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Useful properties and application of the common fig tree
Botanical description of the fig tree
Fig tree is a small tree or shrub from the mulberry family. The height of the plant does not exceed 15 meters, although its size depends on the variety and place of growth. The fig tree has slightly branched branches. The color and shape of the leaves of the fig tree differ depending on its variety, although they are usually dark green or bright green. The leaves are up to 15 cm long and 12 cm wide. Due to the coarse short hairs covering the leaf blade, the leaves of the plant are rather rough.
The flowers of the fig tree are collected inside the fleshy pear-shaped inflorescences. Male flowers, consisting of three stamens and a three-membered perianth, develop exclusively in the inflorescences of males. Although female flowers are present in these inflorescences, they do not function. Accordingly, in the inflorescences of females, everything happens exactly the opposite: only female flowers develop in them, consisting of a pistil and a five-membered perianth, while male ones do not show activity.
The fig tree is known throughout the world as a valuable fruit-bearing plant, characterized by a rather complex process of pollination, flowering and fruit formation.
Useful properties of the fig tree
History claims that people began to cultivate this useful medicinal plant several thousand years before our era. Since then, they began to notice and describe its healing properties. Due to the large number of useful substances contained in the fig tree, it is widely used in folk medicine. The composition of the plant includes many active components that contribute to the full functioning of the human body.
Of particular note are the trace elements contained in the fruits of the fig tree, such as potassium, sodium, iron, organic acids, pectin, fiber, protein, vitamins A, B1, B2. The presence of vitamin C in the fig tree helps the human immune system to more effectively resist various diseases and viruses. The fruits of the plant contain easily digestible sugars – fructose and glucose, thanks to which figs are a very valuable food product, because a small amount of these substances can satisfy hunger and give the body the necessary energy.
Application of the fig tree
Medicine actively uses the fruits of the fig tree in the fight against various diseases. In particular, due to the high content of potassium and sugar, they can help with diseases of the cardiovascular system. Due to the presence of finin in the fruits of the plant, they are often used to treat thromboembolic diseases.
Traditional medicine recommends fig fruits boiled in milk for bronchitis, tracheitis, acute catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract, bronchiectasis. In addition, they will be useful for chronic constipation, gastritis, to improve blood composition and as an effective diuretic and expectorant.
The fruits of the fig tree have a disinfectant property, therefore, infusions are often prepared from them for rinsing with inflammation of the oral mucosa, colds and abscesses. It is best to use fresh fruits of the plant, although they also retain many useful properties when dried.
fig tree
The common fig tree grows on the coast of Crimea, in Transcaucasia, Dagestan and many regions of Russia. This variety is very sensitive to frost and does not tolerate winter temperatures below fifteen degrees. Since ancient times, the fruits of the plant have been used as a valuable nutritious product and are used in folk medicine in many countries of the world.
The main medicinal ingredient of the common fig tree is its leaves and fruits. For medicinal purposes, the leaves of the plant are harvested from September to October, and the fruits are harvested after they have ripened. They boast a significant content of trace elements, organic acids, vitamins and other useful substances.
Contraindications to the use of fig tree
Contraindications to the use of the fig tree include acute gastrointestinal diseases, gout and diabetes mellitus (due to the high content of sugar in the fruits of the plant). It is also impossible to exclude allergies and individual intolerance.