We love discovering the many edible and medicinal benefits of plants. You probably already know that figs are highly nutritious, but do you know about fig leaves tea health benefits?
Did you know that the fig bush — Ficus carica Linn (Moraceae) — is amongst the oldest living plants, and one of the first plants cultivated by humans? Chances are good that such ancient plants, like elders amongst us, have lots to offer!
Since we have a half dozen fig bushes, we were delighted to discover some of the many fig leaves tea health benefits.
We have one very old fig tree that doesn’t produce fruit because it’s under the shadow of a very large and majestic poplar tree. But it’s full of beautiful healthy green fig leaves, so you can be sure we’ll be harvesting all of those before leaf drop in fall.
If you’re not yet growing figs, you may decide to after reading this. Meanwhile, you can buy fig leaves tea to enjoy.
Fig Leaves Tea Health Benefits
Scientifically Proven Fig Leaf Tea Benefits
- Anti-diabetic[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6130661/
- Antibacterial – studies show fig leaf extract has antibacterial effect on E. faecalis a bacterial concern with root canals procedures.[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5891850/
- Anti-inflammatory[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21644169/#:~:text=Abstract-,Ficus%20carica%20Linn.,piles%2C%20insect%20sting%20and%20bites.
- Anti-tumor[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6067789/
- Blood pressure – helps to stabilize blood pressure[5]https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalegram/volumes/volume-14/number-8-august/food-as-medicine-fig/food-as-medicine-fig/
- Cancer –
- breast cancer chemoprevention[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6897490/
- colorectal cancer – Leaves and latex extracts of Ficus carica showed the strongest antiproliferative activities.[7]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31472041/
- Cholesterol[8]https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalegram/volumes/volume-14/number-8-august/food-as-medicine-fig/food-as-medicine-fig/
- Diabetes[9]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9597370/[10]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6130661/
- Skin conditions[11]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25593393/
- Warts – the milky latex sap in fig leaves and stems[12]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6897490/
Anecdotal Traditional Medicinal Uses of Fig Leaves
These are ethnic and regional uses for fig leaves that may not yet have supporting scientific studies:
- Anti-bronchial:
- cough
- Respiratory
- sore throat
- Antispasmodic
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Gastrointestinal
- Colic
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Ficus carica has emerged as a good source of traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as anemia, cancer, diabetes, leprosy, liver diseases, paralysis, skin diseases, and ulcers. It is a promising candidate in pharmaceutical biology for the development/formulation of new drugs and future clinical uses.[13]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25017517/
SOURCE: Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ficus carica: a review
Fig Leaves Sap Warning
The milky white sap in the fig leaves and stems is a latex material used traditionally for the removal of warts. This means that