Botanical name : Ficus benghalensis Linn.
Family : Moraceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Nyagrodha, Vata, Bahupada, Mahavriksha
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Madhura
Guna : Guru, Rooksha
Virya : Seeta
Vipaka : Katu
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Banyan
Hindi : Bat, Bargad
Malayalam : Peral
Distribution – Throughout India growing in planes, in roadsides
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A very large and spreading tree grows up to 50 meters in height, with numerous aerial roots arising from the spreading branches; function as prop roots for support. Leaves simple alternate, stipulate, elliptic-ovate, acute and entire. Fruit receptacles arise from leaf axils, in pairs, enclosing male female and gall flowers. Fruits small achenes, enclosed in the receptacles.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, skin diseases, leucorrhoea, burning sensation, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, diabetes, ulcers and allergy.
Useful part : Aerial root, Bark, Leaves, Buds, Fruits, Latex.