As a part of our programme, devoted to explore natural sources of new bioactive chemical scaffolds, this review was focused on the ethno-pharmacologically relevant plant F. carica, because it represents an amazing and ancient source of medicines and food, in the human culture. Topics regarding chemistry, biological activity, ethno pharmacological uses and nutritional value were revised and discussed, as well as the potential of fig tree as a source of new chemical diverse scaffolds. Very important in the past, appreciated now and extremely promising in the future, F. carica illustrates an interesting example of healthy foods and bioproducts.