The name Banyan tree in English seems to have been given by Europeans to a particular tree of this species in the Persian Gulf, under which banias or members of the Indian merchant community used to assemble for worship & business. Gradually the name spread to indicate all the species of this tree. From time immemorial poets and mystics of India have been eloquent in singing trees planted along the country roads, shrines or uncultivated fields India. The Banyan tree is well known allover Asia the tree has what is known as the aerial roots its branches drop to the ground take roots again and send out more twisting and trailing branches thus extending the growth of the tree indefinitely. It has smooth, shining, rather stiff and leathery leaves, broadly oval in shape the flowers & fruits are in conspicious very minute many of them being held together in the fig which is a sort of pouch that contains hundred of flower or fruits. The leaves of the Banyan tree yield ficusin and bergaptene. The latex of the tree is very toxic.
HEALING POWER & CURATIVE PROPERTIES: -The Banyan has many medicinal properties. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments. The bark and the leaf buds of the tree are useful in arresting secretion or bleeding. The fruits exercise a soothing effect on the skin and mucous membranes alleviate swelling and pain and sever as a mild purgative. It is also nutritious.
DIARRHOEA AND DYSENTERY: -The leaf buds of the Banyan tree are beneficial in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea and dysentery the buds should be soaled in water over night and taken as infusion in the treatment of these diseases, the latex is also useful in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery
PILES: -A few drops of the latex of the Banyan tree mixed in milk & taken daily help to cure bleeding piles. With this treatment the diet of the patient should contain liberal quantities of green vegetables especially fenugreek and black nightshade leaves.
FEMALE STERILITY: -Tender roots of the Banyan tree are considered beneficial in the treatment of female sterility. These roots should be dried in the shade and finely powdered this power should be mixed 5 times its weight with milk and taken at night for 3 consecutive nights after menstruation cycle every month till the conception takes place no other food should be taken this.
LEUCORRHOEA: -A regular douching of the genital tract with a decoction of the bark of the Banyan tree and the fig tree is helpful in leucorrhoea a tablespoon each of the powders of the bark of the two trees should be boiled the a liter of water till it is reduced to about half. Douching with the lukewarm doction will help the tissues of vaginal tract healthy.
TEETH DISORDERS: -Cleaning the teeth with the aerial roots of the Banyan is beneficial in preventing teeth & gum disorders. As one chews the stick & brushes the astringent secretion from the root stick cleaning & strengthens the teeth & gum.
RHEUMATISM: -The latex is commonly used locally for rheumatism pain and lumbago.
SKIN DISORDERS: -A hot poultice of the can be applied with beneficial results to abscesses to promote suppuration and to hasten their breaking the destroying warts. The latex is commonly used locally for sores, an infusion of the bark is a special medicine for diabetes the tender ends of the aerial roots can be taken the obstinate vomiting.
