Ficus Tree (Weeping Fig) Benefits

The Ficus Tree is native throughout the tropics, including Asia, America, and Africa. They often serve as decorative plants, food plants, and religious symbols. Some ficus trees are also known as fig trees and produce well-known fruit.

Most commonly known as a Weeping Fig, the Ficus Benjamina) tree is a prevalent name in the medicinal world. It is a very effective source of purification in households. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, the ficus tree effectively cleans airborne formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

The ficus tree (Weeping Fig) is ideal for every home with the increasing demand for natural herbal remedies. As with every facet of life, every benefit comes at a price. Let’s gain more insight into the benefits that the ficus tree offers and the side effects and precautions to be taken when using the ficus tree products.

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Health Benefits Of The Ficus Tree To Humans

Each part of the ficus tree (Weeping Fig) can contribute towards benefitting humans. Let’s examine the benefit that each part offers;

How Does The Fruit Of The Ficus Tree Benefit Humans?

The fruit typically has a bulbous shape with a small opening known as the ostiole; this is situated at the outer end, allowing pollinator’s access. A fig “fruit” has the appearance of multiple fruits known as syconium. The many small flowers are unseen unless the fig is cut open.

Ficus carica fruit on tree in Thailand
Yay Ficus carica fruit on tree in Thailand

The Weeping Fig has been known for its benefit as a laxative to relieve constipation. The fruit of the ficus tree can also have a medicinal value in treating hypertension. The World Health Organization describes hypertension as a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases.

An estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension.

Figs contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin-A, vitamin-E vitamin-C, and iron, promoting hair growth.

How Do The Leaves Of The Ficus Tree Benefit Humans

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is managed with a proper diet and medication. The ficus leaves can aid in the treatment of diabetes. It can also assist in the reduction of high cholesterol.

Eczema, Vitiligo, and Psoriasis are skin diseases that can cause skin irritation; the application of the ficus tree leaves can help combat this skin disease and provide much relief from itching and redness of the skin.

The ficus leaves make great insect repellents that assist in keeping insects such as mosquitos at bay due to the strong, pungent smell that the leaves possess.

ficus leaves
Yay Ficus leaves

The leaves’ phenolic compounds help increase the body’s antioxidant defense system. These phenolic compounds help protect the body from cancer, renal failure, and degenerative diseases.

Respiratory disorders are known to affect humans of all ages. The ficus tree leaves have become quite popular in treating these respiratory problems.

Ficus tree leaves are used to treat piles, vomiting, leprosy, malaria, and nose diseases.

How Does The Sap (Latex) Benefit Humans?

Although the milky sap found in ficus stems and leaves is toxic to both humans and pets, it can assist in treating tumors and warts.

Special Precautions For Humans When Using Ficus Tree

Although the Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) provides many health benefits, some special precautions and warnings need to be considered.

During Pregnancy And Breast Feeding

Consume the fruit of the ficus tree in small amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is not enough information to substantiate their safety when consumed in larger doses.

Sensitivity To Latex And Mulberry

People sensitive to mulberry, natural rubber latex might have an allergic reaction to the ficus tree. Due to the latex in the ficus tree, people with allergies have to take extra precautions as exposure to the sap could cause anaphylactic shock. The effect is not always immediate, as regular exposure can cause an allergic reaction over time.

Latex allergy sufferers can also be susceptible to bleeding in the digestive tract if they continue using ficus tree supplements for more than a month.

The Application Of Ficus Leaf To The Skin

When applying the leaf of the ficus tree to the skin, it can be unsafe by causing extra sensitivity to the sun’s rays. It is therefore advisable to wear sunblock and to avoid prolonged sun exposure.

Diabetics

Eating the fruit of the ficus tree (Weeping Fig) might lower blood sugar in the case of diabetics. If you opt to try out one fruit, closely monitor your blood sugar levels.

Patients That Are Scheduled For Surgery

If scheduled for surgery, it is advisable to stop using the ficus tree as medicine at least two weeks prior. There is concern it might cause the blood sugar levels to fluctuate during surgery.

Are Ficus Trees Safe For Pets?

The ficus tree contains toxins like fiction, furocoumarins, and ficusin. If accidentally consumed, these compounds can cause dermal and gastrointestinal irritation to cats and dogs which can cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. If your pet has ingested the ficus plant, please ensure that you contact your veterinarian immediately.

Are Ficus Trees Safe To Be Used By Humans?

The emission of the sap from the ficus tree is highly toxic. Contact with the sap can lead to an allergic reaction. Try to avoid keeping the ficus tree within easy reach of children. Contact with the tree can cause itchiness of the eyes, wheezing, coughing and minor skin irritations.

Skin irritations will generally occur immediately after contact with the tree. The skin irritation may only last for a few minutes, but should it persist, please seek immediate medical attention.

Weeping fig Ficus benjamina at office
Yay Weeping fig – Ficus Benjamina at office

Are Ficus Trees Good Indoor Plants?

Fiscus trees are trendy indoor plants. It is so simple to grow them that even a beginner-level gardener will fare well in this department. They are low-maintenance plants that require ample sunlight and a proper watering routine to flourish.

As with any tree, the ficus tree also has its fair share of side effects. The most toxic part of the tree would be the sap that this tree omits. To ensure that you are not caught up in this toxic situation, it would be advisable to wear gloves during pruning.

The ficus tree (Weeping Fig) will add height and presence to any indoor space and remove formaldehyde from the home. This colorless gas can cause lung disease with a pungent, irritating odor.

Appropriate Dose Of Ficus Leaf Supplements For Humans?

The appropriate dose of ficus leaf supplements is dependent on the age of the user, the current health condition and a host of other health-related conditions.

To date, scientific information has not determined an appropriate range of doses of the ficus tree. It is essential always to understand that natural products are not necessarily safe, and dosages can be significant. Relevant directions need to be followed on product labels. Before use, it is advisable to consult a pharmacist or physician.

Spiritual Beliefs Of Humans Concerning The Ficus Tree

The ficus tree is seen as a tree of peace and abundance in the Middle East. Many believe in the spiritual symbolization that the tree’s seed represents; unity and universal understanding and knowledge.

This tree is shared among wealthy households and businesses; this stems from the belief that owning a ficus tree symbolizes great leadership unity and success.

Large wild ficus trees are considered holy in East Asia, as many Buddhist believe that Buddha gained enlightenment under such a tree. In Indonesia, the ficus tree links the human and the spirit world.

Conclusion

Since the evolution of humanity, man has had no other medicine other than plants. During this time, the man stumbled upon the medicinal value of trees. Many centuries later, despite us having evolved, we still seem to channel our energy in that direction as many prefer natural herbal remedies as their source of self-medicating.

The ficus tree is one of those trees that will add to the aesthetics of your home and provide that something extra in the health benefits department. With the array of features that this tree offers, I am sure you will derive some benefit from this tree.