August: FIG, OLEANDER & MEDLAR

The oleander is an evergreen bush with pointed leathery opposite leaves. It may grow up to a height of 4 meters. It is an ornamental bush, but also has toxic properties.

LOQUAT (lat. Eriobotrya japonica)

The Loquat is an evergreen tree and may grow to a height of 8 meters. Thw tree-top takes the shape of a sphee. The leaves are long, dark-green and pronouncedly wrinkled. Aromatic white flowers are gathered in clusters. The fruit is yellow and palatable. In the open it prospers in areas where the climate is mild.

FIG TREE (Ficus carica L.)

The fig tree is a plant growing wild between rocks and walls. It is often cultivated as well. The tree is deciduous, and may grow to be more than a meter in diameter. It may grow as a shrub. It has a wide and outspread tree top. The bark is grey, light and smooth and is abundand in thik milky juice, as are all the other plant parts.

Due to their laxative effect, fresh and dried figs have always been considered the most natural remedy for digestive problems. Dried figs have great benefits on the entire digestive system, especially on the stomach – as a digestive, they reduce gastritis, maintain balance of the intestinal flora, and soak up the excess of stomach acid. Dried fig compote is useful for occasional constipations, while we recommend small balls prepared from a mixture of this dried fruit to take each morning and evening for a better digestion. Fig leaves tea is recommended to people suffering from diabetes because it regulates the level of insulin. Fresh and dried figs are rich in fiber that plays a role in reducing cholesterol. Due to their beneficial and antiseptic effect on bronchi, figs stimulate the collection of secretion in the lungs and soothe the cough. In folk medicine fig juice was used to treat warts and eczema. It stimulates digestion and reduces parasites, as well as helps with removing kidney stones. Contraindications – possible allergy to fig juice or leaves.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MEDLAR

Medlar fruit is used to treat tension, lung secretion, vomiting symptoms and skin conditions. In folk medicine it is used to treat acne, for relaxation of the nervous system and against parasites in the intestines. In traditional Chinese medicine medlar syrup is used to treat cough