Ficus religiosa Linn.
Family : Moraceae.
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Habitat Sub-Himalayan tracts, West Bengal, Central and South
India; planted throughout India an avenue tree.
English Peepal, Bot-tree.
Ayurvedic Ashvattha, Bodhidru, Bodhivrkisha, Sebya, Chalapatra, Gajabhaksha, Kshiradruma, Peeppal.
Unani Peepal.
Siddha/Tamil Arasu, Ashvatham.
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Action Bark—astringent, antiseptic, alterative, laxative, haemostatic, vaginal disinfectant (used in diabetes, diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, nervous disorders; also in skin diseases.) Applied externally on unhealthy ulcers and wounds. Leaves and twigs— laxative.
The bark contains beta-sitosteryl-Dglucoside. Vitamin K, n-octacosanol, methyl oleanolate, lanosterol, stigmasterol, lupen-3-one are reported from the stem bark.
A hypoglycaemic response is reported for beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside obtained from the bark.
Aerial roots are given to women, also used in prescriptions, for inducing conception. The dried fruits are used as a uterine tonic.
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The fruits contain 4.9% protein having the essential amino acids, isoleucine and phenylalanine. The chloroform extract of fruits exhibited anti- tumour and antibacterial activities in bioassays. Various plant parts are included in formulations used for menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, blood dysentery, bleeding piles, haematuria and haemorrhages.
Dosage Bark, fruit—50—100 ml decoction.
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