Evidence supporting the use of: Hairy Fig
For the health condition: Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Hairy Fig (Ficus hirta) has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and some Southeast Asian herbal practices, where it is employed for various health concerns, including skin conditions. Traditionally, decoctions or topical preparations made from the root, fruit, or leaves are believed to "clear heat," "moisten dryness," and improve skin health, including alleviating dry or flaky skin. However, there is limited documentation in the English-language scientific literature specifically validating its efficacy for dry or flaky skin. Most references to its use come from historical pharmacopeias and ethnobotanical surveys, which report that local healers recommend Hairy Fig for general skin nourishment and relief from dryness.
A handful of laboratory studies have identified that extracts from Ficus hirta contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides, which may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties could theoretically benefit the skin, but no clinical trials directly support its use for dry or flaky skin in humans. Thus, while there is a traditional precedent for using Hairy Fig in this context, scientific validation is still lacking.
Other ingredients used for Skin (dry and/or flaky)
aloe veraalpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
beeswax
biotin
borage oil
colostrum
evening primrose oil
gooseberry
linoleic acid (LA)
magnesium
omega-3 fatty acids
rehmannia glutinosa
silicon
vitamin A
vitamin E
zinc
chickweed
swertia
birch
sea salt
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
American Liverleaf
Allantoin
Acemannan
Argan nut oil
Butter
Borage
Cod Liver Oil
Cape Aloe
Cocoa Butter
Cowslip
Chestnut
Castile Soap
Emu Oil
Evening Primrose Oil
Ficus religiosa
Glycolic acid
Glyceryl oleate
Heartsease
Oak
Orchid
Spikenard
Silk protein
Other health conditions supported by Hairy Fig
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emphysema
Eye Infections
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Kidney Infection
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Pain (general remedies for)
Poisoning (general)
Rashes and Hives
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sore Throat
Staph Infections