Phyto-Gen Fig Bud by Genestra Brands

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is unclear if topical fig fruit extract is beneficial in children with eczema. Details: Preliminary clinical research in children 4 months to 14 years of age with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis shows that topical application of a cream containing fig fruit extract 8% twice daily for 14 days reduces the severity of symptoms by 56% and itchiness by 64% when compared with baseline. Fig cream is as effective as a cream containing 1% hydrocortisone and more effective than placebo (99958).
• Constipation. It is unclear if oral fig fruit is beneficial for constipation. Details: A small clinical study in adults with constipation shows that taking fig fruit paste 300 grams daily for 8 weeks improves stool consistency by 58%, compared to a 27% improvement with placebo. Fig paste also modestly improves abdominal discomfort; however, it does not affect stool frequency, abdominal pain, effort, or relief (99956).
• Diabetes. It is unclear if oral fig leaf is beneficial for glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. Details: A very small clinical crossover study in adults with type 1 diabetes shows that consuming a tea made from fig leaves modestly reduces postprandial, but not pre-prandial, glucose levels and also reduces insulin requirements when compared with consuming a non-fig tea (12578).
• Vitiligo. Although there has been interest in using oral fig for vitiligo, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of fig for this condition.
• Warts. It is unclear if topical fig latex is beneficial for warts in adults and children. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults and children 5 years of age and older shows that applying fig latex directly to a common wart three times daily for at least 4 days is slightly less effective than cryotherapy for producing complete resolution of the wart after 2 weeks (99962).
• Wound healing. Although there has been interest in using topical fig for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of fig for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate fig for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when the fresh or dried fruit is used orally in amounts commonly found in foods.

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when fig fruit paste is consumed orally in amounts of up to 300 grams daily for up to 8 weeks (99956).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when fig leaf decoctions are used topically. Fig leaf contains psoralens (12579,12581). There have been reports of photodermatitis with burn-like lesions and rashes after fig decoctions were applied prior to sun exposure (49962,49968,49973,49975,49981). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of fig leaf when used orally.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when the fresh or dried fruit is used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of fig leaf or fruit used in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and lactation; avoid use.

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ANTIDIABETES DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, fig leaf might enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of hypoglycemic drugs.  Details A small clinical study in patients with type 1 diabetes shows that consuming a tea made from fig leaves modestly reduces postprandial glucose levels and insulin requirements (12578).

INSULIN Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Fig leaf may enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of insulin.  Details A small clinical study in patients with type 1 diabetes shows that consuming a tea made from fig leaves modestly reduces postprandial glucose levels and insulin requirements (12578).

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General ...Orally, the fresh or dried fig fruit is well tolerated in amounts commonly found in foods. A thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted when fig fruit is used orally as medicine.
Topically, fig leaf may cause photodermatitis. There is limited reliable information available about the safety of fig fruit or latex when applied topically.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Allergy and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis.
Topically: The fig leaf may cause photodermatitis.

Dermatologic ...Topically, fig leaf might cause photodermatitis. The leaf contains psoralens (12579,12581). Many cases of photodermatitis from fig leaf have been reported (49962,49968,49973,49975,49981). In at least two cases, the burns were serious enough to require hospitalization. Severe anemia and sepsis developed in one patient (49962). Avoid excessive sunlight or ultraviolet light exposure while using products containing fig leaf.

Orally, fig fruit is unlikely to cause photodermatitis (12581).

Immunologic ...Orally, fig fruit can cause allergy and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (8815,12580). Topically, exposure to fig fruit and leaves can cause contact dermatitis. In some cases, sun exposure can make contact dermatitis worse (12689,99961).

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