FIG TREE

Figs are rich in dietary fiber, minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium, potassium & chlorine & copper & are a good source of vitamins A, B, E & K.

The consumption of ripe figs relieves inflammation, acts as a laxative & purifies the blood.
It is recommended for people who suffer from anemia to add figs to their diet, as figs are good source of iron.
Figs are used to get rid of toxins & are considered as one of the foods with the most alkaline pH & therefore they balance the acidic conditions resulting from consuming a diet rich in meat & processed foods.

The health benefits of figs include its use as a treatment for sexual dysfunction, constipation, indigestion, piles, diabetes, cough, bronchitis & asthma.
It is also used as a quick & healthy way to gain weight back after suffering through an illness.

The fresh fig, roasted & cut in half, makes a good emollient poultice for boils & small tumors. 

The roasted figs have been used over gum boils & ulcers of the mouth.

Figs, especially dry figs, are rich in calcium which is one of the most important components in strengthening bones & reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
The dried figs are expectorant.

Fig juice is good for destroying intestinal parasites.

A decoction of dried figs is an excellent mouthwash for sore throat & aphthous complaints of the mouth.
For colds, the decoction is used to clear & soothe the bronchi of mucous.

Externally, the leaves has been considered a remedy for leprosy, sores, ulcers, scabs, bruises, dog bites, dropsy & epilepsy.
The infusion of the leaves together with plantain leaves is given for uterine hemorrhage, diarrhea & dysentery.
The juice of the leaves & stems is applied locally over boils & sores.

Chew 1-2 tender leaves & leaf buds frequently & wash the mouth with warm water.
The stems & leaves contain an acrid milky juice that can be used to remove warts.
A syrup made of the leaves or green fruit of the fig tree is good for hoarseness.

For mumps, wrap your throat in fig leaves.

The latex of the tree is efficiently used for toothache.
It is introduced into the cavity by drops.

For arthritic swellings, apply the fresh latex from the tree on the affected areas.

Fig sap is commonly prescribed for ringworm, skin irritations, warts & insect bites.

Use the milk from fig leaves for eczema.

Apply the juice from the bruised fig leaf directly to the ringworm.
The juice from an unripe or green fig can also be applied.
A poultice made from green fig leaves will cure ringworm.
Alternatively, fig leaves & milk ingested is also said to be a cure.

Scorpion bites: Apply fig juice.
For a snake bite first burn or cut out the wound, then wash it with seawater, then with lye & vinegar & finally squeeze the juice of wild figs & onion onto it.

PRECAUTIONS:

Eating too many figs can cause diarrhea.
Some people are allergic to figs, or certain chemical components within them & the resulting allergic reactions can be mild to severe.
It is best not to consume too many figs in the week or two leading up to a surgery, because it can occasionally cause bleeding in the digestive tract in sensitive individuals.

RECIPES:

Ripe figs are best eaten out of the hand.
Figs can be topped with lemon mascarpone.
Wrap whole or halved figs in strips of paper thin prosciutto for a simple starter.
For an easy dessert, pass a platter of perfectly ripe fig halves, whole toasted almonds or pecan or walnut halves & cheeses.

Purée fresh figs with balsamic vinegar, a little olive oil & salt & pepper.
Add enough water to create a pourable consistency.
Serve with poultry or pork.

Sauté fig halves cut side down just until blistered & slightly browned.
Finish with a squeeze of orange juice or a tablespoon of sweet wine & drizzle with the pan sauce.

Poach whole or halved figs in a lightly spiced syrup just until tender.
Use a 1:2 ratio of sugar & liquid, plus seasonings.
Try rosemary sprigs, strips of orange zest & a cinnamon stick; or the zest & juice of a lemon, half a vanilla bean & either star anise or cardamom pods. Make the syrup first, then poach the figs.
Remove the figs after a few minutes & then add back after the syrup is cool, so the figs don't get overly soft.

Fig Chutney:

2/3 cup dried figs, halved
1/4 cup minced sweet onion
1 tsp minced garlic
3/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 orange, peeled & chopped roughly
1 tsp chopped rosemary
Heat the olive oil at medium high heat until it starts to smoke.
Add the onions & cook until they’re lightly browned.
Add the garlic & after 30 sec add the orange juice & vinegar.
Bring the mixture to a simmer & loosen any sticky brown bits.
Toss in the figs & cook for 2 minutes or until they start to plump.
Remove from heat & add the orange & rosemary.
Leave to cool.
Fig chutney goes well with your favorite curries, as well as with more simple dishes like sautéed chicken breasts.
This recipe uses dried fruits, which are high in antioxidants & fiber.

Spiced Baked Figs with Ginger Mascarpone:

8 figs, halved
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp clear honey
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp orange juice
2 star anise
shortbread fingers, to serve
For the ginger mascarpone
1 ball stem ginger, very finely chopped
1 tbsp ginger syrup from the jar
150 g mascarpone
Heat oven to 200C.
Lay the figs in an ovenproof roasting dish, dot over the butter & drizzle with honey.
Sprinkle over the sugar & cinnamon, then pour over the orange juice & mix lightly.
Nestle the star anise among the figs & roast for 15-20 minutes.
When ready to serve, mix the ginger & syrup through the mascarpone.
Place 4 fig halves, drizzled with syrup, on a plate with a dollop of mascarpone & some shortbread fingers.

Anemia: Soak 2-3 dried figs overnight in 1 cup water. Eat them along with milk the next morning & continue for a month

Diabetes: Eat 1 tsp seeds of the fig, separated from the pulp, along with 1 tsp honey every day for a few weeks.

Inflammation of spleen: Eat 2-3 figs along with 1 cup curd 2 x day for a few weeks.

Constipation: Take 2-3 figs after each meal.

Kidney &/or bladder stones: Consume 1 cup juice of fresh figs frequently.
Boil 2 small fig pieces in 1 cup water.
Take 2 - 3 times daily for a few weeks.

Boils, small tumors: Roast a fresh fig & cut into half.
Make a poultice & apply.

Early stages of Chickenpox: Include figs in your diet every day.

Dry cough, liver problem & physical weakness: 
Soak 2 - 3 dried figs overnight in 1 cup water.
Eat them along with 1 tbsp honey the next morning.
Continue for a month.

Abscess: A poultice made of barley meal or flour boiled in vinegar & honey & a few dry figs put in them, dissolved all hard imposthumes.
Onion & figs beaten together help to ripen & break abscesses.

Childbirth, delivery, labor: Figs should be eaten before childbed so that the delivery will be easier.

Cough syrup: Mash mustard seed in a cupful of stewed figs, add a little water, cook, strain & drink when needed.
Another cough syrup recipe: Boil 500 g of figs, 500 g of dates, 50 g of sage, 4 l of water until 1 l remains, strain, bottle & keep for use.

Cough medicine: 3 lemons; 1/2 cup flax seed; handful mullein leaves or boneset.
Boil for 3 hours in 2 l of water; strain & add 200 g honey, 500 g sugar & 500 g figs boiled in wild flax seed.
Boil the boneset in a cloth.

Fresh figs are recommended for those who suffer from bladder or kidney stones:
Boil 6 figs in 1 cup of water.
Drink daily for a month.
This is not recommended for diabetics & for those who have spleen & liver problems.

BEAUTY:

Hair Mask for Baldness & Dandruff:

mix 2 egg yolks with powdered dry fig leaves.
Rub this paste onto the hair.
Wash out with shampoo after ca 10-15 min.

Soak dry figs overnight & use the water as a wash for spots on the face.
Same water mixed with a little vinegar & salt is recommended for dandruff & as a cure for warts.
The application of fresh latex is also a good remedy for warts.

MAGIC:

Fig Tree is a tree of fertility, strength, energy & health.
Dried figs are used in fertility/love spells- excellent ingredient in spell bags.
If eaten fresh, the fig will help aid in conception & impotence.
If you touch a fig leaf when you are pregnant, you will have a baby boy.

Growing a fig plant indoors brings good luck & abundance to the room in which it is placed.
If the fig is grown in the bedroom it helps bring sleep, in the kitchen it aids with the knowing the family will never go hungry, anywhere else it will bring luck & protection.
If placed on the doorstep before leaving it will ensure you will arrive home safely.
Having someone bite into a fig while you are holding it makes them instantly infatuated with you.

The ancients claimed that if you tied a mad bull to a fig tree he would quickly become tame & gentle. Also the fig tree is never hurt by lightning.
The tree is still sacred in India, China & Japan because under it the monk Gautama received his divine illumination & thus became the Buddha.
The Muslims call the fig the “Tree of Heaven” & revere it because Mohammad swore by it.
Sacred to the Greeks & Romans, the fig was said to be a gift to the people from the Greek god of wine & agriculture, Dionysus, the fig was included along with the phallus as a fertility symbol.
According to legend, Rome was built at the spot where a fig tree caught Romulus & Remus as they floated down the river Tiber in a basket.

Fig love spell:
Carve your initials into the fig & then have the one you want to fall in love with you eat the fig.
Dipping it first in honey to sweeten someone towards you & then having them eat it might enhance the spell.