FIG Overview Information
Fig is a tree. The fruit is commonly eaten. The fruit and leaves are used to make medicine.
Fig FRUIT is used as a laxative to relieve constipation.
Fig LEAF is used for diabetes, high cholesterol, and skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo.
Some people apply the milky sap (LATEX) from the tree directly to the skin to treat skin tumors and warts.
How does it work?
Fig leaf contains chemicals that might help people with type 1 diabetes use insulin more efficiently.
FIG Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Diabetes. Developing research in people suggests that a tea made from fig leaves may reduce insulin requirements in people with type 1 diabetes. It also seems to lower blood sugar levels after eating.
- Constipation.
- Other conditions.
FIG Side Effects & Safety
Fresh or dried fig fruit is safe for most people when used in food amounts. Fig LEAF appears to be safe for most people when used for up to one month as a medicine. In high doses, fig LATEX, the sap from the tree, might cause bleeding in the digestive tract in some people.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure when taking fig LEAF because it can cause skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. Wear sunblock outside, especially if you are light-skinned. Fig FRUIT is unlikely to cause sun sensitivity.
Skin contact with fig fruit or leaves can cause rash in sensitive people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Fresh or dried fig fruit is safe in amounts found in food, but there’s not enough information to know if it’s safe in the larger amounts that are used as medicine.Surgery: 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.
FIG Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Insulin interacts with FIG
Fig leaf might decrease blood sugar. Insulin is also used to decrease blood sugar. Taking fig leaf along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with FIG
Fig leaf supplements seem to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking fig leaf along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
FIG Dosing
The appropriate dose of fig depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for fig. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
