Ficus benghalensis

General information:

The Banyan Tree is considered sacred in many parts of India. Food is often served on Banyan tree leaves. Various parts of the plant are considered medicinal. The milky juice is externally applied for bruises and as a pain reliever in rheumatism and back pain. It is also used as a remedy for toothache. The leaves are heated and applied as a poultice to abscesses. The bark is astringent, while the seeds have a cooling effect. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends using the aerial root in lipid disorders.

Constituents:

The latex of the tree is an useful compound, which is helpful in treating dysentery and diarrhea. The root bark, which contains ß-sitosterol, a-D-glucose and meso- inositol, has anti-diabetic properties which can be seen in pituitary diabetes and alloxan-induced diabetes.

Benefits:

• The extracts of the Banyan Tree are used to treat gum and mouth disease.
• It is also effective in treating dysentery, diarrhea and chronic stomach ailments.
• Banyan Tree leaves help heal skin abscesses.
• The root bark lowers blood sugar levels.