Fig (Anjeer)
Also known as
Latin : Ficus carica
English : Fig
Sanskrit : Anjeera
Hindi : Anjeer
Marathi : Anjeer
Tamil : -
Telugu : -
Malayalam : -
Kannada : Anjeera
Fig is a tree brought to India during the Moghul rule and has stayed The leaves are highly useful as feed for cattle.
How it looks�It is a medium sized tree with leaves rough on the upper surface and softer on the under surfaces. The fruits arise from the corners of the turn red in colour when ripe.
They are
many seeded. The latex of the tree is used medicinally.
What we use�Fruit latex
What it does�It is highly nutritive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative Figs are high sources of calcium, iron and copper. Zinc is also moderately present. Vit. A and C are present
in all forms of fig fruit while Vit. A is lost by 30% in dry ones.
Vit B complex and vit D are also present.
How we use it�
In
delayed periods�Boil the roots of the fig and take the decoction, filtered for a few weeks to set the cycle normal.
In
urinary stones and dysuria- Boil figs in water to get a decoction. Take an ounce or two of this decoction twice a day to set right urinary disorders and to melt small stones.
In
burn ulcers�Boil the bark of fig in water along with neem, mango and peepal barks. This decoction is very useful to wash and soothe ulcers caused by burns.
To
build resistance� Take a dry fig fruit or two everyday to build body resistance and for your natural daily requirement of vitamins.
In
anaemia�Due to the iron-rich content of fig, it is ideal to include it in one's diet in anaemia.
In
hyperacidity�The burnt ash of the fig fruit is highly basic in nature and can be consumed a tsp before meals to counter hyperacidity.
In
worm infestation�The enzyme ficin present in the fig latex is responsible for its anthelmintic activity and can be given with great benefit in worm infestations especially
ascaris and tricharus types.
In
leucoderma�Fig is used in white spots on skin as it contains a chemical "furocoumarin" which is responsible for this action. A person suffering from this disease is advised to
take fig in any form for 2/3 months.
In
amoebiasis�Sherbat or Ark anjir available in the market is used to cure amoebiasis.
