Figs are well known for their mild laxative effect, so care should be exercised when consuming fig juice. Try a small quantity at first, prepared from two or three fresh figs. The laxative prepared from the more concentrated, dried figs alone is so mild that it is suitable for children, so the action of the fresh fruit should cause you no alarm. However the term, syrup of figs, is often used to describe “Compound Syrup of Figs”, this stronger laxative has added senna, rhubarb and cascara extract to make it much stronger.
Fig juice is also recognized for its soothing effect on irritated bronchia: passages. This demulcent action is soothing to the inflamed mucous membranes that produce catarrh during a cold. Fresh figs are a poor source of vitamin C, but they are a better source of vitamin B6 than most other fruits. Figs contain 110 mg of vitamin B6 per 100g.
Figs played an important part in the diet of both the ancient Greeks and Romans. The ancient Greeks fed large quantities to their athletes, the Spartans, in the belief that the fruit encouraged strength and swiftness. The Roman’s fed fresh figs to their slaves, particularly the agricultural workers, but dried figs were also widely consumed.