PEEPAL

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Peepal is Ficus religiosa Linn which belongs to the Moraceae family. It is called a Bodhi tree and sacred fig.

Hindi – Peepal tree

English – Sacred fig

Arabic – Shajratul

Bengali – Aswattha

Gujarathi – Peepalo

Kannada – Ashwattha

Malayalam – Ashwatham

Marathi – Peepal

Tamil – Ashwatham, Arasamaram

Telugu – Ashwathamu

Urdu – Peepal

English – bo-tree, peepul

Peepal originated from Indo-China and the Indian subcontinent from Himalayan foothills to Southwestern China, northern Thailand, and Vietnam and it is also widely found in tropical Asia, Iran, Florida, and Venezuela

It is a deciduous tree that grows at a height of 25m and it has aerial roots absent. The leaves are simple, alternate, spiral, and the stipules 1-1.5cm long, lateral, petioles are 60-120mm long. Flowers are unisexual, axillary sessile. Figs are in pairs, rounded and flat-topped green to 1.5cm and it becomes purple with red dots once it gets ripens. The flower starts to appear from November to December and the fruit growing season is April to May.

Parts used: Bark, Tender leaf, Latex, and Fruit

Taste: Astringent and Sweet

Potency: Cold

On chemical compound analysis of Peepal, it includes

Beta-sitosteryl-D-glucoside, Vit.K, n-octacosanol, methyl oleanolate, lanosterol and stigmasterol.

Fruits: Terpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids, serotonergic

Bark: Steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenol, glycosides, tannins, saponins, polyphenolic compounds, sterols

Leaves: Flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, sterols

Roots: Tannins, alkaloids, saponin, β-sitosterol-D-glucoside

Latex: Alkaloids, glycosides, amino acids, flavonoids, tannins

ACTIONS:

Bronchoconstriction

Anti-fertility

Anti-diabetic

Anti-inflammatory

 anti-ulcer

Wound healing

Anti-parkinson

Anti-asthmatic

Anti-convulsant

Nephroprotective 

Leaves: The leaf of this tree is used in the treatment of constipation. And it is used along with young shoots and acts as a laxative. In Nepal, the juice obtained from the leaf is mixed with honey is used to treat diarrhea, asthma, cough, earache toothache, migraine, and haematuria and it also shows memory-enhancing activity

Bark: The bark has cooling and astringent property and it is used to treat inflammation and swelling in the glandular region of the neck. The paste obtained from the powdered bark is used to treat anal fistula. It is also effective against diabetes, diarrhea leucorrhea, anxiety, urinogenital disorders.

Fruits: The fruits and seeds of this plant have digestive, laxative, and refrigerant activity. The dried fruit helps to manage asthma. It also acts as a cardiac tonic and helps to cure vaginal diseases. The fruit extract has anti-tumor and anti-bacterial activity 

The dose of the drug used according to the physician

Decoction – 50-100ml

Powder– 3-5gm

Kindly avoid taking this herb while you are taking any medications to reduce blood sugar level and blood pressure

Peepal fruit contain latex which produces allergies in some patients so it is advisable to consult the doctor before taking this herb

Without consulting with the doctor do not take this medicine

Diarrhea:

According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins. Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. Peepal control diarrhea and makes the stool too thick and also reduces the episodes of motion by its astringent properties

Take the required amount of peepal bark powder and boil it with 1 cup of water for 10 minutes and wait until it reduces to ¼ amount and filter the content and consume it after your meals. Use this remedy to treat the symptoms of diarrhea

Menorrhagia:

According to Ayurveda, menorrhagia is called Raktapradar which occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta dosha. The use of peepal balances the imbalance of Pitta dosha and helps to regulate the heavy bleeding by its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent)

Take the required amount of peepal bark powder as per the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor with water or rice water. Use this remedy to control heavy menstrual bleeding

Constipation:

Constipation occurs due to consumption of junk food, stress, depression, excessive coffee intake, late night sleeping. It is caused due to the worsening of Vata and pitta dosha. Peepal lea juice helps to treat constipation by easily expelling the waste products due to its purgative nature.

Take the required amount of peepal leaf juice as per the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor and mix it with mil hot water. Use this remedy daily to treat constipation

Anti-fertility:

Peepal fruit contain some chemical constituents like terpenoids, glycosides, and flavonoids this prevent the attachment of fertilized egg to the uterine lining

Diabetes:

Due to its antioxidant property, the use of peepal prevent the damage of cardiac cell that caused by free radicals and block arteries and it also reduces the cholesterol level an increase the cardiac functions

Asthma:

Traditional view: According to the Ayurveda, asthma occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas in the lungs which results in obstruction in the passages in the respiratory. The use of peepal treats asthma by balancing the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas this helps to reduce the blockage in the respiratory passage by removing the excess mucus in the lungs.

Modern view: Due to its anti-allergic property it prevents the narrowing of the lungs airway which is caused by chemical mediators such as histamine, and acetylcholine this helps to breathe easily

Parkinson diseases:

Due to its antiparkinson and anti-oxidant property, the use of peepal helps to improve motor performance and reduce oxidative cells and prevent the damage of cells by fighting against the free radicals

Wound healing:

Due to its, anti-inflammatory properties, applying the peepal leaf extract to the affected area will increase the collagen synthesis and formation of new skin cells and it also helps to reduce the infection by its antimicrobial activity

Take the required amount of peepal bark powder and mix it with honey and make it as paste apply this paste to the affected area. Use this remedy daily to heal the wound quickly

Epistaxis (bleeding from the nose):

According to Ayurveda, epistaxis occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta dosha. The use of peepal control epistaxis by its astringent property helps to thicken the blood and stop bleeding.

Take the required amount of peepal leaves juice and slowly drop this juice in each nostril to control bleeding

Eczema: Due to its Ropan (healing) and Kashaya (astringent) properties, peepal helps to control the symptoms of eczema like itching 

The Peepal comes in various formulations includes

Peepal Bark powder:

Take the required amount of peepal bark powder as per the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor with water or rice water. Use this remedy to control heavy menstrual bleeding

Peepal leaves juice:

Take the required amount of peepal leaf juice as per the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor and mix it with mil hot water. Use this remedy daily to treat constipation

Peepal bark decoction:

Take the required amount of peepal bark powder and boil it with 1 cup of water for 10 minutes and wait until it reduces to ¼ amount and filter the content and consume it after your meals. Use this remedy to treat the symptoms of diarrhea

External use:

Peepal leaves juice:

Take the required amount of peepal leaves juice and slowly drop this juice in each nostril to control bleeding

Peepal bark powder:

Take the required amount of people's bark powder and mix it with honey and make it as paste apply this paste to the affected area. Use this remedy daily to heal the wound quickly

Is Peepal powder available in the market?

Yes, it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic medical stores.

How to store Peepal powder?

It should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children

What is the lifespan of the Peepal tree?

The average lifespan of a peepal tree is 900-1500 years

Can we eat Peepal leaves?

Yes, it is safe to eat peepal leaves but make sure that you wash the leaves before consuming it