Amazing health benefits Banyan tree(vad)

                   Banyan tree (vad)

Tree which grows & spreads fast and which is found in everywhere in the world and it is the national tree of India. Banyan tree is among the largest trees in the world by canopy coverage. The life span of vata tree is more than 100 years. Hence it is called as Akshayvata. It is also known as Kalpavriksha, which means “wish fulfilling tree” because it has immense medicinal properties and is associated with longevity. Banyan tree is a perennial plant, which belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae). Around 800 species of Ficus are present. This tree is native to the India and old world tropical areas. It has been cultivated throughout the world and used for thousands of years as ornamental plant and in traditional medicine. Pain is an unpleasant feeling often caused by intense or damaging stimuli. Traditionally, different plant parts of Ficus benghalensis(vata) are used to have several analgesic properties. Few scientific evidences support these uses. The plant has the capability to produce variety of chemical compounds that are used in different significant biological activities. It shows antitumour, Antioxidant, antihelmintic, immunemodulatory, antistress, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, Anti-diarrhoeal, antiallergic, wound healing, Antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, immunemodulatory, hypoglycemic, antipyretic effect.

It has different names in different languages such as Hindi name(Bad, Bargad, Baragad ), English name(Banyan tree), Bengali name(Bat, Bat Briksh), Gujarati and Marathi name(Vad), Tamil name(Ala, Alai), Telugu name(Peddamari), Kannada name – Alada mara, Aala, Vatavruksha, Assamese name(Vat, Ahat, Vatgach), Kashmiri name(Bad), Malayalam name(Peroal), Oriya name(Bata, Bara), Punjabi name(Bhod, Bhaur), Urdu name(Bad, Bargud), Sanskrit name(Bahupada)

Parts of plant used as a medicine

stem bark, root bark, leaves, vegetative buds, fruits and latex

Chemical composition

It has low fat content and also low amounts of Mg and Ca. The leaves have little amounts of stored crude protein, fibers, calcium oxalate, CaO and phosphorous, theflavonols are also identified in leaves, as well as quercetin-3-galactoside and rutin. It yields latex which contains sugar caoytchoue (2.4%), resin, albumin, cerin and malic acid.

It has different compounds such as sesquiterpene and monoterpene, as well as α-cadinol, γ-cadinene, α-muurolene and germacrene-D-4-ol. It also has tannins, sterols, phenols, ß flavonoids and saponins in large amounts. 

- The ethanolic extracts indicates the presence of sterols, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins in large amounts.

- Extracts of the stem bark showed that various chemical components are present such as methyl ethers of leucodelphinidin rhamnoside, leucopelargonidin rhaamnoside, lecocyanidin, galactosylcellobioside, pentatriacontan-5-one, tetratriacont-20-en-2one, heptatriacont-6-en-10-one, beta-sitosterol glucoside and iso-inositol.

- The main chemical compounds that were found in the essential oils of the banyan are, sesquiterpene α-cadinol (25.1%), germacrene-D-4-ol (14.9%), γ-cadinene (11.8%) and α-muurolene (9.6%).

- leaves of this plant contain quercetin-3-galactoside, rutin, friedelin, taraxosterol, lupeol, β-amylin, psoralen, bergapten, β-sisterol, and quercetin-3-galactoside. 

                        • Some compounds such as aromatic acids, triterpenoids, mucilage, carbohydrates, gums and volatile oils are totally absent in the leaf extract of this plant.

- seed oil of Banyan tree contain vernolic acid (8.2%), malvalic acid (3.7%) and sterculic acid (1.6%) along with the other normal fatty acids like linoleic acid (15.4%) lauric acid (1.5%), myristic acid (1.3%), oleic acid (20.3%), palmitic acid (35.2%), stearic acid (4.2%), and linolenic acid (8.7%)

Properties and uses

• Taste – Astringent

• Qualities – Heavy for digestion, Dry in nature

• Vipaka – Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion

• Potency – Cold

• Vrana – Ulcers, wounds  – administered both externally and orally.

• Visarpa – for herpes decoction is used for washing the herpes lesion externally.

• Trushna – excessive thirst

• Chardi – Vomiting

• Murcha – fainting, loss of consciousness

• Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc  – Kashaya – used both for oral intake and for external wash.

• Daha –  burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc

• Moha – delusion

• Shopha – inflammation

Intake, uses and application of Banyan tree

1) A decoction of leaf buds and aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis, mixed with honey, can be given for any burning sensation. Or Applying Banyan bark paste on affected area gives an excellent cooling effect and reduces burning sensation.

2) The bark is considered as a tonic and astringent. It is also used in diarrhea, dysentery.

                  - Taking the small budding leaves and soaking them in water creates a powerful astringent agent that  is also very good for diarhoea, gas, dysentery and irritation of GI(gastrointestinal) tract.

3) To control diabetes, the decoction of the bark of Vad or the fruit is given.

4) In order to strengthen the uterine muscles during pregnancy, the tender leaves of Vata is given the form of decoction.

5) The latex of Banyan tree(Banyan tree milk). It is used to treat cases of premature ejaculation.

6) Latex of Vata is applied locally in dental caries, conjunctivitis and skin diseases as part of treatment.

          - Milky latex in the plant is applied topically to treat toothache, bruises, painful areas, rheumatic joints and lumbago.

7)The milky latex of Vata is applied directly over the wound and swelling for quick relief.

8) The decoction of the bark of Ficus benghalensis is given in a dose of 50-70 ml to treat vaginal diseases.

9) For the firmness of the breasts in females, the paste of the aerial roots is applied locally.

10) To treat diarrhea, the buds of Ficus benghalensis is added with Ficus religiosa and Ficus glomerata and processed with ghee and mixed with honey and sugar candy for consumption.

11) To treat nausea and vomiting, the decoction prepared from leaf bud of Vata, Jambu and Ushira is taken with honey in a dose of 40-50 ml.

12) Person affected with snake poisoning, paste of root of banyan tree is mixed with juice of Durva, Manjishta, Jivaka and Kashmarya and consumed.

13) Paste of Shaalmali, Balamula and tender leaves of Vata should be applied and the wound should be sprinkled with their decoction.

14) In excessive sweating, cold infusion from the tender buds of Ficus benghalensis is given in a dose of 40-50 ml.

15) Use of its twigs for brushing the teeth.

16) Bark of the banyan tree is a good immune boosting agent.

17) The bark of the banyan tree works great in lowering the bad cholesterol while keeping the good cholesterol level high.

18) For backache apply the milk of banyan tree twice a day. You can also mix flax seed oil in equal quantity.

19) Apply fruit pulp of banyan fruit to the cuts or ulcer.

20) Apply a latex of banyan to cracked heels and inflammed soles.

21) For wrinkles make a paste of banyan leaves and mix it with honey and apply to the wrinkled are and put it for 10-15 min.

22) With this banyan tree is also usefull for yellow teeth, oligospermia, piles, nosebleed, whooping cough, watery seman and many more.

23) Regular banyan tree fruit consumption will help reduce the Respiratory problems, since it consists of antibacterial and antiseptic that will effectively reduce the infection.

24) Taking banyan tree fruit paste and use it as face pack. Apply it on your face and let it dry for about 15 minutes to allow the paste transport nutrients into the dermal layer. After that, wash it with lukewarm water. It keeps the skin hydrated, glowing and reduce toxins.

               - Paste prepared from its leaves is applied on pimples, acne and rashes to treat them.

25) For nose bleeding take Leaves extract and put 3 to 4 drops in each Nostril.

Note : 1) It reduces vitiated kapha and pitta dosha(Tridosha).

            2) The ancient medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy were using this tree extensively to as medicine for various diseases.

            3) All parts of the plant are astringent, acrid, sweet, refrigerant.

            4) it is used in many ayurvedic medicine.

             5) No side effects are recorded still about this plant.   

             6) Latex obtained from all parts of the plant can be used to produce an inferior quality rubber.

             7) Milky sap from the tree is used for polishing metal wares.

Refrance :

1) International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences

2) charak samhita it categories into  diuretic and astringent group of herb

3) Bhavaprakasha

4) Sushruta samhita

5) Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2013, 5(7):240-245

6) Ficus benghalensis Linn – The Sacred Indian Medicinal Tree with Potent Pharmacological Remedies

S.T. Gopukumar, P.K. Praseetha* Department of Nanotechnology, Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, Noorul Islam University, Kumaracoil, Tamilnadu, India

7) International Journal of Drug Development and Research

8) local traditions and uses

9) Wikipedia

10) https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/24066