FIT FIGS

Remember in the early 00s when everyone walked around calling people FIT if they were good-looking? Well, I’m ashamed to say that a) I still use that term quite regularly (along with FINE, but that’s also a Nigerian thing so I kind of have an excuse), and b) I use it for food. Yes, as in ‘Mmm, this cake is FIT!’. I know- I’m so embarrassing. But seriously, figs are around at the moment- cheap in the shops (they are usually prohibitively expensive here in the UK), and even growing well in certain peoples’ gardens (hi Mum!). So, what better way to celebrate the fitness of figs than by eating them and then writing about them?

In Ayurveda, figs are seen as Vata and Pitta- pacifying. In laymens terms, this means that they will help with any issues that are arising as a result of the end of Summer (Pitta) and the beginning of Autumn (Vata). This could be inflamed skin or swellings such as hemorrhoids (predominantly Pitta issues), dry skin or constipation (predominantly Vata issues), or even something like anxiety in the face of a new school year.

High in fibre, and sweet with lots of seeds, figs help ‘move things along’ in the gut by encouraging peristaltic movement in the intestines. They are moist and cool, calming inflammation along the way.

Figs are great rejuvenators, especially for those who feel chronically tired, or who have just done hard labour (giving birth springs to mind, especially as it can often be difficult to pass bowel movements afterwards!). Similar to dates, they are an especially delicious energetic tonic when taken with almonds and an oily fat, which is why a fig, almond and ghee or coconut oil milkshake is a wonderful 6000 year old protein shake!

Personally, I love the whole romance and tradition around figs. The forbidden fruitness of them- the figleaves covering up naughty bits on statues, the fact that they feature in both the Bible and the Qu’ran. There is an air of sacredness around them that I just adore. They are said to be ‘good for men’ and ‘good for women’ in many traditions around the world, not just in Ayurveda, so perhaps that’s something worth looking into if things are flagging a bit in that area.

Fig trees fruit twice a year. Once in the Spring, and once in the late Summer/ early Autumn. It is the second fruit that is supposed to be the sweetest, so get them now before it’s too late and the weather really does turn!