Fici Caricae Fructus
Aliases：A Zang、A Yi、Di Zhen、Ying Ri Guo、You Tan Bo、Mi Guo、Wen Xian Guo、Nai Jiang Guo、Pin Xian Guo、Zheng Tao、Shu Di Gua
Wuhuaguo (Ficus Carica Fruit) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried or fresh ripe fruit of Ficus carica L. (family Moraceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Clear heat and promote fluid production, fortify the Spleen and stimulate appetite, resolve Toxin and reduce swelling.
Indications
Sore throat, dry cough with hoarseness, scanty lactation, constipation due to intestinal heat, poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery, carbuncles and swelling, tinea (fungal skin infection).
Modern Pharmacology
Fig (Ficus carica) has antitumor, cellular immunity-enhancing, analgesic, mild laxative, and antihypertensive effects, among others.
Ingredients
The fruit of Ficus carica (fig) contains a variety of bioactive components, which can be categorized as follows: Organic acids: Primarily citric acid, along with small amounts of fumaric acid, succinic acid, quinic acid, shikimic acid, etc. Amino acids: Aspartic acid, glycine, glutamic acid, leucine, methionine, alanine, etc. Protease: Ficin (fig protease). Vitamins and pigments: B vitamins, carotenoids such as carotene, lutein, violaxanthin, etc. Carbohydrates and proteins: Polysaccharides, proteins, and soluble sugars. Trace elements: Calcium, iron, and others.
Usage & Dosage
1. Internal use: 9–15 g in decoction (a large dose may be increased to 30–60 g); or 1–2 fresh figs, eaten raw. 2. External use: Appropriate amount, decocted for washing; or ground into powder and applied as a paste, or blown into the throat.
Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold.
Selected Formulas
1. For sore and swollen throat (from Shandong Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 7 fresh figs and 15 g of Jinyinhua (honeysuckle flower). Decoct in water and drink. 2. For hoarseness due to lung heat (from Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15 g of dried figs. Decoct in water, add rock sugar, and drink. 3. For dry cough or chronic cough (from Xinjiang Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 9 g of fig, 15 g of raisins, and 6 g of Gancao (licorice). Decoct in water and drink. 4. For insufficient breast milk (from Chongqing Herbal Medicine) Formula 1: 60 g fig, 60 g Shudigua root, 120–180 g Jinzhenhua root, and 60 g Naijiangteng. Stew with pork front trotters. Formula 2: 120 g fig, 120 g Naishen (a local herb), and 30 g Moyujiao (cuttlefish bone). Stew with pork belly. 5. For constipation (from Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take an appropriate amount of fresh figs and chew directly. Alternatively, crush dried figs and decoct in water, add raw honey, and drink warm on an empty stomach. 6. For indigestion‑related diarrhea (from Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 9 g each of stir‑fried fig, stir‑fried Shanzha (hawthorn), and stir‑fried Jineijin (chicken gizzard lining), plus 4.5 g of Houpo (magnolia bark). Decoct in water and drink. 7. For chronic persistent diarrhea (from Hunan Materia Medica) Take 5–7 figs. Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
1. Fig, Hemp Seed and Ophiopogon Lean Pork Soup Combined with hemp seed and Ophiopogon root, this soup is suitable for those with dry stools and dry mouth/throat. 2. American Ginseng, Red Date and Fig Pork Rib Soup Stewed with American ginseng and red dates, this soup is suitable for those experiencing heat symptoms from staying up late, and for those with qi‑yin deficiency. 3. Fig, Apricot Kernel and Pork Lung Soup With added pork lung and dried vegetables, this soup is suitable for long‑term dry cough and dry throat discomfort.
Medicinal Parts
dried inflorescence (syconium)
Selection & Storage
Dried product: Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from mold and insects. Fresh product: Short‑term storage in a refrigerator (0–4 °C).