Ficin

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Ficin is a latex substance from the trunk of a tree called Ficus insipida. It is used as medicine, as well as in medical procedures and manufacturing.

People take ficin for digestion problems and to get rid of intestinal worms.

In medical procedures, ficin is used in the production of stitching material (sutures), in the preparation of animal arteries for implantation in people, and in blood typing.

In manufacturing, ficin is used in making cheese and sausage casings and in chillproofing beer. Ficin is sometimes included in meat tenderizers, usually in combination with papain and/or bromelain.

How does it work?

Ficin contains chemicals that might help break down proteins and kill intestinal worms.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Intestinal worms.
• Other intestinal problems.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of ficin for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

There isn't enough information to know if ficin is safe to take by mouth. Large amounts can cause severe diarrhea.

It is UNSAFE to use ficin on the skin. It can cause bleeding and allergic reactions.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough information to know if ficin is safe to take by mouth. But it is UNSAFE to use on the skin. Stay on the safe side and don't use ficin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

The appropriate dose of ficin depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for ficin. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.