IN SHORT: Be wary of social media posts claiming fig leaves are the answer to multiple health conditions and that users should click on an attached link for more information. This is a scam, most likely aimed at gaining reach.
Subscribers to our WhatsApp lines sent us a link to a Facebook post claiming that fig leaves can help with different health conditions.
The fig tree is a plant in the genus Ficus, native to tropical regions of East Asia.
“💛If you have fig leaves, you're sitting on Gold – but you probably don't even know it!👀👇,” the Facebook post says. It provides no information on the use of fig leaves, prompting users to click on the attached link for more details.
The same claim has been published on public groups with hundreds of thousands to millions of followers. Some of the claims include a link, while others don’t.
Africa Check has debunked many “miracle” cures for various conditions.
But since this claim doesn’t offer much information about the use of fig leaves, what’s going on here? We checked.
Signs of a scam
Scammers will sometimes bait social media users into clicking on links by leaving out key information that can “be found” in the attached article. Scammers do this to drive traffic to their website, which can be monetised.
This is even more apparent when those websites have an overwhelming amount of pop-up adverts, which may pay the website owner per visit.
The Facebook posts that don’t include a link may be looking for comments or shares to simply gain wider reach for their post, something we have seen before.
These types of scams can also lead to phishing, where users can be tricked into revealing their personal information in exchange for the information they want.
Seek medical attention instead
The link in the social media posts takes users to a simple-looking WordPress site filled with pop-up adverts.
The article has the headline: “The Hidden Healing of Fig Leaves: Natural Support for Diabetes, Digestion, and More.”
It then lists a few conditions that it claims fig leaves can help treat, including supporting type 2 diabetes, lowering blood pressure naturally, and relieving acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is not able to correctly use insulin, which leads to a sugar build-up in the blood.
This is different from type 1 diabetes, which is caused by an immune system problem. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 can be prevented. Having high blood glucose levels from type 2 diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke or nerve problems.
Treatment for type 2 diabetes usually consists of lifestyle changes, like exercise and food adjustments, medication and glucose monitoring.
High blood pressure, known as hypertension, occurs when the pressure in your blood vessels becomes too high. This is a common condition that can become serious if left untreated. Untreated hypertension can lead to kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.
Treatment includes lifestyle changes such as choosing heart-healthy foods, getting exercise, or losing weight, as well as medications to control high blood pressure.
We have fact-checked several herbal “cures” for both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and have explained that both of these conditions can have serious complications if not treated properly.
For acid reflux or GERD, trying remedies from unverified sources also isn’t recommended. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a US nonprofit academic medical centre, the condition occurs when acid from the stomach enters areas it does not belong, such as the oesophagus, causing a burning sensation.
Long-term acid reflux can damage the oesophagus, which could lead to something called Barrett's oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer.
Because acid reflux can be triggered by many factors, including certain foods and drinks, it is not recommended to try unproven online health remedies that involve mixing and taking ingredients.
Posts claiming to have the answer to health conditions but that are just looking for revenue or reach can cause disappointment, anger and mistrust among those battling these conditions.
It's always best to seek verified medical advice rather than rely on bogus health cures online.
Want to know how to debunk false health claims? Follow our guide to evaluating health claims, quacks and cures.
For publishers: what to do if your post is rated false
A fact-checker has rated your Facebook or Instagram post as “false”, “altered”, “partly false” or “missing context”. This could have serious consequences. What do you do?
Click on our guide for the steps you should follow.
Publishers guideAfrica Check teams up with Facebook
Africa Check is a partner in Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to help stop the spread of false information on social media.
The content we rate as “false” will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram. This means fewer people will see it.
You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
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