Ficus carica
Common fig
Ficus carica, commonly known as the common fig, is a versatile Mediterranean plant celebrated for its nutrient-dense fruit. Beyond its culinary appeal, this ancient species holds significant medicinal value. Rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber, it is traditionally used to support digestive health, promote heart wellness, and reduce inflammation.
- Scientific name: Ficus carica
- Family: Moraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Ficus carica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Rosales. Finally, it is a member of the family Moraceae and is situated within the genus Ficus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Moraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ficus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Ficus carica, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is called 無花果 (wúhuāguǒ), while in Tibetan, it is referred to as མེ་ཏོག་མེད་པའི་ཤིང་ཏོག. In Poland, the species is known as figowiec pospolity, and in the Basque language, it is called pikondo. Additionally, in Quechua, the plant is known as Igu.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 無花果 | Wikidata |
| bo | མེ་ཏོག་མེད་པའི་ཤིང་ཏོག | Wikidata |
| pl | figowiec pospolity | Wikidata |
| eu | pikondo | Wikidata |
| qu | Igu | Wikidata |
| bs | Smokva | Wikidata |
| ta | அத்தி | Wikidata |
| oc | Figuièra | Wikidata |
| to | Fiki kai | Wikidata |
| sw | Mtini | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted in Denmark and Great Britain. It can also be found growing within the landscapes of Ireland and Sweden. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species is established in Middle Europe. Specifically, its distribution extends to the country of Austria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the fig, contains various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The large, lobed leaves are often employed in traditional remedies, with each individual leaf providing specific bioactive compounds. When the stem or branches are broken, a milky white latex is released, which has been used historically for its various topical applications. Most notably, the edible fruit is highly valued for its nutritional content, and the ripening fruits serve as a significant source of fiber and antioxidants in many dietary practices.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 22
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| latex | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| unripe fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ripe dried fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polysaccharides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit pulp | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ficus carica has 90 reported phytochemicals identified across 114 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, coumarins, rutin, bergapten, psoralen.
- Total chemicals
- 90
- Scientific sources
- 114
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| coumarins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bergapten | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| psoralen | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| caffeoylmalic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferulic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ficus carica has 20 reported activities identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Anticancer, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 36
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiasthmatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ficus carica has 40 reported medicinal uses identified across 50 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, diabetes mellitus, inflammation, COVID-19, oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 40
- Scientific sources
- 50
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cutaneous leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glioblastoma multiforme | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |