Figs are best known for their sweet fruit. Less well known is the fact that fig leaves can also be utilized. In the kitchen, in particular, they can be used to create aromatic oils with a distinctive green, slightly nutty flavor.
However, fig leaf preparations are sometimes marketed online as traditional “medicinal oils” or remedies for various ailments. Such claims should be treated with caution. A plant’s traditional use does not automatically imply a medically proven effect.
What exactly is fig leaf oil?
To make homemade fig leaf oil, fresh leaves are typically blanched briefly, then cooled and mixed with a neutral vegetable oil. The mixture is blended thoroughly and then filtered through a fine sieve or cloth.
A recipe published by the Food Trails project describes this culinary method in detail: five to six fresh fig leaves are first blanched, then processed with olive oil and a pinch of salt, and finally…
…left to steep for an hour. The oil is then filtered.
The result is an intensely green, aromatic oil that can be used, for example, in salads and other dishes.
Here is how to prepare fig leaf oil:
For a simple culinary version, you will need:
fresh fig leaves
a mild vegetable oil, such as olive oil, sunflower oil, or…a little salt
fine sieve or cheesecloth
Step 1: Prepare the leaves
Wash the fig leaves thoroughly. They should look clean and healthy. A white, milky sap may leak out when cutting the leaves; this can irritate the skin, so wearing gloves while harvesting them is recommended.
Step 2: Blanch briefly
Briefly submerge the leaves in boiling water, then immediately transfer them to ice-cold water. This creates the base for the aromatic oil. This method is also described in published recipes for fig leaf oil.
Step 3: Blend with oil
After draining, blend the leaves with vegetable oil. Then, press the mixture through a very fine sieve.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, cheesecloth, or similar filtering material to ensure minimal plant residue remains.
What can the oil be used for?
Fig leaf oil is particularly useful as a flavoring ingredient. Its flavor is described as green, herbal, and sometimes slightly nutty. It can be drizzled over salads or used to enhance the flavor of desserts.
Even professional recipes use fig leaf oil as an ingredient. It can be found, for example, paired with salads, figs, and other ingredients.
This means its culinary use is much better documented than the medicinal effects often read about online.
WhyThe title of the linked article presents fig leaf oil as an “ancestral” or traditional medicinal remedy. However, the original webpage was unavailable at the time of review, making it impossible to verify the specific medicinal properties mentioned there.
While fig leaves have long been used in traditional healing systems and scientific research is investigating various components of the plant…
…this does not mean that homemade fig leaf oil can cure or prevent diseases.
In particular, homemade oil should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment.
Note: Fig leaves can irritate the skin.
Recipes of this type often overlook an important point: fig leaves contain a milky sap that can irritate the skin upon contact. Therefore, caution is advised when handling fresh leaves.
Even specialized fig leaf extracts—known as fig leaf “absolutes”—undergo safety assessments regarding potential skin sensitization and phototoxicity. However, such concentrated extracts are not comparable to ordinary culinary oil.
Conclusion: An interesting culinary option, but not a proven remedy
Fig leaves are more than just a byproduct of the fig tree. When processed correctly, they yield a remarkable, aromatic oil suitable for seasoning salads, desserts, and other dishes.
However, caution should be exercised regarding…Available sources do not provide a definitive answer as to whether one can speak of a general medicinal effect.
Anyone wishing to try this recipe should consider fig leaves as a culinary ingredient and ensure skin protection when coming into contact with the plant’s sap.
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