| The fig occupies a high position among | | | | of stimulating peristaltic or wave like |
| fruits. Soft, sweet and puply, this delicious | | | | movements of intestines which facilitates |
| fruit promotes health. It is a pear-shaped | | | | easy evacuation of faeces and keeps the |
| hollow fruit, with sugary pulp and a large | | | | alimentary canal clean.PilesOwing to its |
| number of small seeds of golden color | | | | laxative property, the fig is an excellent |
| sticking to the wall of the cavity. It is | | | | remedy for piles. Two or three dried figs |
| variable in size and color. The ripe fresh | | | | should be soaked in cold water in a glass of |
| fruit is juicy, wholesome and delicious. | | | | enamelware in the night after cleaning them |
| However, being highly perishable, it if sold | | | | thoroughly with hot water. They should be |
| in the world markets in its dry form.Origin | | | | taken next morning. Figs should be taken |
| and DistributionThe fig is a native of Asia | | | | similarly in the evening. This will remove |
| Minor and spread early to the Mediterranean | | | | straining at stools and thus prevent the |
| region. It is a plant of extremely ancient | | | | protrusion of the anus. The piles will be |
| cultivation and was grown in Egypt around | | | | cured with regular use of figs in this manner |
| 4,000 BC. It has been used as a principal | | | | for three or four weeks.AsthmaFigs are |
| food in the Mediterranean countries for | | | | considered beneficial in the treatment of |
| thousands of years. The main areas of fig | | | | asthma. Phlegmatic cases of cough and asthma |
| cultivation in India are Pune in Maharashtra, | | | | are treated with success by their use. It |
| Srirangapatnam in Karnataka, Lucknow in Uttar | | | | gives comfort to the patient by draining of |
| Pradesh and parts of Gujarat.Food ValueAn | | | | the |
| analysis of the fresh fig shows it consists | | | | |
| good amount of moisture and little protein, | | | | phlegm.Sexual WeaknessFigs can be |
| fat and carbohydrate. The dry fig has a high | | | | beneficially used in the treatment of sexual |
| nutritive value. Its most important food | | | | debility. They can be supplemented by other |
| element is sugar which forms 51 to 74 per | | | | dry fruits like almonds and dry dates along |
| cent of the whole fruit. It can be taken in | | | | with butter. Their use has proved effective |
| various ways, either by itself or in | | | | in such casesCornsFor corns of long duration, |
| combination with other foodstuffs enrich | | | | the milky juice of green figs helps to soften |
| their food value. When taken with white | | | | them. The milk has a mild necrotic |
| flour, it removes much of its constipating | | | | actionPrecautionsFigs should be washed |
| effect. It combines very well with milk. Figs | | | | thoroughly before use. The skin of the dry |
| are often used for preparing cakes and jams. | | | | fruit being tough, the soaked fig is easy to |
| They are also made into pudding.Natural | | | | digest. It is, however, essential to take the |
| Benefits and Curative PropertiesMany | | | | water along with the fruit as much of the |
| medicinal virtues have been ascribed to the | | | | nutrients come out into the |
| fig. It is considered a restorative food | | | | water.Note:Information in this article is |
| which helps in quick recovery after prolonged | | | | provided for informational and educational |
| illness. It removes physical and mental | | | | purposes only and is not meant to substitute |
| exertion and endows the body with renewed | | | | for the advise provided by your own physician |
| vigour and strength. It is an excellent tonic | | | | or other medical professional. If you suspect |
| for the weak people who suffer cracks in | | | | that you have a medical problem, promptly |
| lips, tongue and mouth.ConstipationTaken | | | | contact your health care provider.Cindy is |
| either fresh or dried, the fig is regarded as | | | | the host of a Free Asian Recipes website |
| a dependable laxative on account of its large | | | | dedicated to all things on Asian Cooking and |
| cellulose content and its tough skin. The | | | | Culinary Guide with thousands of Cooking |
| tiny seeds in the fruit possess the property | | | | Tips. |