Fig: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Figs are sweet and cooling, with a sweet vipak and are heavy to digest. They calm vata and pitta, and promote kapha. They are a good source of iron and build up the blood. Figs are excellent for children.

Cautions: Individuals with low agni should not eat figs. People with diarrhea and dysentery should avoid figs. Do not eat figs with milk as it may cause diarrhea and indigestion.

Healing Uses:

• Gums, teeth and tongue: Eat 4 figs and chew them properly, once a day.
• Chronic indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea: Eat 7 fresh figs and do not drink water for at least 1 hour afterward. Consider fasting on figs for 3 days.
• Constipation in children: Give 3 figs soaked in warm water.
• Burning urination: Eat 4 fresh figs daily, an hour after meals.
• Asthma: Eat figs with a pinch of pippali first thing in the morning.
• Debility, weakness, dry cough and evening fever: Eat 2 figs with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of ground licorice root in the early morning. Do not eat or drink for at least 2 hours afterward.
• Sexual debility: Eat 3 figs daily after breakfast with 1 teaspoon of honey. One hour later take a glass of lassi. Also gently rub warm castor oil on the lower abdomen at bedtime for 1 month.