Health Benefits of Figs (Anjeer) An Ayurveda View

Figs are known as anjeer in India. Texts of ayurveda praise the benefits of figs in male health, blood pressure, cholesterol, constipation and PCOS or PCOD




Table of contents
Figs in Ayurveda
Ayurveda Health Benefits of Figs
Other Interesting Facts About Figs
Figs in Ayurveda
Texts of Ayurveda refer to this fruit as FALGU or RAJAOUDUMBARA and praise the health benefits of figs.
Figs also known as Anjeer in India, belong to Mulberry family. Fresh fruits are lusciously sweet and crunchy seeds add to the taste. Dried anjeer are sweet and chewy. Dried ones are available throughout the year. This nutritious fruit is used as the main ingredient in many sweet and spicy dishes.
Figs are sweet to taste (madhura rasa). Anjeer is heavy to digest (guru) and has cold potency (sheeta veerya). They are rich in fiber, vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese and pantothenic acid. According to the principles of Ayurveda, figs help to balance Vata dosha and pitta dosha.
Ayurveda Health Benefits of Figs
Figs for Erectile Dysfunction and male fertility:
Figs are eulogized as Vrishya or aphrodisiac by Ayurveda Acharyas. Anjeers are used as shukra dhatu increasing ingredient, in Vajikarana Therapy. As they are rich in amino acids, they help to increase libido and are very useful in erectile dysfunction. Figs also boost sexual stamina and sexual energy. They support semen health and promote the increase of sperm count and motility.
FIGS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Persons suffering from high blood pressure get benefited from these fruits. Many people have a tendency to consume a high amount of sodium through fast foods and processed food. They do not eat fresh vegetables and fruits which are rich in potassium. This sodium and potassium imbalance leads to high blood pressure. Figs are high in potassium and also act as diuretics. They help to balance sodium, potassium levels and reduce blood pressure.
FIGS FOR DETOX
These fruits stimulate the liver and expel the accumulated toxins thus helping in liver detox. They purify the blood or rakta dhatu and increase the hemoglobin level. Hence these fruits are praised as having "rakta shodhaka" and "rakta vriddhikara" properties. These are recommended as a diet when you are on ayurvedic skin detox. They are the best Ayurveda detox for erectile dysfunction.
FIGS FOR PCOS
Figs are the best diet for PCOS. They help to maintain heart health and keep cholesterol at bay. Maintenance of heart health and keeping cholesterol under control are very important aspects of PCOS. Figs help to improve these conditions in PCOS. Hence these can be added to PCOS ayurvedic Diet
FIGS FOR CONSTIPATION AND PILES
Ayurveda acharyas recommend these fruits in constipation and piles or haemorrhoids . The snehana or softening and mridvirechana or mildly laxative properties of these fruits help to empty bowels without any trouble. Figs are rich in fiber and they also act as mild laxative. They increase the bulk of fecal matter and soften it. These properties are of great help for persons suffering from constipation and piles. Regular consumption of figs aids in passing the stools easily without any difficulties.
FIGS FOR BODYBUILDING
According to the principles of Ayurveda water and earth elements always increase the body bulk. Figs are rich in these elements and help to increase body weight. It boosts body strength and immunity. Figs help to gain weight when consumed with milk. These are the best fruits for bodybuilders as they provide more energy and also help to increase earth elements in muscles or mamsa dhatu to improve bulk.
LOWERS CHOLESTEROL AND PROTECTS THE HEART
Figs contain a soluble fiber called pectin. These fibers mop up the cholesterol globules and expel them out of the body. Thus figs are very helpful in reducing cholesterol. Dried figs contain fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega -6. These reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases.
Other Interesting Facts About Figs
According to Allen Wheeler
Unlike most other fruits, figs ripen gradually and are picked from May to October. This late summer crop is dried and made into cakes or kept on strings. It has been an important food crop for thousands of years and was also thought to be highly beneficial in the diet. Figs were also a common food source for the Romans.
Figs can be eaten fresh or dried and used in jam-making. Most commercial production is in dried or otherwise processed forms since the ripe fruit does not last long.
Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller amounts of many other nutrients. Figs have a laxative effect and contain many antioxidants. They are a good source of flavonoids and polyphenols. In one study, a 40-gram portion of dried figs (two medium-size figs) produced a significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity.
Ancient Egyptians also used figs to heal stomach diseases and to ease back pain. Boiled in milk or barley water, figs were thought to ease chest pain. The fig also is used in folk medicine for cancer, skin conditions, and for healing wounds. Dried figs contain a lot of sugar, about 60%. It is thought that that was the reason why Plato advised Greek athletes to eat many figs.
The white juice that drips out of the fruit if the stalk has been broken off is called latex. It was supposed to represent universal energy and was used as a remedy against infertility and to incite the breastfeeding process. Dried figs consist of about 60% of sugar, contain a lot of vitamins and it is said that humans could live on figs alone. It is a very healthy fruit and you can consume as much of them as you like.
Whats App or email Dr.Savitha Suri @ [email protected], + 91 6360108663/ to know more about ayurvedic treatment and Remedies
Author - Dr.Savitha Suri. Consultant ayurvedic physician.
Reference - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6637399/