Peepal
Peepal
Peepal, a large evergreen tree, is considered to be sacred in India. It not only emits oxygen but also has many important medicinal benefits. Different parts of the Peepal such as root bark, stem bark, roots, leaves, and fruits are used to manage conditions like high blood sugar levels, constipation, and asthma.
Peepal is beneficial for managing skin diseases. The topical application of Peepal leaf extract in the form of ointment helps in wound healing. It helps in reducing the inflammation related to eczema due to its anti-inflammatory property.
Peepal bark helps reduce the symptoms of diarrhea by contracting the mucosal cells or other body tissues due to its astringent property. The dried powder of Peepal bark is used in the management of respiratory problems due to its anti-allergic property. The pills made from powdered Peepal leaves might be used to manage constipation due to its laxative property.
Peepal might cause allergies in some hypersensitive individuals, so it is advisable to use Peepal formulations under medical supervision only[7][6].
Peepal is beneficial for managing skin diseases. The topical application of Peepal leaf extract in the form of ointment helps in wound healing. It helps in reducing the inflammation related to eczema due to its anti-inflammatory property.
Peepal bark helps reduce the symptoms of diarrhea by contracting the mucosal cells or other body tissues due to its astringent property. The dried powder of Peepal bark is used in the management of respiratory problems due to its anti-allergic property. The pills made from powdered Peepal leaves might be used to manage constipation due to its laxative property.
Peepal might cause allergies in some hypersensitive individuals, so it is advisable to use Peepal formulations under medical supervision only[7][6].
What are the synonyms of Peepal?
Ficus religiosa, Pippala, Ahant, Asvattha, Ashud, Ashvattha, Piplo, Jari, Piparo, Pipalo, Pipala, Pipal, Arlo, Ranji, Basri, Ashvatthanara, Ashwatha, Aralimara, Aralegida, Ashvathamara, Basari, Ashvattha, Bad, Arayal, Pimpal, Pippal, Aswatha, Ashwarthan, Arasamaram, Arasan, Arasu, Arara, Ravichettu
What is the source of Peepal?
Plant Based
Benefits of Peepal
1. Epistaxis
Hemorrhage or bleeding from the nose is called epistaxis. According to Ayurveda, nasal bleeding indicates an aggravation of Pitta dosha. Peepal is a useful herb that helps to control epistaxis. This is because of its Kashaya (astringent) property that helps in thickening of blood to stop hemorrhage (bleeding). It also helps reduce inflammation due to its Sita (cold) property.
Tips for using Peepal leaves juice.
a. Put 1-2 drops (or as directed by the physician) of Peepal leaves juice in each nostril to control nasal bleeding.
2.Wound healing
Peepal helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin due to its Ropan (healing) property. Peepal also works on the wound by controlling bleeding because of its Sita (Cold) and Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tips for using Peepal bark powder.
a. Take 2-3gm (or as per your requirement) of Peepal bark powder.
b. Mix it with honey to make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area and leave it for 15-20 minutes for quick healing of wounds.
Hemorrhage or bleeding from the nose is called epistaxis. According to Ayurveda, nasal bleeding indicates an aggravation of Pitta dosha. Peepal is a useful herb that helps to control epistaxis. This is because of its Kashaya (astringent) property that helps in thickening of blood to stop hemorrhage (bleeding). It also helps reduce inflammation due to its Sita (cold) property.
Tips for using Peepal leaves juice.
a. Put 1-2 drops (or as directed by the physician) of Peepal leaves juice in each nostril to control nasal bleeding.
2.Wound healing
Peepal helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin due to its Ropan (healing) property. Peepal also works on the wound by controlling bleeding because of its Sita (Cold) and Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tips for using Peepal bark powder.
a. Take 2-3gm (or as per your requirement) of Peepal bark powder.
b. Mix it with honey to make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area and leave it for 15-20 minutes for quick healing of wounds.
Precautions when using Peepal
Allergy
Important
Modern Science View
Peepal fruit contains latex that might cause allergies or skin rashes in some individuals. So it is advisable to consult a physician before using Peepal on the skin[9].
How to use Peepal
1. Peepal Leaves Juice
a. Put 1-2 drops of Peepal leaves juice or as directed by the physician in each nostril.
b. To get quick control of nasal bleeding.
2. Peepal Bark Powder
a. Take 2-3gm of Peepal bark powder or as per your requirement.
b. Make a paste of bark powder mixed with honey.
c. Apply it on the affected area and leave it 15-20minutes.
d. To get quick healing of wounds.
a. Put 1-2 drops of Peepal leaves juice or as directed by the physician in each nostril.
b. To get quick control of nasal bleeding.
2. Peepal Bark Powder
a. Take 2-3gm of Peepal bark powder or as per your requirement.
b. Make a paste of bark powder mixed with honey.
c. Apply it on the affected area and leave it 15-20minutes.
d. To get quick healing of wounds.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Yes, we can eat Peepal leaves however it is recommended to wash these leaves properly before eating. A tea made from Peepal leaves is also effective for managing certain skin diseases such as itching.
Modern Science View
The average lifespan of the Peepal tree is approximately 900-1500 years.
Ayurvedic View
You can make Peepal leaf juice by the following method:
1. Take a few fresh leaves of Peepal.
2. Crush or grind them to get extract juice.
3. You can also buy Peepal juice available in the market.
1. Take a few fresh leaves of Peepal.
2. Crush or grind them to get extract juice.
3. You can also buy Peepal juice available in the market.
Modern Science View
The scientific name of the Peepal tree is Ficus religiosa. It is a large perennial tree, found throughout the plains of India. It has got mythological, religious as well as medicinal importance in Indian culture.
Modern Science View
Both Peepal and Indian banyan trees are very similar species, quite much similar in appearance and other features. They have large deep roots, big leaves and both possess medicinal as well as spiritual values in Indian folklore. Even though the roots of peepal trees also grow deep and large and woody in time just like the Banyan tree, they are not aerial. Another noticeable difference which distinguishes these species from each other is the appearance of leaves. The leaves of Peepal tree are medium, leathery, and heart-shaped, while Banyan leaves are large, leathery, glossy, and elliptical.
Modern Science View
Peepal trees generally have a very long lifespan. It may live up to 900 to 1500 years.
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India. Part 1 Volume 1.
- Panchawat S. Ficus religiosa Linn. (Peepal): A Phyto-Pharmacological Review. International journal of pharmaceutical and chemical sciences. 2012;1(1):435-446.
- Olaokun OO, McGaw LJ, Eloff JN, et al. Evaluation of the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes, antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content of extracts of ten African Ficus species (Moraceae) used traditionally to treat diabetes. BMC Complementary Altern Med. 2013;13:94.
- Devi P, Kumar P, Dhamija N, et al. Antifertility activity of medicinal plants on male and female reproduction. IJPSR. 2015;6(3):988-1001.
- Choudhary S, Pathak AK, Khare S, et al. Evaluation of the antidiabetic activity of leaves and fruits of Ficus religiosa Linn. IJPLS.2011;2(12):1325-1327.
- Singh D, Singh B, Goel RK. Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ficus religiosa: a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Mar 8;134(3):565-83.
- Sandeep, Kumar A, Dimple, et al. Ficus religiosa: A wholesome medicinal tree. Journal of pharmacognosy and phytochemistry.2018;7(4):32-37.
- Kapoor M, Jasani N, Acharya N, et al. Phytopharmacological evaluation and anti-asthmatic activity of Ficus religiosa leaves. Asian pacific journal of tropical medicine. 2011;4(8):642-644.
- Quattrocchi U. CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants. CRC press. 2016.
- Gregory M, Divya, Mary RA, et al. Anti-ulcer activity of Ficus religiosa leaf extract. Asian pacific journal of tropical biomedicine. 2012; 3(7):554-556.
- Rathod VD, Ware DN, Pillai S, et al. Antiarthritic activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus religiosa leaves in FCA induced arthritis in rats. World Journal of Pharmaceutical research.2018;7(2):778-779.
- Vishwanathan S, Thirugnanasambantham P, Reddy MK, et al. Anti-inflammatory and mast cell protective effect of Ficus religiosa. Ancient science of life. 1990;10(2):122-125.
- Roy K, Shivakumar H, Sarkar S.Wound Healing Potential of Leaf Extracts of Ficus Religiosa on Wistar albino strain rats.International Journal of PharmTech Research.2009;1(3):506-508.
- Gulecha V, Sivakumar T, Upaganlawar A, Mahajan M, and Upasani C. Screening of Ficus religiosa leaves fractions for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Indian J Pharmacol. 2011 Nov-Dec; 43(6): 662–666.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.