Ficus bengalensis, commonly known as the banyan tree, is a large tree with wide-spreading branches supported by aerial prop roots. Almost all parts of the tree have medicinal properties and are used to treat various conditions like syphilis, diabetes, stomach ailments, and more. The document provides details on the uses of different parts of the banyan tree including its leaves, bark, fruits, and milky sap. Various preparations using these parts are described for treating illnesses ranging from dysentery and tooth problems to skin diseases and mercury poisoning.

1. FICUS BENGALENSIS
Dr.J.Raamachandran

2. FICUS BENGALENSIS
(5). Grind the tender leaves of Ficus bengalensis and take 5 grams at a time
with curd. This will cure dysentery associated with blood.
(6). Take 40 grams each of barks of Ficus bengalensis, Ficus racemosa
(“aththi” in Tamil) and root bark of Indigofera tinctoria (“avuri” in Tamil)
and add 10 grams of pepper in 2 liters of water and boil it till the volume is
reduced to one fourth. Take 200 ml. of this decoction three times a day for a
few days. This will remove the poisons arising due to medicines that contain
mercury in any form.
Dr.J.Raamachandran

3. FICUS BENGALENSIS
Dr.J.Raamachandran

4. FICUS BENGALENSIS
Ficus bengalensis is an immense tree with branches spreading far and wide. Its special
property is the rootlet that falls from its branches. This rootlet grows and falls to the
ground and form natural support to the larger branches of the parent tree. From a distance
it looks like an assemblage of pillar-like stems covering a considerable distance all
around the original trunk. Almost all parts of banyan tree have medicinal properties. They
are normally used to cure syphilitic conditions, stomach problems, diabetes etc. It gives
strength to the body. “Flourish like banyan and rooted like Cynodon dactylon” is a Tamil
proverb. ("aal pOl thazhaiththu aruku pOl vErOdi"). The seed of the fruit is medicinally
cooling and a tonic. The white milk like juice from the stems is applied in tooth ache. It
can also be applied to the foot where there is inflammation and fissures. The bark is
useful as an infusion for diabetes. A bath, using the bark of the root and the stem is
efficacious in leprosy and in mitigating pains in the limbs.. Milk of banyan: It cures
syphilis. It makes the shaky tooth strong and unshaken. It increases semen and cools the
head.
Dr.J.Raamachandran

5. FICUS BENGALENSIS
There are several varieties such as:
1.Ficus infectoria (“kallaalamaram”);
2.Ficus tsida (“kuruvaalamaram”);
3. Ficus retusa (“ichchiyaalamaram”);
4.Ficus amplissima (“chitraalamaram”);
5.Creeping banyan (“kodiyaalamaram”);
6.Ficus elastica (“seemaiyaalamaram”) etc
Dr.J.Raamachandran

6. FICUS BENGALENSIS
In other languages
Tamil aalamaram
Hindi bargad
Telugu marri
Malayalam peral
Sanskrit vata
Kannada alada
English Banyan tree
Arabic
Latin Ficus bengalensis
Dr.J.Raamachandran

7. FICUS BENGALENSIS
Family Moraceae (aalamarak kudumpam)
Parts used leaf, milk, aerial root, ripe fruit
Taste Astringent
Nature Cold (kulirchchi)
Division sweet (inippu)
Action Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Tonic
Phytochemicals Ripe fruits: glycoside.
Leaves: quercetin-3; glactoside; rutin, friedelin, b-sitosterol etc.
Wood: taraxasterol tiglate;
Stem bark: leucoanthocyanins etc.
Dr.J.Raamachandran

8. FICUS BENGALENSIS
aalampaal mEkam aRum thasaiyum palliRukum kola
mudikkik kulirchchi tharum--gnaalamathil
meththavumE chukkilaththai vaLarach cheyyum thappaamaR
Chuththa mathi mukaththaay chol!
chollukindra mEkaththai thutta akakkaduppaik
kollukindra neerizhivaik kollungkaaN---nal aalin
paalum vizhuthum pazhamum vithaiyum poovum
mElum ilaiyumena viL
Dr.J.Raamachandran

9. FICUS BENGALENSIS
Tell without fail the use of Banyan milk
Which drives away syphilis from the body trunk
Controls shaky tooth and makes the gum healthy
Increases semen, my dear moon-like face lady!
The flower, seeds, fruits, leaves and
The milk of Banyan tree will put an end
To the killing diabetes and stinking syphilis
And stomach burning tell not to miss.
Dr.J.Raamachandran

10. FICUS BENGALENSIS
Method of Use:
(1). Take one tea spoon of the milk of Ficus bengalensis tree. Drinking this
milk will cure many diseases. In the case of ladies, white discharge will be
stopped. In the case of males semen will increase. In general it will cure the
fissures in the tongue.
(2). Applying the milk of Ficus bengalensis around shaky tooth will make the
tooth strong and healthy.
(3). Take equal amount of fruit of Ficus bengalensis and tender aerial root of
the same. Grind them together and boil in the milk and drink. This will
increase semen and also improves fertility.
(4). Take the tender aerial root and the seeds of Ficus bengalensis. Grind them
together. Taking 5 grams of this paste along with milk will increase breast
milk.
Dr.J.Raamachandran

11. FICUS BENGALENSIS
(5). Grind the tender leaves of Ficus bengalensis and take 5 grams at a time
with curd. This will cure dysentery associated with blood.
(6). Take 40 grams each of barks of Ficus bengalensis, Ficus racemosa
(“aththi” in Tamil) and root bark of Indigofera tinctoria (“avuri” in Tamil)
and add 10 grams of pepper in 2 liters of water and boil it till the volume is
reduced to one fourth. Take 200 ml. of this decoction three times a day for a
few days. This will remove the poisons arising due to medicines that contain
mercury in any form.
(7). Collect the brownish or fulvous leaves of Banyan tree. Dry them in shade
and then burn them. Collect the ashes and mix with sesame oil to a paste
form. Applying the paste will cure eczema (“karappaan nOy” in Tamil).
(8). Take a handful of the brownish or fulvous leaves of Banyan tree and a
handful of puffed rice (“arisip pori” in Tamil). Put them in 200 ml. of water
and boil till the volume is reduced to 100ml. Filter and drink. This will
induce perspiration and sweating.
Dr.J.Raamachandran

12. FICUS BENGALENSIS
Dr.J.Raamachandran
(9). Take 25grams of the bark of Banyan tree and put them in 250 ml. of water
Soak them for 3 hours. Use the bark soaked water for drinking. This is good
for diabetic people.
(10). Take 10 grams of the root bark of Banyan tree and put in 100mil. Of water
and boil till the volume is reduced to 50ml. Filter and add 59 ml. of milk and
drink. This is good for leucorrhoea,