Health Article - Figs

This article is from a newsletter courtesy of Chet Day.

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Fabulous Age-Defying Figs

People have been using figs since ancient times. In the Old Testament, King Hezekiah was sick unto death and Isaiah called for a lump of figs and the king recovered.

The active agent in figs is benzaldehyde. The Japanese identified this ingredient after giving it to cancer patients and seeing dramatic results.

Fig juice has also killed bacteria in test tubes and roundworms in dogs. The enzymes in figs, called "ficins" aid digestion.

The patients that the Japanese gave the fig substance to generally lived longer. So eat your figs as they are a tasty age defying food!

Fig Exfoliators:

Fresh figs make wonderful mild exfoliators. They contain an active enzyme that helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin just the way pineapple and papaya does.

Fresh figs are always best, but dried figs will do if fresh are not available. If using dried figs, first soak them in water for 15-20 minutes to soften them.

You can use figs in the shower to scrub your body. The tiny seeds in the figs will gently polish your skin.

Fig mask: Slice the fig in half and turn inside out.

Scrape out the flesh and mash well with a fork. Apply to the skin and leave on for up to 5 minutes. Because of the figs high enzyme content, don't leave the mask on longer than 5 minutes. Rinse with tepid water.
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