By Dr Renita D’Souza
Introduction
Anjeer (Ficus carica) is a very well-known nutritive fruit with many medicinal virtues. It helps in quick recovery from fatigue and endows the body with good physical and mental strength. Classical term of Anjeer fruit is Phalgu. It is described under Phala varga in Priya Nighantu. Leaves and roots of this plant are used in cardiovascular diseases, sore throat, cough, indigestion, colic, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and other respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Also used as anti-inflammatory agents. Fresh and dried figs possess laxative properties. Dry fruit is used as good nutritional support for diabetes.Read – Udumbar – Ficus racemosa Uses, Research, Side Effects
Botanical Name – Ficus caricaFamily – Moraceae
Medicinal Qualities
Ripe fruit of Anjeer possess following qualitiesTaste (Rasa) – Sweet Quality (Guna) – Guru (heavy to digest)Snigdha (unctuous)Potency (Virya) – Shita (cold)Vipaka (Taste after digestion) – SweetAction (Karma) –Tarpana – NutritiveBalya – promotes physical strengthAnulomana – helps easy evacuation of bowelsVibandam Hanti – cures constipationShramahara – relieves fatigueBrahmana – NourishingVishtambhi – constipating (excess use)Yakkrit uthejjakaVrshya – AphrodisiacMutrala – diureticDahaprashamanaRaktashodhaka – Purifies bloodKaphanisaraka – ExpectorantRead – Banyan Tree: Ficus benghalensis: Uses, Research, Remedies, Side Effects
Effect on Doshas
Vatapittahara – Balances aggravated vata and pitta dosha
Remedies
Latex of Fig is applied externally on warts, skin ulcers and sores. It is also used as a purgative and anthelmintic.
Fruit paste is applied externally on swellings, tumour and inflammations. It acts as the best pain relieving agent.
In Hemorrhage, fruit juice with honey is given internally. (Vrindamaadhava)
Pharmacological Activities
Ficus carica possess Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Hepatoprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Gastroprotective, Antidiarrheal, Antitumor, Antispasmodic, Immune Balancing, Antipyretic and Antimutagenic activities.Leaves of Anjeer possess Diuretic, Demulcent, Emollient and Anthelmintic properties.
Nutritive value of Figs
Figs (Ficus carica) contains Protein 1.3 g, Fat (total Lipids) 0.2 g, Carbohydrates 7.6 g, Calories (energy) 80 k Cal, Moisture 88.1 g, Fibre 2.2 g, Minerals 0.6 g, Thiamine 0.1 mg, Calcium 35 mg, Phosphorus 22 mg, Iron 0.6 mg, Vitamin A – 80 IU and Vitamin C – 2 mgRead – Ashmantaka – Ficus rumphii – Uses, Dose, Research
Therapeutic Uses
Anjir can be used in diseases such as-ConstipationLiver and Spleen diseasesGeneral debilityJaundiceSandhivata – OsteoarthritisVataraktha – goutRakta vikara – diseases related to bloodRaktapittaSore throat, Cough, AsthmaAshmari – urinary calculiVrikka shulaMutrakricchra – dysuriaShukra dourbalya – OligospermiaBurning sensationVrana – woundVisphota – BoilsMasurika – measlesFeverFruits are used in –LeprosyNose bleedingAntipyreticAphrodisiacLithontripticHair nutritiveEmollientDemulcentLaxativeInflammationParalysisLiver diseasesChest painPilesRoots are used in –LeucodermaRingworm infection.Latex is used as –ExpectorantDiureticAnthelmintic and in the treatment of anemia.Leaves are used as –AntidiabeticVermifugeIn contact dermatitisSeeds are used as edible oil, lubricant etcRead – Pears Fruit Uses, Medicinal Qualities, Research, Remedies
Part Used
Fruit, Leaves, Root
DosageJuice – l0-20 mlPaste – 5-10 mlDried fruit – 2-3
Sanskrit Verses
Botanical Description
Ficus carica is a moderate sized deciduous tree growing up to 15- 20 ft in height. Leaves are broad, ovate, nearly 3-5 lobed, leathery dark green above and hairy below.Fruits are axillary, usually pear shaped, variable in size and color, when ripe it is sweet and juicy. It is gummy with latex before ripening. Although fig is considered as a fruit is actually a flower inverted into it. Seeds are many and vary greatly in size. Seeds are real fruits in figs.Plant latex is milky white and it contains a protein digesting enzyme called Ficin.Read – Apple Benefits, Qualities, Remedies, Research
Distribution
Ficus carica is native to Carica in Asia minor. It is distributed in Southwest Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean region, from Turkey in the East to Spain and Portugal in the West. It is also grown commercially in parts of the U.S.A., Chile, Arabia, Persia, India, China and Japan.
Controversy
In Charaka and Sushruta Samhita, Phalgu is mentioned as Vishtambhi (constipating). Priya Nighantu mentions properties of Anulomana and Vibanda hanti that helps in relieving constipation.
Other Nighantukaaras and commentators such as Dalhana and Chakrapaani mentions Phalgu as synonym of Kaakodumbara (Ficus hispida).Read – Ficus hispida – Kakodumbara Uses, Research, Remedies, Side Effects
Research
Anticancer Activity – The study ‘Anticancer Activity of Methanol Extract of Ficus carica Leaves and Fruits Against Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Necrosis in Huh7it Cells’, have shown that the leaf extract of Ficus carica have higher anticancer activity compared with its fruit extracts.Anti-inflammatory Activity– A research study conducted to evaluate Anti-inflammatory activity of leaves of Ficus carica have shown that the petroleum ether (PEE), chloroform (CE) and ethanol (EE) extracts have greater anti-inflammatory effect comparative to standard drug Indomethacin.
Classical Categorization
Priya Nighantu – Phala vargaCharaka Samhitha –Shramaharani DashemaaniPhala VargaSushrutha Samhitha – Phala Varga
Formulations
Whoopin Syrup – It relieves distressing coughGojihwadi Kashaya – It is used in the treatment of fever, cough, bronchitis etc Nila ghritha – Used in asaadhya kushta (Su.Chi 9/29)Nila ghritha – Used in asaadhya kushta (Su.Chi 9/29)
Scientific Classification
Kingdom – PlantaeSubkingdom – TracheobiontaSuperdivision – SpermatophyteDivision- MagnoliphytaClass – MaghnoliosidaSubclass – Hamamelididae Order – UrticalesFamily – MoraceaeGenus – FicusSpecies – carica
Vernacular Names
English Name – Common figSanskrit Name – Phalgu phalamHindi Name – AnjeerMarathi Name – AnjraBengali Name – AnjirKannada Name – AnjuraMalayalam Name – Shimi attiTamil Name – Simayiatti tenattiTelugu Name – Anjura, Manjimedi, Shimi attiPunjabi Name – FagariArab Name – TinPersian Name – AnjirClick to Consult Dr Renita D’Souza
Systemic Action (Sthanika Karma)
External – Warm paste is used to apply on inflammatory wounds.
Digestive System – Liver stimulant, indicated in Splenomegaly, hemorrhoids, Jaundice etc. Facilitate normal movement of doshas. Circulatory System –Indicated in joint inflammation, blood borne diseases, bleeding diseases etc. Respiratory system – Expels out vitiated kapha dosha, indicated in cough, breathing diseases etc. by improving the mucosal health of respiratory passage. Excretory system – Improve urine output, indicated in Urinary calculi and associated pain, Dysuria etc. Reproductive system – Aphrodisiac. It can be used with other herbal medicines to increase sperm count. Skin – Improve complexion, cure burning sensation associated with skin irruptions. Satmikarana – Indicated in general debility. promote strength. Tapakrama – jvaraghna (fever and associated weakness)
