One of the oldest known plant is the fig tree. Growing up, we were told many biblical stories that have their connections with the fig tree. One of such stories was the one involving Jesus himself laying a course on a fig tree because it could not produce fruits. Those are wonderful stories that left us wondering what fig might be. But much more important is the varied health benefits of fig leaves tea, which you shall read about in this article. So sit tight and enjoy the journey into the world of fig leaves.
How do you eat figs?
Where can you buy figs?
How many figs can you eat a day?
Although there are no known side of effects of eating as many figs as you like, many nutritionists are of the opinion that three figs per day is an ideal.
The best way to enjoy your figs is to eat it fresh. If it is dry, you should soak it in a clean water overnight.
Are fig leaves edible?
Whereas fig fruits are nutritious and packed with several components, the leaves has been extensively researched and supported the age long tradition medicinal values. The leaves are used in making herbal tea. Some people usually add the root powder in the tea making process. This is because of the numerous benefits of drinking fig leaf or root tea, or as a decoction.
Health benefits of fig leaves tea
Both fresh and dried fig leaves are richly packed with bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin, epicatechin, coumarin, ferulic acid, lupeol acetate, heptanol, oleanolic acid and gallic acid. But these are not the only compounds present in the plant.
Fig leaves tea promotes prevents constipation
We mostly experience constipation when we eat foods that are lacking in fiber for too long. The discomfort which constipation causes in our body and general posture are draining. To overcome constipation, make it a habit of drinking at least half a cup of fig leaves tea after dinner. This will help your bowels movement and ease the passage of stool.
A good way to prevent cancer
Fig leaves tea is your call-upon remedy for preventing the growth of cancer cells. Fig leaves are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that work to ensure no unusual cell growth is allowed to survive.
compounds such as quercetin, lupeol, rutin, and oleanolic acids are strong cancer inhibitors. According to studies, quercetin and its derivatives possess strong anticancer, and anti-angiogenesis activities. Quercetin significantly suppressed GC cell viability, migration and invasion activities via decreasing expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR) proteins, which are strongly associated with GC metastasis.
here is also evidences to suggest that rutin exerts anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and suppression of lipid peroxidation. It modulates activators of transcription, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K/Akt, and Wnt/β‐catenin signalling cascades and Janus kinase/signal transducers in carcinogenic cells. The Ras/Raf and PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and TGF-β2/Smad2/3Akt/PTEN signalling pathways are stimulated through the epidermal growth factor (EGF) signalling pathway.
In a nutshell, it could be said without overexaggerating, that fig leaves tea, like Soursop bitters, and pigeon pea leaf tea, possess strong anticancer properties. They are capable of removing cancer cells from your body.
Fig leaves tea for weight loss
If you are considering what herbal tea you should drink to loss some weight and burn down some accumulated fat, fig leaves tea maybe just your reliable home remedy. The plant leaves contains compounds that reduces your blood sugar levels to a significant levels. This would help you maintain your beautiful shape and look extra cute.
Fig leaves tea fights Viral infections
There are few herbal remedies with antivirus activities. luckily, fig leaves tea is one of such few antiviral herbal remedies. According to some studies, the leaves of Ficus carica plant possess distinct antiviral activities against Herpes-simplex virus, echovirus type 11, and adenovirus.
The antiviral activities of fig leaves tea is reported to be through the inhibition of viral replication and cytotoxicity. The latex of the plant also showed the same activity, and could e another way of treating viral infections. Researchers can however extend their studies to the antiviral activity of the plant leaves on other viral infections.
Fig leaves tea improves your heart health
The tea is rich with hypolipidemic compounds. Much of the cardiovascular diseases can be traced to high level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood. These bad cholesterol cholesterol is usually deposited on the walls of the blood vessels. Over time, the deposits grow bigger and block the flow of blood through the vessels. This can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
Bad cholesterol is the risk factor of high blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications. So its a good thing that fig leaves tea can protect your heart from the toxic effect of bad cholesterol. Also, fig leaves tea has shown strong antioxidant and antitoxic effect against Doxorubicin toxicity.
Other great herbal remedies for treating cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension are Avocado seed tea and Rapini juice. You can mix the two herbal powder before brewing your tea.
Can protect you from diabetes
The leaves of ficus carica has also been used in the treatment of diabetes. This is due to its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. This ability to reduce blood sugar level in diabetic patients is an indication that the plant leaves may be a good antidiabetic remedy.
Fig leaves tea for men
There has been an increasing rate of prostate cancer cases and deaths due to same. This is worrisome for men, especially as one reaches the age of 40 or 45. Currently, there is still no permanent medication for it. the oly solution seems to be early detection. This has driven so many people to the use of herbal remedies as against chemotherapy.
But why wait till you are diagnosed of prostate cancer before seeking herbal remedies for it? You can protect yourself from this cancerous growth by taking herbal remedies with anticancer effects. Fig leaf tea is one of such effective remedies, being packed with anticancer bioactive compounds like quercetin, rutin, and others. Do yourself good by taking a cup of this tea for at least, once every week.
Ficus carica leaves for tuberculosis
If you are treating tuberculosis, here is another great remedy for you to try out. Fig leaves tea posses strong anti-tuberculosis which may be due to the presence of quercetin and other antimicrobial compounds. A study showed that the leaf extract of fig plant exhibited antibacterial against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Boosts blood production
Among the Igbo people of Nigeria, the leaves of figs are used to treat anemia. This has been effective and has been proved scientifically by studies. In a comparative study on the hemopoietic parameters of ficus carica and Mucuna pruriens; both of which are notable for increasing red blood cell productions, the result showed that the extracts significantly increased the hemoglobin concentration, PCV and red blood cell count by the 14th day when compared with the control (p<0.05). It further proved that ficus carica leaves exhibit greater activity by increasing the red blood cell count more than that of the Mucuna.
How to make fig leaves tea
Now that you have read through the benefits of fig leaves tea, the next question you would probably want to ask is how to make the tea. so i’m going to just do that. First, get your leaves ready for tea making. Pluck as many fig leaves as you can, wash them thoroughly, and spread indoors to dry under shade. When this is done and your fig leaves are dried, it is time to grind them into powdered form and keep in a cool, dry container for future use.
Best fig leaves tea recipe
Having made your leaf powder ready, assemble these ingredients:
- Two spoons of fig leaves powder
- A spoon of dried ginger (optional)
- A cup and half of water
- A quarter cup of honey (Optional)
Instructions
- Bring your water to a boil in a small pot
- Add your tea and ginger powder
- Reduce the heat to medium/medium-high temperature
- Allow the tea to simmer for five minutes
- Strain your tea and add the honey to taste.
- Serve your tea hot, warm, or cold.
Conclusion
Although fig leaves tea is a wonderful herbal tea, you should know that this article is purely for academic purposes. Do not replace the service of your doctor with herbal remedies. As a matter of warning, do not drink herbal remedies without the consent of your doctor. In case of allergies, stop your tea consumption and consult your doctor.
