Fig trees: food and medicine

[Arzosah]

I'm stuck at home today, immobile, so I've been wandering around the interwebulator, found something that was too good not to pass on.

It started with this guy, an American living in Paris, making a dessert using fig leaves: https://www.davidlebovitz.com/fig-leaf- ... am-recipe/

Sounds wonderful! So I did a search, of course found a single blogpost summarising lots of other blogposts from "alternative" websites mentioning anti-diabetic and anti-triglyceride properties: https://www.livestrong.com/article/2671 ... ig-leaves/

Whenever I read something like that, I go to webmd, and see the mainstream stuff: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre ... no-445/fig They seem to confirm it - they say more evidence is needed, but then under "Surgery" they say "Fig might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using fig as medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery."

I suspect there really is an effect, but that its not quantified, so nothing definitive can be posted online. In view of recent worries about medicines, a nice big container with a young fig plant might be a really good idea https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/Profile?pid=106. Plug fig trees grow wild around here occasionally, and I've seen plenty hanging over fences from people's back gardens.

The fig tea/sauce (from the Leibowitz post above) has got me thrilled, though - something that tastes that good, that's healthy? Bring it on ....

[Arwen Thebard]

Adding to your great post, here are some other ideas from a permie perspective. We use ours in vegetable curries and dehydrate them for long term tea storage. It does have a very distinctive taste, so maybe try just a little before you go for any large scale use. Its easy enough to grow here in the SE-UK, but quite vigorous so be careful where you position and restrict / contain the root spread if you need to or it will get carried away very quickly.

https://ourpermaculturelife.com/do-you- ... pare-them/

[Arzosah]

Thanks Arwen! That's a great post, and a great website. I love the whole concept of permaculture, and I'd no idea fig tree greens could be included in that. I'm in SE England too, so I'll check out some product from the shops, but I'm hopeful!

[grenfell]

I've a customer who has a large fig tree/bush . Her house is converted stables and the bush grows in what is in effect a sheltered quadrangle . It gets some cracking figs on it and i've come back with a bag before now. I didn't know about the leaves although i'd wondered before now , probably after using the leaves on our grape vine. I've considered a fig tree as well , we have a south facing wall that would be decent enough to put it against . This topic might just give me a nudge . Thanks both.

[Arzosah]

You're welcome, grenfell, I'm glad its struck a chord. What stands out to me about fig leaves, vine leaves etc, all perennial plants really, is that you keep getting a crop for very little work. That appeals to me

[BlumKram]

Thanks Arwen for a great post, and also a great website. The whole concept of permaculture fascinates my mind))

[Arwen Thebard]

And being good preppers lets not forget the fig leaf use for clothing....

[Arwen Thebard]

I wish they weren't looking across at my avatar like that......rather disconcerting.

[Arzosah]

it's your image, matey and a very good one too.

[piglet]

Back to the original mention of reducing blood sugar.
I believe Almonds are supposed to have similar properties.