The California Fig Co. opened at Reno, Nevada, in 1878, selling its only product, Syrup of Figs. The firm had a rocky beginning, reorganizing twice before it achieved success with the final 1897 corporation.
California Fig packaged its products in a total of six different embossed bottles as well as at least one variation used in England. In addition, the different incarnations of the firm used generic bottles with paper labels both before and after the adoption of the embossed containers – an apparently common phenomenon in remedies successful enough to remain popular from the 1870s to the 20th century.
The Sterling Remedy Co. purchased the California Fig Co. in 1912, and it remains in business to the present.
"A certain medical preparation or remedy for constipation and to act upon the kidneys, liver, stomach, and bowels, which medical compound is a combination in solution of plants known to be beneficial to the human system, forming an agreeable and effective laxative to cure habitual constipation and many ills, depending upon a weak and inactive condition of the liver, kidneys, stomach, and bowels."
The company was successful – at least until the passing of the Pure Food & Drug Act of 1906. Not long after the passing of the Act, the Journal of the American Medical
Association commented that “Syrup of Figs is a laxative whose chief advertising asset is its name.” The laxative effect was produced by Senna, a tropical herb comprising 25% of the mixture. Another 6% was composed of alcohol, making its effect roughly the same as beer bottled during that period. To comply with the law, the firm listed those ingredients on their labels, although the syrup continued to be sold in England under the old label.
"The dried succulent fruit of Ficus carica (Moraceae). Contains ~50% of sugars, consisting chiefly of invert sugar with some sucrose; small amounts of citric, acetic, and malic acids, and a proteolytic enzyme, ficin, are also present. A mild purgative and demulcent, used medicinally as a confection or syrup, usually with senna and carminatives."