Ficus religiosa Linn.

Family : Moraceae.

Ficus religiosa

 


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.

 

Ficus religiosa


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.

 

Ficus religiosa


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.

Ficus religiosa

 

Ficus religiosa

 

Medicinal plants of India ; Ayurveda

Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal Plants/Herbs mainly using in Ayurveda with good quality pictures and information like therapeutic usage of Medicinal Plants, cultivation, morphology, habitat, flower characters, Chemical content, parts used, research works etc.

medicinal plants