公元前三千年,無花果原產阿拉伯南部,後傳入敘利亞、土耳其等地。據說古羅馬時代,無花果樹曾庇護羅馬創立者羅慕路斯王子,躲過了兇殘的妖婆和啄木鳥追趕,這守護之神被稱「聖果」,是祭祀果品。無花果也常在《聖經》中出現。十世紀傳入法國、英國,十七世紀傳到美國加利福尼亞州,那是十分適宜栽種地區,為重要產區,傾銷世界。無花果自唐代傳入中國,西藏是主產區。
<聖經>故事中亞當夏娃偷吃禁果之後,有了羞恥之心,就地取材拿了樹葉來蔽體,那片用來遮蓋重要部份的樹葉,就是無花果樹的樹葉。
無花果含葡萄糖、果糖、蔗糖、檸檬酸、琥珀酸、延胡索酸、丙二酸、草酸、蘋果酸、澱粉、糖化酶、脂肪酶、蛋白酶、胡蘿蔔素、核黃素、維生素 B、維生素 C、鉀、鈣、磷、鐵等。乾無花果含鉀量尤其豐富,每 100 克含鉀 970 毫克。
現代研究發現,無花果含有抗腫瘤的成份,可以抑制癌細胞,預防肝癌、胃癌發生,提高免疫功能。
無花果微量元素鉀最能強化腦血管,能防止頭腦老化的食療成份。
地中海地方,尤其土耳其人,認為無花果有壯陽作用;其食療方為無花果醬混合無花果、合桃、蜜糖吃之。
The nutritional value of fresh figs is comparable to that of many other fruits. Fig is high in calcium, and low in calorie but rich in phosphorus. It also contains water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, ash, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin.
The fruit is mildly laxative, demulcent (soothing), digestive and pectoral (something worn on the breast). The unripe green fruits are cooked with other foods as a galactogogue and tonic. The roasted fruit is emollient and used as a poultice in the treatment of gumboils, dental abscesses, etc.
Syrup of figs, made from the fruit, is a well-known and effective gentle laxative that is also suitable for the young and very old.
A decoction of the leaves is stomachic. The leaves are also added to boiling water and used as a steam bath for painful or swollen piles.
A decoction of the young branches is an excellent pectoral. The plant has anticancer properties.