Figs are common - ficus carica l.

Mulberry family - Moraceae Link

Botanical characteristics. A family of crustaceans. Dioecious fruit deciduous tree 10 - 20 m high. The roots are wooden, powerful. Fruit is a small seed of the intramuscular ptering-like flower-type. Cotyledon - strongly overgrown with a flower mass of 20 - 75 g.

Spread. The native land of the plant is Asia Minor, where the best in the world varieties of figs are created. In the wild it occurs in India, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Pakistan, in the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Cultivated in the Crimea and the Caucasus.

Chemical composition. Fruits of figs contain sugars, pectin, proteins, fats, organic acids (malic, citric), anthocyanin glycosides, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, PP, pantothenic and folic acids, carotene, minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus , Iron, copper). In the leaves of the plant - furokumarin, psoralen and bergapten, tannins and resinous substances, rutin, ascorbic acid, essential oil.

Application. Decoction of fruits on milk is given for coughing attacks, taken as an antitumor agent. Coty have a mild laxative effect. As a dietary product, figs are used for thromboembolic diseases, diseases of the cardiovascular system, with anemia in weakened patients, under irradiation. Patients with diabetes, figs are contraindicated mainly because of the high content of sugars in fruits.

In folk medicine, infusion of fig leaves is drunk with cough, bronchial asthma, enteritis and enterocolitis, with cystitis, kidney stone disease, angina, furunculosis, cardiovascular diseases, as a hemopoietic agent.

Preparation

• Infusion of leaves of figs ordinary : 1 tbsp. L. Dry crushed leaves pour 250 ml of boiling water and insist for an hour. Filter and drink 0.5 glasses 3-4 times a day before meals with cough, after irradiation.
• Decoction of spruces of figs is ordinary : 50 g of dry fruit are poured in 1 liter of boiling water and boiled for 30 minutes on low heat. Take 0.5 cup 3 times a day with fruits for constipation.
• Decoction dry figs of figs on milk : 20 g of dry fruit is poured with 1 glass of boiling milk and simmer for 10 minutes. They drink a decoction with hot springs when coughing, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, tumors.

Use in nutrition

Fruits of figs are consumed in fresh, dried and dried form. Of these, jam, jams, pastille, canned goods, candies, compotes, gingerbreads, coffee-surrogate, wine are prepared. Low varieties of figs go to the preparation of vinegar.

• Compote : Take unripe fruit, wash thoroughly, remove the stems and blanch for 5-10 minutes. Stacked in cans and poured hot syrup (400 g sugar to 0.6 liters of water). Filled cans are covered with lids, sterilized for 12 to 15 minutes and then slowly cooled. Store in a cool dry place.
• Jam : The figs are washed, put in enameled dishes, add 0.15 l of water to 1 kg of fruit and boil for 10-15 minutes. Then pour in the syrup (900 g of sugar, 0.3 liters of water and 2 g of citric acid per 1 kg of fruit), boil for another 15 minutes. Defend for 1 hour, boil until ready, put into jars, tightly close and cool. Store in a cool place.