Figs in Chinese Traditional Medicine

3 Wonders of Figs in Chinese Traditional Medicine

by TCM Practitioner Lee Jok Keng

The fig tree is a complex plant. The Chinese called the fruit 无花果 (wu hua guo) meaning a flowerless fruit. They noticed that the plant does not seem to produce any flowers but jump straight to fruiting, hence its name. Actually, they do have flowers. Those tiny seeds that you see inside the fruit are actually flowers that have become seeds through self-pollination! Botanically, the ‘fruit’ is actually an inverted stem that enclosed a bunch of tiny flowers that eventually become seeds.

Besides being a unique plant, the edible fruit has its own wonders. I want to focus on 3 main benefits, seen through Chinese traditional medicine. According to Chinese tradition, figs are slightly cooling, and influence the stomach, lungs, and large intestines primarily. The fruit is a gentle detoxifier, a good remedy for chronic dry cough and heals many kinds of colon issues.

A Gentle Detoxifier

Detoxifying herbs or foods are generally bitter but the alkalizing fig is mildly sweet, astringent with very slight bitterness. It reduces hot, toxic and acidic conditions in the body characterized by poor complexion, reddish skin breakouts, sluggishness, poor sleep and aches and pains. In cultures where figs are popular, they are generally added to meat dishes to make them more digestible and light. It is an excellent cooling fruit for starting or breaking fasts as it makes the transition easier due to its gentle detoxifying yet nourishing nature. For those who are keen to explore periodic (3, 5 or 7 days) mono-diet (single-food) practices, the fig is an excellent fruit of choice, just as mangoes and bananas are legendary in India for mono-diet. Mono-diet is a good practice to overcome and break away from various excessive substances like sugar, salt, meat, alcohol and spicy foods. Mono-diet breaks the addictive cycle and resets the metabolism by renewing the pre and probiotics in the gut.

Helpful in Chronic Dry Cough

As fig has a moistening cooling nature, it is particularly helpful for those experiencing chronic dry cough with heat symptoms. This is frequently seen in smokers, frequent alcohol drinkers, late sleepers and the elderly. Itchy sore throat usually accompanies the dry cough. Those recuperating from a strong bout of fever or flu will sometimes have dry itchy throat, shortness of breath, chest tightness and difficulty sleeping. This is where fig will help. Fig has good affinity with lemon thus making fig enzyme with lemon or steeping dry figs with warm lemon water are some creative ways to combine these 2 items. Chronic dry cough is a common discomfort among the elderly. In Chinese medicine, this is due to internal dryness, or lack of yin, especially in the lungs. Neither drinking more water nor taking herbal cooling teas can help. In fact, cooling herbal teas can make things worse. What is needed is to moisturize the lung’s yin for a period of time. Figs and walnuts are an excellent food couplet for this challenging condition of the elderly. And this combination can be made into delicious cookies, pies or snack-bars.

Resolving Many Colon Issues

Constipation is a global issue. While laxatives can sometimes help, too frequent use create other problems, like depleting specific nutrients. The elderly and pregnant women have to take special care in managing constipation as strong laxatives and excessive rough fiber can be dangerous. Consuming sufficient fruits is a better way in managing constipation, and regular intake of figs is the best as they are gentle and moisturizing. Not only do figs help in constipation but they’ll also heal chronic inflamed colon and hemorrhoids. Fig’s gentle gel-like mucin coats and lubricates the colon to soothe inflammation as well as encouraging the growth of good gut bacteria. Figs are also amazing as a post-natal confinement fruit as it helps in constipation, hemorrhoids as well as boosting milk production. For those that are concerned with the slightly cooling nature of figs, adding fennel seeds (warming) makes it a good combination for colon issues. You can steep a quarter teaspoon of fennel seeds in hot water and drink this while enjoying your figs, or just add the warm tea into the blender while you’re juicing figs.

We are fortunate that there are committed individuals who are willing to take the time and effort to bring us real and healthy foods. In the past, figs can only be enjoyed dried and freshly imported from unknown sources. Today, they can be picked fresh and tree-ripened, grown organically in green houses and delivered to your doorstep!

Lee Jok Keng has 2.5 decades of clinical experience in Chinese traditional medicine. He practices in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor. Inquiries at jokkeng63@gmail.com.