Banyan Health Benefits

Banyan is an effective home remedy for diarrhea, piles, joint pain, infertility, skin and teeth disorders. The Banyan tree is considered sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, and referred to as "Kalpavriksha", or wish fulfilling tree. It is a very large tree with widely spreading branches and aerial roots-prop roots. The bark is greenish white and the fruit, contained in red, fleshy receptacles.

Banyan Medicinal Properties

The banyan bark, leaves, buds, fruit and the aerial root - all of these can be used. It is an astringent, refrigerant, anodyne, depurative, anti-inflammatory, styptic, antiarthritic, anti-emetic, anti-diarrhoeal and tonic. The banyan fruit is nutritious and has a soothing effect on the skin and mucous membranes.

Banyan Home Remedies

It is used to treat the following conditions:

• Diarrhoea

  The Banyan leaf buds are helpful in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentry. Soak banyan tree buds in water overnight. Drink this infusion periodically till diarrhoea is under control.

• Piles and Hemorrhoids

  Bleeding hemorrhoids and piles can be treated by dissolving some of the latex in milk. Drink this milky latex infusion daily along with a complementary consumption of green vegetables like fenugreek or black night shade leaves.

• Joint Pain

  The milky juice from the banyan tree can be used to massage the joints as it relieves swelling and rheumatic pain.

• Baldness

  Boil some dried aerial roots of banyan tree and lotus root in coconut oil. Use this on the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

• Female Infertility

  Female sterility can be cured by the tender roots of the banyan tree. The roots are dried in the shade and finely powdered. The powder is mixed with milk and taken for three consecutive nights at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. This treatment is prescribed every month till conception occurs.

• Vomiting

  A decoction of the aerial roots is helpful in stemming the nausea.

• Skin Disorders

  Apply a ground mixture of banyan, peepal bark and coconut milk on scars and ulcer eruptions. Alternatively, the latex can be used on these ulcers and scars. A hot poultice made from the leaves can be applied on the abscess to promote breakage.

• Teeth Disorders

  The astringent secretion from the banyan root is effective against teeth disorders. Clean the teeth with the aerial roots to strengthen gums and teeth.

Indian Language Glossary:

English	Latin	Sanskrit	Hindi	Marathi	Tamil	Telugu	Malayalam	Kannada
Banyan tree	Ficus benghalensis	Nyagrodhah	Bat, Barogad	Vata	Alamaram	Peddamarri	Peral	Ala