Fig Syrup Juice

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Fig Syrup Juice

JoAnn Guest

Jan 20, 2007 15:51 PST

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Fig Syrup Juice

 

http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/usa/healthinformation/encyclope

dias/FigSyrupJuice.asp

 

 

 

Scientific Names: Ficus carica L. [Fam. Moraceae]

Forms: Syrup made from the juice and fruit of Ficus carica.

 

 

Figs, Ficus carica L. [Fam. Moraceae], are the fruit of a small bush

or tree native to Persia, Asia Minor, and Syria. Figs were first

proclaimed as a health tonic by the ancient King Mithrydates in 1551

B.C. and are frequently mentioned in the Bible. The well-known

herbalist, Gerard, believed that, " figs preserve us from all

pestilence " . Figs are nutritive, demulcent, emollient and aperient

(a mild laxative

used to treat headaches, constipation, indigestion and dyspepsia).

Figs and fig juice have laxative action, which is why figs are

indicated for treating constipation.

 

The British Pharmacopoeia formerly listed three fig laxative

preparations for treating children and persons with sensitive

systems.

 

In folk tradition, figs are applied as poultices for abscesses and

used for other skin abnormalities including warts, blisters, ulcers,

abnormal growths and boils. The Old Testament tells of King Hezekiah

who was " sick unto death " from " a boil " and was cured after the

prophet Isaiah called for " a lump of figs. "

Figs and fig extracts contain benzaldehyde, a compound that

according

to Japanese tests shrinks abnormal growths in humans. Figs also have

documented anti-ulcer, antibacterial and antiparasitic power.

 

Asian practitioners prescribe figs for infectious diarrhea and

intestinal inflammation. The latex of some Ficus species has been

traditionally used as a vermifuge in Central and South America.

 

It is accepted that the anthelmintic (anti-worm) activity is due to

a

protein-digesting fraction called ficin. However, studies done with

mice

showed high acute toxicity with hemorrhagic enteritis and incomplete

efficacy at eliminating worms and therefore researchers do not

recommend

using fig latex as a sole treatment for worms.

 

Compounds from the latex of Ficus carica, as well as synthetic

analogs,

have been shown to suppress " abnormal cell proliferation " ,

cancer.

 

Dr. James Duke in The Green Pharmacy lists figs for treating

amenorrhea,

corns and warts.

 

 

 

Active Ingredients:

Figs contain sugar of figs, 62.5%; fatty matter, 0.9%; extractive

with

chloride of calcium, 0.4; gum with phosphoric acid, 5.2; woody

fiber,

seeds, and water, 1.60 (P). Starch is abundant in the unripe fig.

The

milky juice of the common fig tree (Ficus Carica) contains a

digestive

ferment.

 

 

 

Suggested Amount:

Figs may be eaten liberally as a food, used in moderate amounts for

their medicinal properties, or used externally as a poultice. As a

laxative, eat one to several figs daily. Fig juice can also be taken

as

a laxative with the dosage of 1-2 tablespoons daily.

 

 

 

References:

Canal JR, Torres MD, Romero A, Perez C. A chloroform extract

obtained

from a decoction of Ficus carica leaves improves the

cholesterolaemic

status of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Acta Physiol

Hung.

2000; 87(1): 71-6.

 

de Amorin A, Borba HR, Carauta JP, Lopes D, Kaplan MA. Anthelmintic

activity of the latex of Ficus species. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Mar;

64(3): 255-8.

 

Rubnov S, Kashman Y, Rabinowitz R, Schlesinger M, Mechoulam R.

Suppressors of cancer cell proliferation from fig (Ficus carica)

resin:

isolation and structure elucidation. J Nat Prod. 2001 Jul; 64(7):

993-6.

 

Serraclara A, Hawkins F, Perez C, Dominguez E, Campillo JE, Torres

MD.

Hypoglycemic action of an oral fig-leaf decoction in type-I diabetic

patients. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 1998 Jan; 39(1): 19-22.

 

Zaynoun ST, Aftimos BG, Abi Ali L, Tenekjian KK, Khalidi U, Kurban

AK.

Ficus carica; isolation and quantification of the photoactive

components. Contact Dermatitis. 1984 Jul; 11(1): 21-5.

 

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets