The figs have many names: fig, fig, Smirninskaya or toffee, bodhi. It belongs to the oldest cultures that people cultivated. Figs are used for healing various diseases, for general strengthening of the body and maintaining immunity, for culinary and cosmetic purposes.
The most ancient discovery of petrified fruit was found in the Jordan Valley. Due to the absolute periodization, their age is determined - at least 11 thousand years. 
Judging by the multiple data recorded in historical sources, the exceptional properties of figs are known and used since ancient times. Nowadays, it has not lost its healing and nutritional qualities, nor popularity.
Calorie and chemical composition
Fruits of figs, depending on the variety, are yellow, black and blue and black. They are extremely tasty and rich in nutrients.
Calorie fresh figs are not too large, despite the fact that it has a very sweet taste. Fresh berries contain 49-57 kcal per 100 g. 
Due to dehydration, the volume of dried berries decreases and the concentration of sugars increases. Its caloric value becomes 244-257 kcal per 100 g.
Did you know? Figs are sacred in many countries of Europe and Asia, in Egypt and India and in other parts of the world where it grows. Its useful properties, so valuable in the ancient world, determined its popularity. Egyptian tradition bestows its fertile qualities, Indian - Islamic tradition considers fig as a creator, giving spiritual enlightenment and immortality, the very heavenly tree on which the forbidden fruits grow.
For 100 g of the product, fig contains approximately:
- proteins - 3 g;
- fat 0.8 g;
- carbohydrate - 58 g;
- dietary fiber - 18 g;
- organic, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids - 2.4 g;
- water - 16 g;
- Saccharides - 55 g;
- starch - 3 g;
- ash - 3 g;
- calcium - 144 mg;
- magnesium - 59 mg;
- sodium - 11 mg;
- potassium - 710 mg;
- phosphorus - 68 mg;
- iron - 0.3 mg.
Although figs - quite high-calorie foodst, its unique composition allows you to enter these berries in the diet.Useful properties of figs
The fruits of wine grapes consumed in fresh and dried. At the same time, all the benefits of fresh berries are preserved and even increase in dried fruits by increasing the concentration of substances as the amount of water decreases.
They contribute:
- rapid recovery after illness;
- improvement of digestive processes;
- stimulation of the cardiovascular system;
- correct liver function;
- expectoration when coughing;
- curing tonsillitis;
- bowel cleansing;
- removal of toxic substances from the body.
Types of effects of figs and drugs from it on the body:- anti-inflammatory;
- expectorant;
- diuretic;
- antiulcer;
- antiseptic;
- antiparasitic;
- diaphoretic;
- antifebrile;
- wound healing;
- laxative.
Did you know? Fig leaves, according to biblical legend, were the first clothes of the first people. In the images that have come down from antiquity and rebirth, glorifying the beauty of the body, the genitals are covered by them. Probably, they were chosen due to the shape close to the male genital organ.
Fresh
Fresh grape has exceptional healing properties:
- It is used in the treatment of fungal diseases.
- Whoever regularly eats figs strengthens their bones. This is especially important for older people.
- Fresh figs should be used with caution in the diet of pregnant and lactating women: its benefits are certain, but harm to the body is also likely. A pregnant woman can gain weight at an accelerated rate, or her blood sugar level rises. He can provoke colic in an infant by passing through mother's milk.
- It also has a beneficial effect on the skin.
- Due to its iron content, fig juice is used in the treatment of anemia.
- Magnesium and potassium in the composition of the product provide muscle building material and contribute to the improvement of the heart muscle, it is useful for tachycardia.
- The tart berry has the valuable quality of blood thinning, which helps lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Important! The use of figs in the diet is a prophylactic measure of the disease with ischemic disease, the likelihood of hypertension and heart attack also decreases. Eating this wonderful berry reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis and even diabetes mellitus.
The treatment uses fresh fruits, juice, decoctions and infusions of them. Infusions provide anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, have a regulating effect on metabolism. Milk figs are very popular.
Dried
Despite the fact that all useful substances remain in dried fruits, their properties are somewhat different. 
By reducing the amount of water, the level of sugars in them increases to 70%. At the same time, the level of vitamins, minerals, micro and macro elements and other substances remains the same.
Learn how to dry plums, apples and pears at home.Since most people can use dried figs, it makes sense to consider the benefits of it and whether there is any harm to the body.
Did you know? Buddhism treats fig as a symbol of illumination, thanks to the fact that it was under this tree that the Buddha came to realize the meaning of life. The tree is also sacred in the Roman Empire, since under its shadow the she-wolf fed her milk Romulus and Rem. - The founders of Rome.
Thanks to dried figs available at any time of the year:
- bowel motility improves;
- the body removes toxins and toxins;
- bowel function improves;
- connective tissue and cartilage grow together better due to the pectins contained in the fruit;
- antioxidants help clean the blood of cholesterol plaques, clean small blood vessels and give them elasticity;
- iron, potassium and magnesium have a positive effect on the cardiovascular and circulatory systems of the body, normalize blood pressure, rhythm and heart rate.
- boiled with milk, it is commonly used as an expectorant, diaphoretic and febrifuge;
- B vitamins have a positive effect on the nervous system: improve mood, normalize nervous activity, increase efficiency.
Important! Due to the pronounced laxative effect, it is not recommended to eat figs before a responsible event, a trip, etc.
A fig is considered to be a “female berry”, with all sorts of beliefs, signs and recipes that intricately entwine the rational and mythical sides.
What is useful figs dried, carrying its glory from time immemorial, for women?
- Those who wish to lose unwanted kilograms can use the method in which one “fig” day is arranged weekly. In fact, in addition to 100 g of dried fruit on this day, it is supposed to consume a kilogram of raw fruit, half a kilo of raw vegetables and 2 liters of nonfat kefir.
- Women love sweets, but often have to avoid them. An excellent alternative would be a few dried figs, which, with all the sweets, are much more useful than chocolates, candies, chips, etc.
- From the practice of Oriental medicine, recommendations have been taken to relieve menstrual pains by eating several fig berries.
- Figs can not only contribute to dropping excess weight, but also help to gain the missing, if you know how to eat it: regular use in large quantities due to the caloric content of the product will quickly add kilograms, while metered consumption will help clean the intestines, thereby reducing weight.
How to choose
Fresh figs, untreated and useful, you can eat only where it grows, because it has an extremely short shelf life - just a few hours after removal from the tree.
He fully justifies one of his names "tartberry" - fermentation begins very quickly.
Did you know? An obscene gesture called “fig”, symbolizing sexual intercourse or demonstration of sexual organs by different interpretations, has ancient roots and is, depending on the situation and culture, an insult, an obscene suggestion, a magical way to get rid of evil spirits, a manifestation of disagreement and resistance, refusal from obedience and even a remedy, for example, from barley.
Fresh fruit
Needless to say, it is better not to buy anything from suspicious strangers and in unchecked places, including figs. 
The aroma of the berries is pleasant and sweet, it should not be too rich. If the fruit gives staleness, it is spoiled. Fresh quality fruits should be:
- without mechanical damage;
- moderately mild;
- maximum dark shade inherent in this variety;
- should prefer berries of the same size
- A large number of seeds indicates a high taste.
Important! Never buy hard, unripe fruit - they do not "reach" at home, like apricots or tomatoes.
Dried figs
Dried fruits are more available, they can be purchased at any time of the year. Choose brown, beige or gray berries, depending on the variety. 
Tips on Choosing Dried Figs:
- Fruits should have a matte color regardless of the color dictated by the variety. Shiny beautiful berries are treated with sulfur dioxide.
- Especially fleshy berries untreated with chemistry also do not differ.
- Quality product a little flattened.
- Sometimes the surface is covered with white bloom, which is crystallized glucose. Such a product is sweet.
- Dry rough texture in combination with a sour or salty flavor suggests that the product is overdue.
- Even if you are confident in the quality of the purchased product, it is better to soak it in water for an hour before use in order to dissolve possible harmful compounds.
Did you know? Jesus on the fig tree did not find the fruits and put a curse on him, after which the tree withered, so the dried fig tree in the Christian tradition - symbol of heresy.
How to store
The fig berry is to be stored in a processed form, and the fresh one has an ultrashort shelf life.
Fresh fruit
If you are lucky to be in the end of summer in the region where this amazing berry grows, and you managed to get it for eating, eat it as soon as possible. 
If there is a need for storage, use a refrigerator. The temperature should be about 1 ° C. The maximum shelf life is a few days., depending on the initial state of the product.
Left at room temperature, the figs ferment on the same day.
You can also freeze it. This will help preserve the valuable properties of the product. Such raw materials should be stored at -15 ° C.
Dried
Not everyone knows how to store dried figs. In a dry, cool, dark place, it is stored for several months: the longer the drier the air and the lower the temperature. At non-observance of conditions the product becomes damp, harmful insects get in it. The container must be tightly sealed. Sunlight is excluded.
Did you know? The ancient Greeks attributed to fig fruits the ability to endow courage and give strength, so the athletes who spoke at the Olympics, included figs in the diet and absorbed in large quantities. Warriors took dried berries with them, especially if they had to endure long and tedious transitions.
Before use, it is advisable to soak dried figs for an hour in warm water, which will dissolve the chemicals. Boiling water can destroy part of the useful substances of the product.
Cooking Application
A healthy person can eat fig berries in any form. 
This exotic product will bring its notes to any dish:
- in fresh or dried form they are replaced by sweets and chocolates;
- dried fruits are added to compotes, used in fillings for cakes and other products;
- unripe berries cannot be eaten raw, but they become very tasty, sliced and baked with nuts and honey;
- ripe fruits, sliced and dressed with whipped cream or sour cream, is an exquisite and nutritious dessert;
- Fig tree berries served with soft cheeses are a great snack for white wine or champagne;
- add the product to meat dishes, poultry dishes, salads, snacks;
- Of course, this fruit is harvested in traditional ways: jam, jam, marshmallow, canned fruit drinks;
- of fig berries even make wine.
In addition to figs for culinary purposes, they also use momordika, blueberry, plum, ginger, apricot, and cornel.
Did you know? The ancient Greek culture also gave fig fruits a frankly erotic meaning. They symbolized the genitals: the whole - men cut in half - women. This information goes back to IX-VIII centuries BC. er Figs are invariably present on the images of the god of fertility and winemaking of Dionysus, whose service had a frankly erotic meaning.
Application in cosmetology
It is not surprising that such a useful product found its application and occupied a worthy niche in cosmetology.
It has the ability to regenerate, moisturize and soften. It is applied for:
- moisturizing the skin;
- eliminate peeling;
- rejuvenation;
- anti wrinkles.
Daily cleansing, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing masks and blends with fig fruits are widely used and bring tangible effect.In cosmetology, thyme, pineapple, broccoli, ginger, strawberry, watermelon, radish, amaranth, bird cherry, apricot are considered the most common plants.
Contraindications and harm
Figs - unique product, the useful properties of which have been known for a long time and are used to this day, but it also has contraindications.
It is not recommended to use it for those who suffer:
- acute inflammatory processes of any part of the gastrointestinal tract;
- diabetes;
- gout;
- obesity;
- pancreatitis;
- urolithiasis.
Despite the minimum contraindications, people who do not have them, do not eat figs in large quantities. Adequate daily intake for a healthy body. - 2-4 pieces.Fig has an undeniable benefit and occupies a worthy place among the healing products. It is not only useful, but also very tasty both by itself and in combination with other products: its presence adds exotic notes to the dishes.
Despite the nutritional and healing value, before adding this miracle berry to the diet, contraindications and individual intolerance should be excluded.
