12 Nutritional Benefits of Fig Leaves

Fig is a nutritious and sweet mulberry fruit. It grows in a ficus tree and is a mild fruit that can be eaten in dried form. They can be eaten raw, cooked, baked and grilled. The leaves of the fig plants are edible and provide various health benefits. They can be transformed into delectable dishes. Fig leaves are large and were once used by

Adam and Eve to protect their privacy and are therefore known for their spiritual and mythical symbolism.

Consuming fig leaves can be beneficial to the body.

Some benefits:

The anti-diabetic property of fig leaves helps in controlling the blood sugar levels.

It lowers the amount of insulin in the body and helps in decreasing the amount administered via injections.

A study done showed the positive effect of decoction of fig leaves on the patient suffering from type 1 diabetes.⁽¹⁾

Boil four leaves of the fig in some filtered water and drink it as tea. It can be taken with breakfast in the morning. It can be taken every day.

It is important to check with the doctor before taking fig leaves as the patient might need less insulin, depending on the effectiveness of the medicine.

Along with anti-diabetic properties, fig leaves also help in lowering triglyceride levels.

Triglycerides are the storage form of fats in the body an increased level of which may increase the risk of obesity and heart disease.

Regularly consuming fig leaves help in lowering the levels of triglycerides and prevent many health risks.

Dried fig leaves contain omega 6, omega 3 and phenols all of which lower the chance of heart attack and coronary heart disease.

The antioxidant activity of fig leaves has phototoxic activity on human melanoma cells.

It has been studies that certain types of fig leaves are an excellent source of treatment for certain skin cancers.⁽²⁾

High blood pressure is one of the silent killers in adults.

Drinking fig leaves tea with black cumin seeds is helpful in lowering the blood pressure levels.

Fig leaves contain pectin which dissolves fiber. It improves metabolism and cleanses the residues of cholesterol pushing it out of the excretory system.

The rich content of fiber in fig leaves normalize the bowel movements and avoid constipation.

The fiber increases the mass to bowel movement thus pushing the stool out. It also prevents diarrhea and discomforting bowel movements.

The laxative effect of fig leaves increases the bathroom trips and also reduces hunger.

Being high in calories it is used for the weight loss treatment, as consuming a few fig leaves is enough to meet the daily nutritional requirement.

Consult a specialist for the right kind of dosage.

There have been multiple studies on the efficacy of fig leaves for wrinkles and it has shown successful results.⁽³⁾

The success rate is due to the antioxidants present in it. It is also found that the fig leaves contain an anti-collagenase property which has a significant effect on the wrinkle and freckles on the human skin.

After menopause, the hormone balance in a female is disturbed. This can affect the immune system’s ability to guard against free radicals, which is a major cause behind the growth of cancer.

Being rich in fiber and antioxidants, fig leaves form a line of defence and fight the free radical thus reducing the cancer risk.

Fig leaves tea is utilized for various respiratory diseases like bronchitis. It also reduces and avoids the bad effects in patients with asthma.

Boil few fig leaves in a half-liter of water, and add some sugar. Let the water boil for 20 minutes then strain the leaves and drink the tea.

Fig leaves have been used for decades, for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions such as sterility and erectile dysfunction.

It is regarded as strong fertility or sexual additive. Being rich in vitamins and minerals, it increases the energy and stamina required for sexual activity.

Mix 3-4 leaves of the fig in milk at night and consume the milk in the morning.

Being rich in calcium content, fig leaves strengthen the bones and reduce the risk of bone loss. The phosphorus content stimulates the bone creation and trigger redevelopment of bone after an injury.

Though fig leaves are very beneficial but may have allergic effects in some. The people allergic to mulberry should be aware of it as the stem can be irritating to them. The allergic reactions can cause severe pain and might take weeks to heal. Only the sap causes these reactions, not the leaves but anyone allergic should be careful while taking the leaves as well.