The adoption supports ABC’s HerbMedPro database, ensuring that it can remain up-to-date for researchers, health professionals, industry members, students, and consumers. Andrea Zangara, Head of Scientific Communication and Marketing at Euromed, said in the release: “Euromed is a longtime supporter of ABC initiatives. Fig is our second adoption through the Adopt-an-Herb program,with milk thistle[Silybum marianum] being the first. Euromed recognizes the essential role ABC plays in educating health professionals, natural product industry stakeholders, and consumers about the health benefits of herbal supplements.”
Fig—Ficus carica—is native to western Asia and the Mediterranean. It is a fast-growing temperate deciduous shrub or small tree, which may hold the status of first domesticated fruit crop, the release says—fig remains from 11,400 years ago were found at a village near Jericho in Israel.
Figs are a good source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, organic acids, fiber, polyphenols, and abscisic acid (ABA), a phytochemical which may help stimulate cellular uptake of blood sugar. Fig fruits, stems, leaves, and latex have been found in research to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor effects.
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“Euromed is committed to expanding the body of safety and efficacy studies on botanical products and relies on organizations like ABC to disseminate this information,” Zangara said in the release. “The fig adoption fits perfectly with our mission to develop, innovate, and supply high-quality, traceable, sustainable, and evidence-based botanical ingredients for a healthier world.”Mark Blumenthal, Founder and Executive Director of ABC, added: “ABC truly appreciates Euromed’s adoption of fig on ABC’s highly useful HerbMedPro database. Not only is fig a widely popular food in many parts of the world (it’s one of my favorites!), it also has health benefits. Euromed’s fig adoption will allow ABC to stay current on the scientific and medical research on fig, confirming the proposition that food is medicine.”
