Banyan Tree

The banyan tree is easily identified by its aerial roots and leathery broad leaves. The banyan tree is also known by other names such as the Nyagrodhah, Bargad, Peral, Vata, Vatagach and in India it is also referred to as the ‘wish fulfilling’ tree. The various useful parts of the banyan tree include its leaf buds, bark, latex as well as the fruits.

The health benefits and the therapeutic uses of the banyan tree include its effectiveness in curing dysentery and chronic diarrhea. In this treatment, the leaf buds of the banyan tree are soaked in water overnight and then consumed the next morning. In fact the medicinal benefits of the banyan tree are also found in its latex which is also used to treat dysentery and diarrhea.
Treatment for piles is yet another one of the medicinal uses of the banyan tree wherein a few drops of the latex of the banyan tree should be mixed with some milk and consumed daily as part of a natural treatment for bleeding piles. Along with this home remedy, while treating piles, the individual should also follow a diet that is abundant in green vegetables such as black nightshade leaves and fenugreek.
Health benefits of the banyan tree also result in the treatment of female sterility. In this treatment the roots of the banyan tree should be dried and then ground to a fine powder which should then be mixed with five times the quantity of milk and consumed for three nights consecutively after every menstruation cycle till the woman conceives
The banyan tree is also known to be effective in treating leucorrhoea which is achieved by regularly douching the genital tract with a mixture of the bark of the fig tree and the banyan tree.
The health benefits of the banyan tree also extend to teeth disorders. It has been observed that cleaning the teeth using the aerial roots of the banyan tree is known to help in preventing various teeth disorders. The astringent properties of the roots of the banyan tree tends to cleanse as well as strengthen the gums and the teeth.
The latex obtained from the bark of the banyan tree is also known to be used locally as a natural treatment for lumbago and rheumatic pain. The latex is also used locally to treat skin disorders such as ulcers, bruises and sores.
Similarly the milk juice that is obtained from the banyan tree bark is also used as a natural remedy to get rid of skin moles. For best results it is advisable to apply this milk juice to the moles at least thrice a day.

In addition to the medicinal uses of the banyan tree, it is also known to have a variety of other uses such as the milk sap of the banyan tree is used in some countries for polishing brass and copper. Similarly the banyan tree produces a special type of rubber and the sticky milk of the banyan tree is also known to be used in gardening.

The banyan tree is also known to produce shellac which is commonly used as a surface finisher and an adhesive in the industrial world. This shellac is typically produced by lac insects that are known to act as parasites and live off the banyan tree. In countries like India, the broad leaves of the banyan tree are also dried and used as plates and the wood of the banyan tree is also used for door panels, well curbs, furniture and boxes.

In addition to the medicinal uses, the banyan tree is also known to have a religious significance and is known to be sacred mostly to Buddhists and Hindus.