Fig
Scientific names: Ficus carica
Family: Moraceae
Alternate names: Al-Tin, Anjeer, Arbre à Cariques, Caricae Fructus, Common Fig, Feigen, Figs, Figue, Figuier, Figuier de Carie, Figuier Comestible, Figuier Commun, Figuier Domestique, Higuera
Actions: Anti-oxidative activity, Cytotoxicity, Hemostatic properties, Photosensitisation properties
Background
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.
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.
Safety Safety definitions
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.
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.
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.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
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.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using fig for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
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.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Insulin
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fig 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)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fig 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)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some 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).
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Fig leaf might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs that might increase sensitivity to sunlight: Fig might make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Using it with other products that also make the skin more sensitive to the sun might increase the risk for sunburn and other side effects.
Examples of supplements with this effect include bishop's weed, chlorophyll, khella, and St. John's wort.
Herbs that might increase sensitivity to sunlight: Fig might make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Using it with other products that also make the skin more sensitive to the sun might increase the risk for sunburn and other side effects.
Examples of supplements with this effect include bishop's weed, chlorophyll, khella, and St. John's wort.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per 5 g:
- Ficus carica (fruit) (Fig fruit)
- Taraxacum officinale 1 g
- Ceratonia siliqua (pod) powder (Carob) 0.9 g
- Hordeum vulgare (Barley) 0.9 g
- Natural flavours
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
- Xanthan gum
- Phoenix dactylifera (Date)
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 50 mg
- Panax ginseng ext. 50 mg
- Glycyrrhiza spp. ext. 50 mg
- Zingiber officinale ext.
- Piper nigrum ext.
$16.95
Discontinued by Morlife
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This monograph was last reviewed on 08/03/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 09/12/2014 00:07:54. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
