Banyan tree is a sacred tree of Indian soil. It is tree that symbolises the Trimurti- Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. It is a tree of life and fertility. Bargad tree is native to India where it grows from low altitudes to 2000 feet (610 m), especially in dry regions. It is also found in Myanmar, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Southern China and Malaysia. It has immense medicinal value.
The various parts of the tree are used for treatment of many ailments due to their scientifically proven medicinal activities viz. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antifungal and antibacterial. The recommended doses for decoction is 50-100 ml; bark powder 1-2 grams and latex 1 ml.
Taxonomical classification | Vernacular names |
Banyan Leaves Remedies
- Abscess (painful collection of pus due to bacterial infection), Boils
Take fresh Banyan leaves. Coat them with Til or sesame oil. Warm coated leaves and apply in form of poultice to affected areas. - Painful joints, swelling
Apply sesame oil on fresh leaves of Banyan. Warm this and apply on affected areas. - Rashes
Apply leaves paste on affected area. - Freckles
Make paste of tender leaves of Banyan and coconut pulp. Apply on freckles. Similarly, leaf-bud of Banyan and masur ki dal paste removes freckles and gives glow. - Intrinsic haemorrhage
Tender leaves of durva grass and Banyan mixed with honey should be taken.
Banyan Milky Latex Remedies
- Bad breath, Gum infections, loose teeth
Break leaves or branch of Banyan tree. Collect the milky exude. Mix this with honey and apply on the gums. Keep this for ten minutes then rinse the mouth. - Bleeding piles
Take few drops of sap and add in a glass of milk. Drink this regularly. - Corneal opacity
Finely powder Camphor/Kapoor. Mix this in Banyan latex. Apply this mixture as eye ointment. - Conjunctivitis, ophthalmic
Make fine paste of one clove and Banyan latex. Apply this in eye. - Haemorrhoids, bruises, inflammation
Apply the latex externally on affected area. - Cracked heels
Fill the cracks with latex of Banyan tree. - Rheumatism, Lumbago, joint pain
Massage joints with latex of tree.
Banyan Aerial roots remedies
- Diarrhoea
Take aerial roots of tree and pound them. Take this with buttermilk.
Soak tender leaf buds in water at night. Next morning drink the infusion. - Gum problems, Pyorrhoea
Use aerial roots for mouth cleaning. - Pimple
Apply paste of aerial roots. - Hair problems
Make Powder of equal quantities of the aerial roots of banyan and the lemon peel. Boil this powder in coconut oil and apply.
In case of baldness, powder the aerial roots of banyan tree and lotus roots and use the same way. - Tooth care
Chew Tender aerial roots and use as toothbrushes.
Banyan Bark Remedies
- Moth ulcers, Bad breath
Boil bark (1 inch) of Banyan tree in one cup water. Gargle with this water frequently. - Excessive urination
Boil 2 teaspoon bark powder in glass of water till volume reduces to 1/2 glass. Drink this prepared decoction throughout the day. - Skin diseases, Venereal diseases
Boil 5 grams bark powder in 2 glass of water and cook till water reduces to 1/4 th. Drink this 2-3 times a week.