those who like to “sit” on mono-diets, figs can replenish the body with the necessary elements. In addition, fresh figs are not high-calorie foods.

Elena Malysheva talks about the benefits of figs, also known as figs or wineberries.

Description of figs:
Figs (fig, fig tree, fig tree, wineberry) have been known to people since ancient times. The fig tree is a long-lived tree and can bear fruit for up to 200 years. Figs are not only a very tasty product, but also, due to their healing properties, they are very beneficial for human health. There are about 400 species of figs that grow in the Caucasus, the Middle East, Crimea, the Mediterranean, Central Asia, European and southern Russia. Fig fruits are purple, reddish and yellowish. Fresh fruits have a very short shelf life, so after picking, the figs are immediately dried and dried.

Composition of figs:
Figs, like most figs, contain a very large amount of substances beneficial to human health. Fresh figs, depending on the variety, contain up to 24% sugars (mainly fructose and glucose, sucrose in small quantities), up to 80% water, as well as proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, organic acids, group B, macro and microelements - (by quantity potassium is second only to nuts), (more than in), phosphorus.

Calorie content of figs:
The calorie content of fresh figs is only about 50 kcal, but the calorie content of dried figs is much higher - about 250 kcal. Also, in the process of drying figs, the amount of proteins and sugars in it significantly increases.

Beneficial properties of figs:

• Figs help get rid of fatigue and overwork, and add strength to a person.

• Very useful for the brain and mental activity.

• Helps reduce blood cholesterol levels.

• Figs reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

• It is recommended to consume figs for people suffering from anemia.

• Figs are useful for thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.

• Figs are a good helper in the fight against colds; they have antipyretic and diaphoretic properties, and also help with sore throats and inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. The figs are poured hot, infused and this decoction is taken before eating.

• Figs are also recommended for use for bronchial asthma.

• Figs have diuretic properties.

• Figs (fig syrup and jam) have a mild laxative effect.

• Figs help with diseases of the liver and spleen.

• Fresh figs help lower blood sugar levels. But dried figs are contraindicated for people with diabetes.

• Calluses, abscesses and non-healing wounds are treated with figs by applying cut fruit or fig pulp overnight.

• Figs are good for the skin. You can use it to make masks, lotions, and facial infusions.

• Figs are good for. Masks are made from it to strengthen hair.

Figs contraindications:
Figs are contraindicated for pancreatitis, gout and acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Dried figs are also contraindicated for obesity and diabetes.

You can read about other products beneficial to human health in the section

And a little more about figs: