Fig sap, often called “fig milk,” is a milky latex from the Ficus carica with many traditional uses. It’s best collected from a healthy tree during late spring to early autumn. Using gloves, make a small cut on a branch and collect the sap in a clean container, then seal the cut to protect the tree.

Fig sap has several common uses. It is traditionally applied to warts and fungal infections like ringworm, used in gardening as a natural pest repellent, and even serves as a coagulant in cheese-making. In some cases, diluted sap is used in folk medicine for digestion or minor skin care, though caution is needed.

For storage, fresh sap works best and should be used within hours. It can be kept in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator for up to a week, but freezing is not recommended as it reduces effectiveness.