     
BENEFITS OF FIG
A “lump of figs” laid on the boil of King Hezekiah, as
recorded in 2 Kings xx. 7, brought about that monarch’s
recovery.
The figs used were doubtless ripe figs, not the dried figs
of our grocers.
“This fruit,” says Dr. Fernie, “is soft, easily digested, and
corrective of strumous disease.” The large blue fig may be
grown in England, in the milder parts and under a warm wall.
The fresh figs were rarely seen at one time outside of the
large “high-class” fruit shops, but for the last year or two I
have seen them peddled in the streets of London like apples and
oranges in due season.
Green figs (not unripe) were commonly eaten by Roman
gladiators, which is surely a sufficient tribute to the fruit’s
strength-giving qualities.
The best way of preparing dried figs for eating is to wash them
very quickly in warm water, and steam for twenty minutes or
until tender.
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