You’re probably familiar with figs and may even enjoy them, but did you know there are tons of health benefits to fig leaves? It’s true! The nutrient-packed green leaves of fig trees are loaded with benefits. Let’s explore how to incorporate fig leaves into your diet and why you should start doing so right away.
Fig leaf tea is absolutely amazing! I was always excited about the tasty little fruits our fig tree blessed us with in the spring. But I had no idea how incredible the leaves were until a few years later when I started reading about the healing power of plants. The large leaves on a fig tree have a beautiful sweet earthy flavor with hints of coconut. They make a delicious hot tea for a chilly afternoon and can even be used to flavor ice cream, make a sweet simple syrup, and of course, fig leaf tea.
The first time I tried making fig leaf tea, I was a little hesitant. I mean, who would think these green leaves could make such an amazing tea? But they did! I added a little sugar, and it tasted like butterscotch. I was in heaven!
Nowadays, I love drinking it with honey as my go-to sweetener. The taste is incredible, but what really sold me were the health benefits. I started collecting the leaves each year to keep on hand.
Fig tree leaves are packed with vitamins. So, when you drink fig leaf tea, you’re getting all those amazing nutrients. They’re a great source of vitamins B1, B2, and A. Plus, they contain phosphorus, manganese, potassium, sodium, iron, and calcium.
Health Benefits Of Fig Leaves To Improve Your Wellbeing
Fig leaf tea has been around forever as a natural remedy for all sorts of stuff. Lately, it’s been getting a lot more attention for its health benefits. People are using it in home remedies for things like treating skin conditions, keeping blood sugar levels stable, and cutting down on oxidative stress.
1. Promote Digestion
Fig leaves are known to assist with various digestive issues. They help treat diarrhea, ulcers, nausea, and stomach complaints. Research has shown that figs can alleviate constipation, dysentery, enteritis, and piles due to their laxative and purgative properties. Regular consumption can help reduce the risk of colon cancer by promoting the speedy removal of waste from the body.
2. Improve Vascular & Heart Health
Fig extract contains rutin, quercetin, and flavone, compounds that support cardiovascular health. These elements help lower triglyceride levels, which is critical in preventing heart disease. Fig leaves also provide antioxidant abilities that eliminate free radicals, potentially preventing strokes and blood clots through studies documented by the National Institutes of Health.
3. Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels
In Pakistan, a decoction made from fig leaves is used to treat diabetes. Fig leaves are shown to improve insulin sensitivity, regulate carbohydrate uptake, and increase glucose absorption. A 1998 clinical trial found that consuming fig leaf tea decreased the insulin requirement for individuals with type 1 diabetes by 12%.
4. Potential Anticancer Properties
Fig leaf extracts have shown promise in treating and preventing various cancers. Compounds like Bergapten and psoralen have been linked to anticancer effects. These extracts are being explored as building blocks for medicines that could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, including cervical, breast, colon, skin, and liver cancers.
5. Promote Healthy Skin
Fig leaf juice contains furanocoumarins, including psoralen and daidzein, which can help treat skin conditions. These extracts have been effective in managing vitiligo and atopic dermatitis (eczema), especially in children, offering results superior to standard hydrocortisone creams without side effects.
6. Combat Respiratory Disorders
Fig leaves serve as a natural remedy for respiratory conditions like asthma and coughs. Their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties provide relief from various respiratory disorders, as documented here.
7. Fight Allergies
Studies have shown that fig leaf tea effectively suppresses allergy symptoms. These benefits add another reason to incorporate fig leaves into your diet to manage and reduce allergies naturally, as shown in studies.
8. Reduce Wrinkles
Research indicates that fig leaf extracts can improve wrinkles by inhibiting collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen in the skin.
9. Boost Antioxidant Levels
Fig leaves have a high antioxidant capacity. These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, preventing cell damage. Studies show fig leaves to have some of the highest antioxidant potential, beneficial for overall health, as supported by scientific findings.
10. Strengthen Bones
Fig leaf tea can help increase bone density, potentially combating osteoporosis. Studies show that regular consumption of fig leaf tea supports bone health and can be part of a regimen to prevent bone density loss.
11. Support Liver Health
Fig leaves show potential in fighting liver diseases due to their antioxidant properties. The bioactive compounds in fig latex inhibit cancer cell lines and support liver health through detoxification, according to in-vitro studies.
12. Manage Alzheimer’s and Convulsions
Anti-inflammatory properties in fig leaves have shown potential in treating Alzheimer’s and convulsions. They combat oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting brain health.
13. Other
Fig leaf tea is getting quite the reputation for its potential health perks. It’s been linked to fighting off liver disorders, Alzheimer’s, seizures, inflammation, bacterial infections, and even tuberculosis.
Fig leaves are loaded with all sorts of good stuff. They contain phytochemicals like caffeoylmalic acid, psoralic acid-glucoside, rutin, psoralen, and bergapten. You’ll also find quercetin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, rutin, and trans-cinnamic acid in there, not to mention antioxidants and enzymes such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Believe it or not, figs have more phenolic compounds than coffee or red wine!
The latex of figs holds some powerful bioactive compounds, specifically 6-O-acyl-b-D-glucosyl-bsitosterols (AGS) with different acyl methyl groups like palmitoyl, linoleyl, stearyl, and oleyl. Among these, the palmitoyl derivative shines as the most effective in inhibiting various cancer cell lines. In lab studies, AGS has shown impressive results in halting cancer cell growth, making it a standout anticancer agent.
Another intriguing find is that fig leaf extracts might be helpful in treating and preventing cervical melanoma. This just adds another feather to the cap of fig leaves, highlighting their incredible potential in the world of natural remedies.
Possible Side Effects
Fig tree sap can sometimes cause skin irritations or trigger a latex allergy in rare cases. For those handling fig leaves for the first time, it’s important to be aware of how your skin reacts.
Fig leaf tea acts as a laxative and can help alleviate constipation, but consuming it in excess may lead to diarrhea.
Additionally, if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you are taking any medications, consult with your healthcare provider before consuming fig leaf tea to avoid potential interactions or adverse reactions. Always start with a small amount and monitor your body’s response to ensure there are no negative effects.
How to Prepare the Leaves for Fig Leaf Tea
Now that we’ve covered some of the benefits, let’s dive into making this amazing and delicious tea that you can enjoy all year round.
First, wait until your fig tree is full of leaves. Then, pick the leaves randomly from different parts of the tree to ensure you’re not over-harvesting from any one spot. Once you’ve gathered your leaves, bring them inside and soak them in water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for a thorough clean. After that, pat them dry with a clean towel.
Next, trim off the stems from the leaves. Lay them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Preheat your oven to 200ºF (about 93ºC), and then pop the cookie sheet in. Let the leaves bake for about 10 minutes, but keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn. You want them completely dry, but not crispy. Alternatively, a food dehydrator works well, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
After they’re done, let the leaves cool down. Once cooled, break them up into smaller pieces and store them in jars. Keep the jars sealed tightly, and you’ll have a stash of fig leaves ready to make tea whenever you want, all year long.
How to Make Fig Leaf Tea
The easiest way to make fig leaf tea is to steep the leaves in hot water. Whether using fresh or dried leaves, the longer you steep them, the more medicinal properties are extracted. Sweeten with some local raw honey if you like. For a richer, more flavorful tea, try my favorite method below.
Ingredients:
- Ingredients:
- 3 to 5 tbsp. Fig Leaves
- 2 cups water in Pot
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 6 cups water to fill pitcher
With a Tea Infuser Ball: Place the dried tea mixture into a tea infuser ball and put it in a teapot. Add boiling water and let it steep for about 10 minutes. If it tastes too bitter, steep for a shorter time next time or add some local raw honey.
Without a Tea Infuser Ball: Put 16 oz of water and 2 tablespoons of the dried tea mix into a small pot. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Cover the pot and let it steep for at least 10 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for a stronger brew. Sweeten with local raw honey if desired.
Thank you so much for the fig leaf tea recipe and clear instructions from start to finish! Can’t wait to make it!!!