Figs - benefits, harm and contraindications. Figs: benefits and harm to the body, composition. Treatment, folk recipes

Hello, dear friends. Today I want to talk to you about figs. In fact, figs are one of my favorite dried fruits. Most often, we sell dried figs, but finding fresh ones is very rare. Last year we were visiting friends in Crimea and saw figs growing on a tree. Unfortunately, figs don’t grow here. We also relax with a camera, in case we meet something interesting on our way. The article will contain photos taken last summer in Crimea. Today in the article I will tell you the beneficial properties and contraindications of figs, treatment with figs, how many figs you can eat per day, how to eat figs, how to choose and how to store them.

Unfortunately, fresh figs do not last long. We bought a kilogram of fresh figs, didn’t eat them right away, but the next day the figs were already very soft. Therefore, immediately after harvesting, fig fruits are dried and dried in the sun. They say that the fruits of high-quality dried figs are tastier and healthier than fresh figs. Now dried figs are available to everyone. Buying figs is absolutely not a problem.

The calorie content of dried figs is 230 kcal per 100 grams of product. The calorie content of fresh figs is 50 kcal per 100 grams of product. Fresh figs are lower in calories than dried figs.

Dried figs contain up to 70% sugar, and fresh fruits contain about 23%. Figs are consumed both fresh and dried and used to make jam and preserves. Figs can be added to salads; they go well with meat and fish. Various desserts are prepared from figs.

Let's talk about the beneficial properties of figs, since figs are really not only tasty, but also very beneficial for our health.

Figs Beneficial features

In addition to the beneficial properties, figs also have contraindications, let’s talk about them.

Figs Contraindications

• Figs are contraindicated for allergies or individual intolerances.
• If you have gout, you should not use it due to the large amount of oxalic acid.
• Figs are contraindicated in acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Figs should be eaten with caution if you have pancreatitis.
• If you have diabetes, you should not consume it if you have diabetes or obesity, as it is rich in sugar. We have already written about treatment and prevention with folk remedies.

I really love figs, as they are ideal for a snack and perfectly satisfy hunger. Figs are better than any candy for me. I even try to drink tea without sugar, but with dried fruits. I add figs to oatmeal; you can also add nuts and any other dried fruits to oatmeal. You can also add berries to create a hearty, healthy and wonderful breakfast.

How many figs can you eat per day?

Dried figs can be bought in markets and stores all year round. But dried figs are quite a high-calorie product. You can consume about 3-4 pieces of it per day for health benefits. Figs give our body a feeling of satiety, energy and the vitamins our body needs.

And this is how figs grow on a branch in my friends’ garden in Crimea. The tree was still young and there were literally a couple of figs on it. But, nevertheless, I managed to photograph it, this is how it grows.

What does fig taste like?

The taste of fresh figs is sweetish, watery, one might even say herbaceous, delicate, light. I don’t know about anyone, but I like the taste of both fresh and dried figs. Dried figs are of course very sweet.

How to eat figs correctly

Figs are eaten without the skin, peeling it straight from the tail. But, in Crimea, a friend of mine told me that they eat figs with the skin, only the figs need to be washed first. You can also eat figs with a spoon; cut the fruit in half and eat the middle with a teaspoon.

Treatment with figs

Figs for cough. Figs are very good for coughs. To prepare, take a glass of cold milk, add a few figs and leave for half an hour. Then boil the milk and figs for about two minutes. Infuse milk with figs for 20 minutes in a sealed container. You need to use this remedy half a glass 3-4 times a day before meals. Figs boiled in milk can be eaten. Milk must be warm. This remedy should be taken for 7-10 days. Figs with milk are used for colds, bronchitis, and sore throat.

Figs for loss of voice. If you lose your voice, you will need 6 pieces of figs (dried), boil in two glasses of milk until the mixture is reduced by half. Take this remedy three tablespoons three times a day.

Figs for heart disease. For treatment and prevention, you need to eat about 2-3 pieces of figs daily, since figs contain a lot of potassium. Figs help normalize heart rhythm, prevent the formation of blood clots in the lumens of blood vessels, and reduce the risk of developing arterial hypertension. Including figs in the diet is useful for bradycardia and tachycardia.

Figs for anemia. Figs should be included in your diet if you have low hemoglobin in the blood, as figs contain iron. Figs also stimulate the formation of red blood cells. You will learn how to increase hemoglobin in the blood using folk remedies and products from my article ““. The article contains useful information, I recommend that you read it.

Figs for constipation. If you suffer from constipation, then treatment with figs is perfect for you. Include figs in your diet; it is recommended to eat 3-4 of them daily. Due to the presence of fiber, figs improve intestinal function and remove waste and toxins. You can take a decoction of dried figs.

Figs for immunity. When consumed regularly, figs help strengthen the immune system. Since it contains vitamin A, C, B1, B2, B6, PP, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium. Figs help improve the health of the body, increase attention, efficiency, and endurance. I most often add figs to a vitamin mixture of dried fruits. Figs, raisins, dried apricots, dried cranberries, walnuts, prunes, honey, lemon. I buy dried fruits and walnuts in equal quantities, I also take one lemon with zest, put everything through a meat grinder and pour it with honey, mix it, put it in glass jars and put it in the refrigerator. I take a tablespoon several times a day before meals.

How to choose and store figs

When choosing a fig, I pay attention to its appearance; it should be free of plaque, mold and foreign odors. If the seller allows, the figs can be broken in half. Inside, dried figs contain many small seeds; there should also be no worms or mold inside, this is also an important fact. Dried figs can be stored in a dark and cool place for up to six months.

When it comes to fresh figs, it is best to choose fruits that are not damaged and without dents, but the fruits should not be too hard when pressed. You can also smell the fruits; they should be free of foreign odors. If the figs smell like sour or fermented wine, then the figs are not suitable for consumption.

It’s not for nothing that figs are also called “wine berries,” since their fruits spoil very quickly, so be careful. Fresh figs don't last very long, so eat the soft ones first. Ripe fruits are not only tasty, but also well absorbed by our body. In addition, they have beneficial properties. But, before eating figs, read the contraindications.

If you use figs for treatment, then write below in the comments the recipes that you use with figs and for what diseases. This is how nature gives us so many plants, fruits, vegetables, fruits to preserve and maintain our health.

And if you still have questions about figs, I recommend that you watch a video about the beneficial properties of figs and about treatment with figs. Be healthy.

The fruits and leaves of figs have long been used as a medicine in folk medicine. Fresh fig fruits are recommended for the rapid restoration of cardiac activity when the heart muscle is weakened, as a hematopoietic agent for anemia, and also for reducing excess acidity in gastrointestinal diseases. It is used for hypokalemia and diseases of the cardiovascular system, when potassium is also needed.

Fig fruits and condensed fruit juice are used for cardiovascular diseases, anemia and loss of strength. The thick extract is a dark brown pulp with an aromatic odor and pleasant taste. It has a moderate diuretic effect. For example, in patients with decompensation of the cardiovascular system, urine output increased up to 50%. The recommended dose is -100 g once a day (in the morning). Since the drug is very nutritious and has no side effects, it can be taken for a long time.

Fig fruits also have an expectorant and softening effect. In Renaissance Europe, there was a whole collection of fruits used for “breast diseases.” In our modern understanding, these are bronchitis, tracheitis and even tuberculosis and pneumonia. This nutritional expectorant composition included equal parts of dry fruits of grapes, figs, jujube and dates. The calorie content of this mixture, as you can see, is huge, but for debilitating and long-term illnesses this is exactly what is necessary.

In Central Asia, they are boiled with milk and used for coughs, whooping cough, and also as an emollient for chest pain, throat pain and colds. In French medicine they use cough syrup. It is prepared as follows: 500 g of figs are boiled in 1 liter of water. After they are boiled, add 250 g of honey and (optional) 250 ml of good cognac. Mix everything and store it in the refrigerator in a well-closed container. Use 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day for coughs and other colds.

And here is a recipe for “coffee” from figs, which is prepared as follows: dry fruits ground into powder are brewed like real coffee at the rate of 1-2 teaspoons per 1 glass of water. Drink warm in small sips for colds. This drink got its name from its coffee-like color. The invigorating effect here, of course, is not provided by the chemical composition, but there are quite a lot of calories.

For gastritis in Serbian folk medicine the following recipe is recommended: For 1 liter of olive oil, take 20 g of St. John's wort herb and 10 pcs. fig fruits (chopped), leave for 40 days; In the morning, drink the white of one egg, and half an hour later, take a tablespoon of the prepared mixture.

In medicine, preparations based on dried fruits are used, primarily prunes and figs, which improve intestinal motility in elderly and senile people suffering from constipation due to this reason. The combined drug "Re-gulax" was produced in the GDR in the form of fruit cubes of 8.4 g each, containing fig pulp, senna leaves and fruits, and vaseline oil. The domestic complex preparation “Kafiol” is produced in the form of dark brown briquettes with a peculiar fruity smell and taste. This preparation also contains the pulp of figs and plums, leaves and fruits of senna (cassia aculifolia) and petroleum jelly. It has a laxative effect and is prescribed orally for constipation, especially persistent ones, 1-2 briquettes per night, and the briquettes are chewed and washed down with a small amount of water. In children's medical practice, syrup from fig fruits is used as a mild laxative.

At home, for constipation, the following recipe is recommended. Take 0.5 kg of dried figs and plums, add 3 liters of water, boil until reduced to 2.5 liters; drink 100 g before and after meals and eat a few plums and pieces of figs. Take the rest of the broth and grounds little by little throughout the day and the next day. Option: boil 0.5 kg of figs for 30 minutes in 1.5 liters of water, drink 100 g of this decoction every 2 hours, and eat the figs.

Contraindications. Figs contain a lot of fiber, so you should not use them for acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and because of the sugar - for diabetes. It is also contraindicated for gout, since it contains a lot of oxalic acid (up to 100 mg%).

The diuretic properties of figs have long been known. It was used to improve digestion and as a means of increasing urination, especially for gout, which is associated with impaired uric acid metabolism.

Currently, in folk medicine, decoctions and jams from figs are taken as a diaphoretic and antipyretic. A decoction of fruit fruits boiled in milk or water (2 tablespoons of dry fruit fruits per 1 glass of milk or water) is considered a good gargle for sore throat, hoarseness and dry cough, and as an expectorant - for oral administration for tracheitis and bronchitis. The same decoction is drunk half a glass 2-4 times a day for kidney and urinary tract diseases. Sometimes it is recommended to drink a decoction of figs for gastritis and constipation. Externally, the decoction is used as a poultice for abscesses, gumboils, etc. Sometimes, to speed up ripening, fresh or soaked dried fruits are applied to the abscesses.

Steamed fruit is an excellent compress for abscesses on the gums and gumboils. Similarly, half of the steamed fruit can be applied to any suppuration, boil or carbuncle.

Recently, figs have been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. "Ficin" has a fibrinolytic effect and is used to treat thrombosis. From the milky juice of the leaves, the drug “Furoden” is obtained, recommended for the treatment of leukoderma.

An infusion of fig leaves helps with bronchial asthma and kidney diseases. An aqueous decoction of the leaves of young branches is used as an anthelmintic, and fresh fig leaves are applied to boils. In Armenian folk medicine, a tincture of leaves with vodka is drunk for malaria.

In medical practice, the drug “Psoberan” from fig leaves is approved for use. It contains a mixture of furocoumarins and has a photosensitizing ability (increases the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet rays), increasing pigment formation in the skin. Prescribed for the treatment of skin diseases - vitiligo and alopecia. Available in tablets and in the form of an alcohol solution.

In Armenian folk medicine, for coughs and diarrhea, a decoction of dried fig tree leaves is used. In Georgia, a decoction of a mixture of fig and nettle leaves is given for dysentery. The milky juice of figs is used to treat wounds and remove acne. Fig seeds are known as a laxative - for constipation, a single dose of 10-15 g of seeds is prescribed.

Photo: Rita Brilliantova, Maria Telnova

Fresh and dried fruits are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Figs are often used to strengthen the body; the benefits and harm to the body are incomparable. Negative consequences from eating the fruit are extremely rare, and the beneficial properties can help the body in the fight against various ailments.

What are the benefits of figs? Figs are very beneficial for the human body suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Due to the high potassium content, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, and the heart muscle works more stably, which allows not only to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, but also to prolong a person’s life.

It should also be noted that problems with blood vessels and large veins lead to various kinds of diseases in both women and men, which can also be solved by eating figs that are beneficial for health.

What are the benefits of figs during pregnancy?

Eating fruits during pregnancy is permissible in the absence of individual intolerance to the product. The vitamins and minerals contained in the fruits will allow a woman to refuse to use vitamin complexes of synthetic origin and provide the developing fetus with everything necessary for its growth and full development.

Important! Figs are most beneficial when eaten fresh; dried fruits can cause excessive weight gain for a young mother.

The benefits of figs during lactation

Important! Excessive consumption of figs during breastfeeding can provoke the development of increased gas formation and colic in the newborn. This can also be dangerous for women, as lactostasis may develop.

The benefits of figs for potency in men

Vascular obstruction, heart failure and high blood pressure can lead to dysfunction of the male genital organs. In order to prevent the pathological process, it is necessary to consume figs with milk and saffron daily. This mixture is designed specifically for men.

Eating the fruit helps relieve a man from physical and emotional stress, and also prevents the development of heart attacks, strokes and thrombosis.

Fruit for children

In the absence of individual intolerance, children can be given sweet fruits from the age of 6 years. The healing qualities of the fruit will help support an actively growing child’s body and give strength to acquire new skills and knowledge.

Folic acid contained in the product contributes to the normal functioning of children's immune and nervous systems, as well as the hematopoietic system.

How much fruit should you eat? To provide all the necessary nutrients, it is enough for a child to eat a couple of figs per day.

What are the benefits of dried figs?

Many people like to eat dried figs; the benefits of this product are the same as those of fresh ones, only they should be consumed in moderation. Due to the reduced amount of moisture, dried fruit has a high calorie content and a higher sugar content.

Eating several dried fruits daily can significantly slow down the progression of cataracts and other eye diseases.

Decoctions prepared from dried fruits help fight coughs of various etiologies in both adults and children over 6 years of age. The usefulness of the drink is complemented by its pleasant taste.

Dried figs benefits

Dried figs (the benefits of the product are no lower than fresh ones) have a high concentration of antioxidants that prevent the development of cancer cells. Dry fruits are tied to disturbing areas of the skin and left for some time in order to slow down or prevent the process of malignancy.

Completely dried fruits do not lose their beneficial properties and can be used for the same purposes as dried or fresh fruits. But you should take into account the high calorie content of the product and consume it in moderation.

Fig jam - benefits for humans

Figs are a source of fast carbohydrates, which allows you to quickly satisfy your hunger. Fig jam allows you to get a quick feeling of fullness, as well as:

1. Will get rid of colds. The high content of vitamin C helps strengthen the body, normalize the functioning of the immune system and give the body strength to fight viruses and infections. Drinking fig tea during a cold helps lower body temperature and speed up the healing process.
2. Remove excess fluid from the body. The pronounced diuretic effect of the fruit allows you to remove excess fluid from the body, relieving swelling. Systematic consumption of fig jam allows you to get rid of urolithiasis and other pathologies of the urinary system.
3. For weight loss. Eating sweet fruits instead of confectionery will allow you to get rid of those disturbing extra pounds without denying yourself the consumption of goodies.
4. Get rid of constipation. Fig extract is used in herbal medicines to combat constipation. Fig jam has the same properties, is not addictive and can effectively fight even chronic constipation. An infusion for the intestines can also be prepared from fresh fruits.
5. To get a boost of energy. The substances contained in fruits help give the body energy and lift your mood. Jam syrup added to tea will improve the functioning of the immune system, normalize digestion and prevent the development of depressive conditions.

Interesting fact! Jam syrup is used not only as food, but also as a local remedy for inflammatory processes on the skin and muscle pain.

Sweet fruit, how to eat it?

Figs can be used in different ways and each recipe will benefit the body. Most often the product is used for food, but in some cases it is used to prepare products for external use.

Ways to use figs:

1. Fig leaves for itchy skin. A decoction prepared from fig leaves helps get rid of allergic itching on the skin.
2. Dried figs for the thyroid gland. To restore the functioning of the thyroid gland, you need to brew 3 fruits with a glass of boiling water overnight, and in the morning drink the infusion and eat one fruit before each meal.
3. Fig infusion for kidney disease. Due to its diuretic properties, figs soaked in boiling water overnight can normalize kidney function. Both berries and infusion should be consumed.
4. Antiseptic. The pulp of fresh fruits should be applied to warts, ulcers or inflamed areas of the skin or mucous membranes. This allows you to relieve inflammation, get rid of external defects and eliminate pain.
5. Butter with figs. What are the benefits of figs for skin and hair? Figs in olive oil can be used as a remedy for irritations on the skin and scalp. To do this, it is enough to infuse crushed fruits in oil for several days.
6. Syrup. To prepare the syrup, you need to boil the fruit with sugar for some time. You can also eat the fruits themselves, but the syrup has a more powerful effect. The medicine helps to get rid of pain during monthly female bleeding and diseases of the urinary system. The syrup helps children cope with colds, constipation and loss of appetite. How to use during menopause? Daily consumption of several spoons of syrup can eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of menopause.
7. Figs with milk. Figs with milk for coughs are the most effective way to cure the disease even when taking pharmacological drugs is contraindicated, for example, during pregnancy. One fruit boiled in a glass of milk effectively fights cough in both children and adults. This drink also helps fight anemia and general exhaustion of the body.

Before being treated with the recipes presented, you should visit a specialist.

Negative consequences

Fruits have a beneficial effect on the body, but with an irrational approach, they can cause harm to the body. People who have:

• inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
• gout;
• pancreatitis.

In some cases, when consuming the fruit, an allergic reaction may occur. Allergies are more often observed in preschool children, so children under 6 years of age should be added to the contraindications.

How to take if you have diabetes? Due to the high sugar content, you should not consume the fruit if you have diabetes, but you can use fig seed oil, as it has medicinal properties.

Proper consumption of fruits will help support the body even in difficult periods. If unpleasant symptoms occur while eating the fruit, you should consult a doctor for treatment.

This tree is mentioned in the Bible: Adam and Eve, expelled from paradise, covered it with its leaves; Christ cursed it, not finding fruit on it. But now we all enjoy finding these juicy, sweetish fruits on store shelves. Figs are the same Fig tree from the Garden of Eden, the same Fig tree from the biblical parable. When eating fresh or dried fruits of this extraordinary tree, few people think about how important figs are for our health: everyone, and especially women, should know the beneficial properties and contraindications of this fruit.

Useful properties of figs

All the benefits of figs lie in their amazing chemical composition. Each of the substances contained in it, entering the human body, does an enormous, exorbitant job there, debugging the vital functions of many systems and organs. Since the fruit comes to our table in different forms, it is quite natural to ask why fresh figs are useful and whether they lose their properties when dried. Indeed, there is a difference.

1. Chemical composition and beneficial properties of fresh figs:

• Glucose makes figs an excellent antitoxic agent;
• fructose enhances the breakdown of alcohol in the blood, prevents the formation of plaque on teeth, controls blood sugar levels;
• organic acids promote the regeneration of cells and tissues, so the benefits of figs for women are obvious: they have excellent rejuvenating properties;
• tannins are known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing effects;
• proteins activate all metabolic processes in the body and are building materials for cells;
• fats are the main source of energy for humans;
• vitamins: carotene, B1, B3, PP, C - nourish cells, strengthen the immune system;
• minerals: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus - active participants in metabolic processes;
• The calorie content of fresh figs is only 49 kcal, so the product is used in various weight loss programs.

2. Chemical composition and beneficial properties of dried figs:

• the content of glucose and fructose in dried fruits increases 1.5 times, so they remove toxins from the body several times faster than fresh ones;
• the protein increases almost 5 times, so the benefit of dried figs is that a person receives much more energy;
• the calorie content of dried figs increases to 214 kcal;
• all other useful substances remain intact even in dried fruits.

All these beneficial properties of figs make this fruit simply irreplaceable in some cases. Knowing its unique composition, doctors and nutritionists have long recommended using it for certain diseases and cosmetic problems. Therefore, every woman who strives to preserve her youth and beauty should know the benefits of figs.

The use of figs in medicine and cosmetology

The unique medicinal properties of figs make it possible to use fresh fruits as an adjuvant for the treatment and prevention of many quite serious diseases. Moreover, they are used not only as part of traditional medicine: doctors very often prescribe figs to their patients in the following cases:

• for food poisoning and intoxication of the body, for diarrhea and dysentery;
• as a prophylactic agent in the fight against diabetes and caries;
• against fatigue, as a natural energy drink;
• for stress, nervousness, depression;
• to strengthen the immune system and against vitamin deficiency;
• as a diaphoretic and antipyretic;
• for anemia, since figs promote hematopoiesis;
• in the treatment of thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and various cardiovascular diseases;
• for chest pain;
• for coughs, colds and bronchial asthma, rinsing with infusion of fig fruits is recommended;
• the same infusion can be used for compresses in the treatment of abscesses of various origins, calluses, open wounds and tumors that do not heal for a long time (the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of tannins in the fruit are triggered);
• doctors prescribe it as a diuretic for nephritis;
• It also helps with whooping cough.

Dry fruits also have all of the above properties, and are also used as an effective means for losing weight, as they have a laxative effect. Fig leaves are used as a raw material for medicines, which is the basis of the drug “Psoberan”, used to treat baldness and vitiligo. Fig fruits can be found in the laxative "Kafiol". The fruits, brewed in milk or boiling water, are used as a remedy for coughs and sore throats. In pharmacies you can buy fig syrup - it tastes good and has very useful properties:

• improves appetite and digestion;
• relieves spasms of muscle rheumatism;
• improves skin condition;
• helps with colds of the female genital organs.

The beneficial properties of figs for women have also been used in cosmetology:

• improves skin condition: smoothes wrinkles, makes it elastic and toned;
• nails stop peeling and become strong and durable;
• strengthens hair, prevents hair loss, fragility and split ends;
• has cleansing properties, exfoliating dead cells and providing cells with full breathing;
• moisturizes the skin;
• eliminates acne, pimples.

Therefore, in modern cosmetology, fig extract is so actively used to create a whole line of masks, creams, lotions, tonics, healing and very effective hair cosmetics and skin care products. The pulp of this fruit makes excellent homemade anti-aging masks.

So no matter how you turn this fruit, it’s pure pleasure. But this is only at first glance. Considering its powerful effect on the body, it is worth remembering that figs are beneficial and harmful in one shell. You need to know the contraindications for its use so as not to harm your health.

Contraindications and harm

There are not as many contraindications for eating figs as there are indications, but they still exist:

• pancreatitis;
• diabetes;
• inflammation of the stomach (gastritis, colitis, enteritis);
• gout;
• obesity.

With these diseases, figs can be eaten, but in very limited quantities.

Now you know whether figs are healthy and whether they are contraindicated for you. To make your skin glow with youth and beauty, your hair to fall in a thick cascade over your shoulders, and worries about health to leave you, do not neglect the fruits of the humble fig tree. It, like a life-giving source, will nourish your body with the necessary substances and will not allow it to get lost in its work.

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