Organic fig leaf benefits are immense. If trees are our friends, fig trees are the friendliest, blessing us with diverse benefits and uses. All the parts of the fig tree have great nutrient and health benefits, and not so surprisingly, fig leaves also pose great uses! In a few words, they have excellent benefits for several chronic diseases, bone, hair, skin, reproductive, and digestive health.
I am Azad from Team Myorganic Bd, a Microbiologist with four years of experience writing organic food, health, and nutrition content. After days of research and studying (and sleeping in front of) scientific papers, I collected the best data about fig leaves. Here is the 8th-grade-easy version of everything we found.
By the end of this article, you will have a good idea about fig leaves, nutrient values, benefits, and side effects of fig leaves. Plus, making leaf fig oil can be helpful for some people (those who can cook).
Quick look: What is Fig leaf?
Fig leaves (Ficus carica) are edible and are shaped like small paypa leaves. They are usually 10-25 cm. The size may vary depending on the species (800 of them).
The texture of the leaves is rough, but they have an earthy, vanilla flavor. The scent resembles green walnut, coconut, and peat. Its unique fragrant profile makes it perfect for various dishes and tea.
In the fall, the leaves turn yellow, and the tree enters a dormant stage in the winter. Both green and dried fig leaves pose numerous benefits and uses for us.
Nutrition value of Organic fig leaves
Fig leaves are the source of many vital nutrients we require daily. Just a cup of fig leaf tea can fill up quite a range of daily nutrient requirements. Here are the nutrients and critical roles.
Vitamin A: Important for eyes, immune, and skin.
Vitamin B1: Helps metabolism and nerve cells.
Vitamin B2: Crucial for skin health and energy production.
Calcium: This plays the primary role in building bone, teeth, and muscle health.
Iron: A crucial component for blood health.
Phosphorus: Essential for healthy cells.
Manganese: Important for bones and blood clotting.
Sodium: Vital for water balance, nerve, and muscle.
Potassium: Regulates heart health, muscle contractions, and water balance.
Fig fruit contains a good amount of vitamin K, but fig leaves do not.
9 Fig leaf benefits towards wellness
After a ton of research, here are the key benefits of fig leaf.
Beneficial for type 1 diabetes
A study shows that fig leaves have a promising effect on reducing insulin requirements. It may help type 1 diabetic patients control their blood sugar and insulin levels. A cup of fig leaf tea before your morning meal can help you keep blood sugar under control. However, if you take insulin and fig leaves, the blood sugar can drop too low. It’s essential to talk with medical professionals before starting to consume Fig leaf.
Enhancing male fertility
Fig leaves contain melatonin, caffeoyl malic acid, and other vital components that have a substantial effect on increasing sperm count. Research on the fig leaf effect on Rats shows that it increases the number of sperm. Manganese, vitamin E, and antioxidants also positively affect sperm production.
Promotes heart health and reduces bad cholesterol.
Cholesterol and lipid buildup can cause blockage in the heart and blood vessels. Fig leaves benefit by reducing the bad fat from the blood. It may prevent hyperlipidemia (a disease caused by high lipids and cholesterol in the blood).
Relief fever
The antipyretic effect of fig leaf may help to cure and relieve fever. The word antipyretic has a Greek origin, where “anti” means against and “pyretos” means fever.
Antimicrobial Effects
Fig leaf contains antimicrobial effects that may help relieve diarrhea and food poisoning. It may also protect or cure urinary tract disease and other diseases related to pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Bone health
The high amount of calcium and phosphorus in Fig leaves significantly affects bone health. Calcium is the building block of bone, and we must always take the right amount.
Phosphorus plays an essential role in bone repair and growing new bone. Overall, fig leaves can greatly benefit older people and women, as they are more prone to bone damage. (Women require a lot of calcium to give birth)
Good for constipation
Fig leaves contain beneficial fiber that may help you with your constipation. For that, cooked fig leaves are better than fig leaf tea. It promotes overall digestive health and reduces the risk of common digestive diseases.
It may enhance weight loss.
Fig leaves contain tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and good steroids, which have a promising activity in reducing fat absorption from food. It also limits the bad cholesterol in the blood. After receiving doctor’s advice, you can easily fit fig leaves with your weight loss journey.
Organic dried figs have some similar benefits to fig leaves. You can read Benefits of organic dried Fig.
Is fig leaf tea beneficial?
Yes, you can get all the benefits of fig leaf by drinking fig leaf tea. It contains no caffeine or nerve-soothing components, but its delightful fragrance will make you feel good.
You can get every fig leaf benefits from fig tea, but if you want digestive benefits, you should eat the boiled leaf with the tea to get the fiber content of the leaf.
So, how do you make fig leaf tea? Just boil the green or dry fig leaf in water for 12-15 minutes, add your preferred sweetener, and your fig leaf tea is ready! Check the step-by-step recipe and detailed article about fig leaf tea- 5 benefits of fig leaf tea.
Planting a fig tree in your house can provide instant fig leaves year-round. Are you living in a city? There is a small species of fig tree named fiddle fig tree that you can plant even indoors.
Important note: Fig leaves and sap can be mildly toxic for dogs and pets.
How to make fig leaf oil?
Unlike fig seed oil, fig leaf oil is not for skin or hair. It is a fantastic healthy option for cooking purposes. You can make fig leaf oil just by infusing cooking oil with fig leaves. Olive oil contains numerous wellness benefits and is suitable for infusing with fig leaves. The leaves add an earthy, vanillaish, and fresh flavor to the oil. Here is the easy process of making fig leaf oil DIY.
- Step 1: Collect green fig leaves. One medium-sized leaf for one cup of oil.
- Step 2: Clean the leaves with water and let the leaves dry.
- Step 3: Blend the oil with fig leaves after drying completely.
- Step 4: Store the oil in a glass bottle and let it sit for one hour for infusion.
- Step 5: Keep the oil in the fridge, but use it at room temperature.
Want to learn about fig seed oils? Check this : Benefits of fig Seed oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are fig leaves eatable raw?
No, you should not eat fig leaf raw. Fig leaves are primarily used for flavor, and you should eat them after cooking and grilling.
Q. How do you preserve fig leaves?
You can preserve fig leaves by drying them. Collect the fig leaves, wash them properly, and let the water dry. After that, use your oven (100 degrees C until it turns brown) or dehydrator (55 degrees C for 90 minutes) to dry the leaves. Store the dried leaves in an air-tight container.
Final thoughts
Fig leaves are the true definition of a super supplement of nature containing many nutrition and health benefits, compact with vital nutrients and antioxidants. They decrease blood sugar and harmful cholesterol, boost male fertility, bone health, and many more.
Fig leaves are easy to consume and easy to store. You can take them as tea, cook them with other dishes, or just make Fig leaf-infused healthy eating oil. The possibilities are sky-high!
That was all about Fig leaf benefits! Wondering where can you find some refreshing fig leaf tea? Check it out
Mr. Shariful Alam Pavel believes in natural living. To live a healthy conscious living, we need to eat green, live green. MyOrganic Bd is a green wellbeing brand, educating millions to live a better life with mother nature.
A doctor in Medicine, Public health professional dedicate immense time to educate people. To create awareness, Mr. Goutom worked with Myorganic Bd in his spare time.
Apart from that, he is expert in newborn and child health programming in third world working Save the children.