A fruit for pain relief? Scientists explore the properties of Himalayan figs

Do you pop Aspirin pills for pain relief? You might benefit from trying this all-natural alternative instead, according to the findings of a new study.

Researchers say that the wild Himalayan fig, also known as ‘bedu’ locally, can be used as a safer alternative to synthetic pain relievers.

Published in the journal Plants, the study conducted on mice over a period of three years found several other medicinal benefits of figs such as curing skin diseases and wound infections.

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It was found that the wild fruit contains a compound that blocks an enzyme which is also blocked by synthetic pain relievers like Diclofenac.

The researchers say the fruit has traditionally been used for curing backaches in rural areas but there has been no study exploring its analgesic effects.

Looking ahead, the international team of researchers plans to conduct human trials on the fruit for other therapeutic potentials to establish medicinal plants as an alternative source of therapy.

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