Medicinal Uses of Banyan Tree

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 the 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.

Banyan or Bargad is a tree with tremendous medicinal qualities. In Ayurvedic medicine system, it is used for the treatment of innumerable diseases. Here I have tried to collect some of the medicinal uses. These remedies are simple, safe and can be done at home without any problem. But do keep in mind, herbal remedies works but takes time to show result.

Medicinal Uses Of Banyan Tree

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 the form of poultice to affected areas.
• Painful joints, swelling
  Apply sesame oil on fresh leaves of Banyan. Warm this and apply on the affected areas.
• Rashes
  Apply leaves paste on the 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 a glow.
• Intrinsic hemorrhage
  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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

Some specialized post for medicinal uses of Banyan Tree

Banyan tree use is recommended in Ayurveda for promoting fertility and curing sexual debility. Leaf- buds are prescribed in Ayurveda for promoting conception. According to Ayurveda, putting few drops of the banyan tree juice in the right nostril of the pregnant woman protects and gives good health to unborn baby.

For treating pre-mature ejaculation Banyan Tree latex and leaves are very effective and in India people are using this and women worshiping Banyan tree.

The anti-diabetic effect of Banyan Tree bark is due to the presence of flavonoids, water soluble and insoluble glycoside. In studies, the decoction and infusion was found effective in moderate diabetes but ineffective in severe diabetes.