How to Make Fig Leaf Tea: EASY Recipe & Health Benefits

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Fig Leaf tea is a flavorful herbal tea made from fresh leaves off of a fig tree, fresh ginger, and orange zest. Fig leaves (Ficus carica) have some incredible health benefits and taste delicious!

The large leaves on a fig tree have a beautiful sweet earthy flavor with hints of coconut. It makes a delicious hot tea for a chilly afternoon. They can be used to flavor ice cream, make a sweet simple syrup, and fig leaf tea. Fig leaf tea has been used for generations to treat high blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar, upset stomachs, and treat heart disease, and also has several other health benefits.

What is Fig Leaf Tea?

Fig Leaf tea is a flavorful herbal tea made from the fresh leaves of a fig tree, fresh ginger, and orange zest. It has some incredible health benefits and taste delicious!

Fig Leaf Tea Health Benefits

Fig-leaf tea has been used for a very long time as a natural remedy for many things. Its various health benefits have been recognized more in more recent years and used in home remedies like treating skin conditions, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and reducing oxidative stress.

The National Institute of Health has a great study published about this home remedy, I encourage you to read it. This study explains how fig leaves, extracts, and fruit have been found in several studies to possibly help treat digestive disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, skin disease, respiratory disorders, and liver disease. It goes on to describe the properties like anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ones, that can fight Alzheimer’s, Convulsions, and Tuberculosis.

It is not just a delicious tea with health benefits. Fig leaf tea also contains many vital nutrients. This study the National Institute of Health published lists vitamins and minerals that fig leaf tea has, like zinc, vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, potassium, and iron.

Promote Digestion:

Fig leaves have been found to treat diarrhea, ulcers, nausea, and stomach complaints. Unani studies describe fig can cure constipation, dysentery, enteritis, and piles because of its laxative, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, and purgative properties. The consumption of figs on a regular basis can reduce the incidence of carcinogenesis. Colon cancer can be prevented because the fiber in figs promotes the fast removal of waste from the body. The fig seeds are rich in mucin that binds to waste and fluid in the gut and removes them

Improve Vascular & Heart Health:

Fig extract has shown the potential to be used to treat cardiovascular illnesses from the rutin, quercetin, and flavone it contains. Fig can lower triglycerides, which are a major contributor to heart disease, thus supporting heart health. Additionally, fig contains phenols essential fatty acids, and omega-6 fatty acids. Fig extract has antioxidant abilities, which help eliminate free radicals that lead to vascular blockages. Thus potentially preventing things like strokes and blood clots.

Stabilize blood Sugar:

In Pakistan, they use a decoction of the fig leaf to treat diabetes. improving insulin sensitivity, causing the release of insulin, increasing hepatocellular aerobic glycolysis, decreasing the up-take of carbs, attempting to regulate bowel tract enzyme reactions, and increasing the peripheral glucose uptake. The in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the essential oil and polyphenol components from many Ficus species have anti-diabetic properties.

There was a clinical trial done back in 1998 where drinking fig leaf tea decreased the insulin requirement by 12% in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Anticancer Properties:

Another study shows the potential for fig leaf extracts to treat and prevent cervical cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, and liver cancer cells. Bergapten and psoralen are two factors of fig leaf extract that have been linked to having anticancer effects. It may be useful in building blocks for creating medicines that inhibit cancer cell proliferation.

Promote Healthy Skin:

The fig leaf juice contains furanocoumarins, specifically psoralen, and daidzein, and because of this can cure vitiligo.

Respiratory disorders:

It is a valuable natural treatment for respiratory disorders like asthma and cough.

Allergies:

Allergies we suppressed effectively with fig leaf tea as shown in this study.

Skin Diseases:

Fig extract (made from fruit and leaves) is being used as a new topical treatment for atopic dermatitis, or eczema, in children. This study shows they seem to be having better results from an extract of figs made with water than the typical 1% hydrocortisone cream but with no side effects. Fig leaf tea is rich in phenols, and flavonoids and with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, which aid us in atopic dermatitis treatment. In addition, F. Carica contains a high number of amino acids and is rich in zinc, calcium, magnesium, and copper which are effective in wound healing.

Anti-Wrinkles:

This study shows that fig leaf extract improves wrinkles by inhibiting collagenase.

Antioxidant:

The antioxidative phytochemicals in grains, vegetables, fruits, and medicinal plants are noticed for their potential to prevent disease in humans. One of these actions is free radical scavenging. According to studies the antioxidants found in fig leaves have some of the highest antioxidant capacity.

Osteoporosis:

Fig-leaf tea can help increase the density of bones as shown in this study.

beautiful purple figs growing on a fig tree

Other:

Fig leaf tea also shows the potential to help fight against liver disorders, Alzheimer’s, convulsions, inflammatory, bacterial, and tuberculose.

Fig Leaves have phytochemicals Caffeoylmalic acid, psoralic acid-glucoside, rutin, psoralen, and bergapten. Quercetin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, rutin and trans-cinnamic acid, Antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase. Fig has more phenolic compounds than both coffee and red wine.

The bioactive compounds are extracted from the latex of figs including 6-O-acyl-b-D-glucosyl-bsitosterols or AGS (the acyl methyl group: palmitoyl, linoleyl, stearyl and oleyl). Compared to linoleyl, stearyl and oleyl derivatives, the palmitoyl derivative of AGS functions as the most effective inhibitor for various cancer cell lines [58]. An in vitro study showed that AGS suppresses the growth of the cancer cell lines. The finding showed that AGS is the most effective anticancer agent

Another investigation revealed the potential possibility of fig leaf extracts for treating and preventing cervical melanoma

Possible Side Effects

It is good to be aware that fig tree sap can cause skin irritations and latex allergic reaction in very rare cases. So pay attention if you have never picked fig leaves before to how your skin feels.

Fig leaf tea is used as a laxative for constipation. So using common sense, just don’t drink an excessive amount which could induce the opposite reaction, diarrhea.

Make sure you speak to your healthcare provider and ask if there are any interactions with the medication you are taking. If you are pregnant or nursing, double-check with them also if it is safe for you to be drinking fig leaf tea. We all respond to herbs, supplements, and medicine differently. Make sure you go slow and note any adverse reactions.

What Does Fig Leaf Tea Taste Like?

Fig leaf tea has an earthy yet simple flavor profile. It is slightly sweet and tastes great on its own with nothing else added, not even sweetener. However, I like it best with the added flavor profiles in this recipe and a hint of some raw honey.

It’s perfect for company on a hot southern day, served over ice. They won’t even suspect that it is healthy!

How to Make Fig Leaf Tea

The simplest way is to make tea with just straight fig leaves. Both dry and fresh work fine. The longer you steep it, the more medicinal qualities the water will extract. Sweeten with some local raw honey and enjoy. But for a more complex and incredibly robust flavor, this is how I like to make my fig leaf tea! All of these are absolutely optional, if you don’t have them, just skip them.

Ingredients

Fresh Fig Leaves
Fresh Ginger
Orange
Cinnamon
Mint
Cardamom

Step 1

Wash the Ingredients in cold water. Take the fresh leaves, orange, and fresh ginger and give it a good rinse in the sink. If you have time, what I like to do is fill the sink partway with clean water and add a Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to make sure they are good and clean. Then pat dry.

Step 2

Prep the Ingredients. Peel the orange with a vegetable peeler. Slice the ginger into ½-inch thick slices. Then cut or rip the leaves into large pieces. Take out a baking sheet and layer this all on top, trying to spread it out evenly.

Step 3

Dry the ingredients. Bake in the oven at 200* Fahrenheit for 1-3 hours until leaves are dry and crispy. Or you can use a food dehydrator according to the settings.

Step 4

Crush Dry Tea ingredients. Break up the dried tea ingredients into small pieces with your hands or a food processor. Place in a glass canning jar with a lid and store in a dry dark cupboard. Will store for up to 3 months.

Step 5

Steep Tea with Tea Infuser Ball. Fill the infuser ball with the dried tea mixture, and place it in a teapot. Fill with water and bring to a boil. Turn off and steep for 10 minutes before serving. If you feel like it has a bitter taste you can steep it for less time next time or simply sweeten it with some local raw honey if desired.

Steep tea without the Tea Infuser Ball. Pour 16 oz of water into a small pot and add 2 Tablespoons of the dried tea mix. Bring to a boil then turn off. For best results, cover with a lid and steep for 10 minutes minimum or overnight in the fridge for a stronger herbal decoction. Sweeten with some local raw honey if desired.

dried fig leaves with cup of fig leaf tea

Where do I Find Fig Leaves?

The simplest place would be if you had your own trees to just pick some. My favorite variety is the brown turkey fig tree, it is a common one in the Mediterranean region. But you could check with family, friends, and neighbors to see if they have a fig tree too. Even checking Facebook groups and marketplaces might work.

If you can’t find any fresh ones to pick, the next best source would be online. Here is an Amazon link. Try to purchase organic if possible.

Questions

Can You Make Tea From Fresh Fig Leaves?

Yes, it is fairly simple to make fig leaf tea and has more health-beneficial properties than dry leaf tea does.

How Often Can You Drink Fig Leaf Tea?

It is recommended to drink fig leaf tea daily for health benefits. Studies have shown that participants drinking it daily for 8 weeks, showed no sign of adverse reactions. This suggests that it is safe for daily consumption. But as with everything, listen to your body and stop taking it when you no longer feel the health benefits.

When Should I Drink Fig Leaf Tea?

It doesn’t matter exactly what time of day to drink fig leaf tea, however, for blood glucose regulation throughout the day it is best to take it first thing in the morning.

FAQs

Is Fig Leaf Tea a Good Source of Antioxidants?

Yes, fig leaf tea is an amazing source of some of the most potent antioxidants according to the National Institute of Health.

How do I make Ice tea with Fig Leaves?

Follow the above recipe, steeping 2 T dried tea in 16 oz of water for 10 minutes, then place in the fridge to cool. Add sweetener and serve over ice.

How do I make iced tea with fig leaves?

Brew some fresh fig leaf tea steeping 2 Tablespoons of leaves in 16oz of water for 10 minutes.

Can I reuse the fig leaves?

Yes, after you steep the tea they are still full of lots of good nutrients. So make a decoction next, by steeping them overnight in the fridge to pull out every last drop of those good herbal traits!