Fig , Anjir (Ficus Carica, Linn)

Properties:
Pectoral belonging to the thorax; applied to therapeutic agents which have good effect in respiratory diseases, laxative, emollient, energy giving, anti-boil, nutritive, tonic.

Phytochemicals:
Sugars, protein, salts, vitamin A, B, Coumarins and furo-coumarins etc.

Medicinal Uses:
1. A Fig is high in calories and is easy to digest and assimilate. The latex that oozes out of the freshy cut leaves contain chymase (a milky fluid with a coagulant action), lipase, amylase and protease. It also contains a diastasic enzyme which when applied over uncooked meat increases maturation process.
2. It also has an analgesic effect against insect sting and bites.
3. The leaves can be used in decoction from to condition hair.
4. Decoction of the young branches is an excellent pectoral (for respiratory problems).
5. Fig is a highly nutritious fruit. Since it does not contain any fibre, persons recovering from illness are specially advised to take it. It is a wholesome food which is easily digested.
6. It is also effective in removing gravel in the kidney or the bladder and also helps in the removal of the obstruction of the liver and spleen in sub acute cases.
7. The fruit is also given as a cure for piles and gout.
8. It is also beneficial in infantile liver, piles and diarrhoea.
9. Above all it is very useful in leucoderma treatment, patients are advised to take a god size of fig 3 times a day for a month and use juice of fresh leaves on the white spots 2/3 times in a day an dedtime. They can also use moistened leaves of chenopodium (Bethu) on the white spots.