Experience in treating skin diseases with figs.

According to the book "Vietnamese Plants," the Ficus genus has about 65 fig species, of which about 10 species produce large, sweet, and edible fruits when ripe.

According to the book "Vietnamese Plants," the genus Ficus has about 65 fig species, of which about 10 species produce large, sweet, and edible fruits when ripe. In Vietnam, the most well-known is the cluster fig (scientific name Ficus racemosa L).

Figs are false fruits that grow in clusters on the trunk or old branches. When ripe, they are red and sweet. Unripe figs are slightly astringent and contain a lot of sap. Besides the sweet ripe figs, unripe figs can be eaten fresh or pickled. Young leaves are used as a vegetable to accompany dishes like fermented pork rolls or salads. Additionally, during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), people use clusters of figs on the five-fruit platter as a symbol of prosperity.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, figs are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, with effects of reducing swelling and detoxifying, and can be used to treat inflammation, boils, and rashes... Fig leaves are sweet, slightly bitter, and neutral in nature, with effects of detoxifying and reducing swelling, and can be used to treat swelling and skin ulcers...

Fig leaves help treat shingles.

Here are some remedies for skin diseases using figs.

Chickenpox: Use 100-150g of fresh fig leaves, boil them to make a decoction, and apply it to the chickenpox lesions with a cotton swab 3-5 times a day. Alternatively, take a piece of fig bark about the size of two hands, scrape off the hard outer layer, crush it, and boil it in water. Once the water has cooled down to lukewarm, bathe in it. Generally, results are seen after 3-5 days. Many people have used this method and found it effective.

Treatment for shingles: Wash fig leaves thoroughly, dry them, chop them into small pieces, add a little vinegar, mash them into a paste, and apply to the affected area. Replace the paste when it dries.

Boils: during the stage of swelling and pus formation. Chop the stem of a fig tree, collect a small cup of sap, and apply it directly to the affected area. Apply continuously several times a day. Alternatively, mix fig tree sap with young leaves, crush them, and apply the mixture to the boil. When the boil has pus and you want to extract the core, crush an onion with the fig tree sap and leaves and apply as above, leaving the opening exposed.

To treat breast swelling and pain, use the above method as a poultice, leaving the nipple exposed.

Treatment for burns: Dry fig leaves, roast them until golden brown, grind them into a fine powder, mix well with lard, and apply to minor burns of degree 1 or 2 to relieve pain and burning. Apply several times a day.

For acne on the face: boil fig leaves (with tumors) in hot water and use the steam to wash your face daily.

For children with scabies: crush young fig leaves and rub them on the affected area; the scabs will fall off.

Attention:Distinguishing the fig tree from the West Asian fig tree (scientific name Ficus carica L). This is an introduced tree widely cultivated in Nha Trang, tolerant of drought. The tree is 2-5m tall, with hairy, large, long leaves (1-3 inches) that are rounded and somewhat resemble papaya leaves. The fruit is large, round or oval, and very sweet when ripe. It is often eaten fresh like grapes, dried, or made into jam like dates. The sap of this fig tree is used to treat warts and eczema by applying it directly to the wart twice a day. Usually, the wart falls off after 5-6 days. If it is not completely healed, continue applying until it is completely gone.

However, these fig leaves have hairs that can cause skin irritation, so caution should be exercised and they should not be used.

According to VOV