The Healing Properties of Cluster Fig Tree

According to one of the report by World Health Organization (WHO), around one billion people rely on herbal medicines. Majority of people in India rely on herbal practices for curing their day to day health problems. Indian herbal traditional knowledge is at par. This article deals with one of the important plants of Patalkot valley holding therapeutic properties and great importance among their day to day life. Tribals of this pocket not only use the plant part for curing various disorders but the tree has a sacred place in their rituals as well.

Patalkot is a dense and deep valley situated in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh in India. The valley is known for its floral diversity and traditional herbal practices performed by the local inhabitants. It is said to be the treasure of medicinal plants. Cluster fig tree is one of the commonly growing trees of the valley which holds immense medicinal properties. Tribal healers locally known as Bhumkas, prescribe it for many human health disorders.

The plant commonly known as Gular in India, belongs to family Moraceae. It is a moderate to large sized deciduous tree with large clusters of fruits on short leafless branches arising from the main trunk or large branches. The fruits are smooth or rarely covered with minute soft hairs, orange colored or dark crimson after ripen, and gives pleasant smell. The plant species generally grows in moist tropical and sub tropical climate.

Medicinal usage

The roots of Ficus racemosa are said to be effective in treating dysentery. Its bark is anti diabetic, refrigerant and used by the tribals as a wash for wounds. Powdered leaves mixed with honey are given in cases of constipation and vomit sensations. Tribals in Patalkot prepare decoction of the leaves for washing wounds and ulcers. Tender fruits are given in cases of diarrhea, dyspepsia and haemorrhages. The ripe fruits are effective in curing stomachache. It reduces fever too. The latex of the plant is given to cure impotency. According to Ayurveda, roots of the plant are useful in hydrophobia. It also serves as a good galactagogue and an effective treatment for various gynecological disorders. Fruits are taken as tonic and are useful in the treatment of leucorrhoea, blood disorders, burning sensation and digestive disorders. It also removes foul taste of mouth and applied in fatigue, urinary discharges, leprosy, menorrhagia, epitasis and intestinal worms. Fruits of this tree are known to cure dry cough, loss of speech, kidney and spleen disorders. Ficus bark is useful in asthma and piles. Latex obtained from the bark is applied against gum swellings by the Bhumkas of Chimtipur village of the Patalkot valley. To the patient suffering from the problem of urination, 1-2 ripe fruit is given by the Bhumkas everyday. To cure diarrhea in a pregnant lady, ripe fruits are given along with honey. For sun stroke and bleeding, ripe fruits are supplemented with sugar. Powder of the fruit and Vidari Kand (Pueraria tuberosa) is added in ghee (4-6g) and mixed in 100ml milk is given everyday. According to Bhumkas, it works as an aphrodisiac (Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008).

Plant in Rituals

It is having a much importance among the Hindus in worshiping Lord Ganesha. It is widely grown in religious places for shade. It is believed that copious shedding of the leaves of Ficus religiosa tree is a sign of on coming rains. Buddhists believe that Gautama Buddha received enlightenment under a Bo tree at Bodh Gaya and the Bo tree is Ficus glomerata. According to the tribal folks of Patalkot, one who enters the valley should eat one or two fruits of this tree. It is said to protected and safeguard the visitor from the evil spirits.

Reference

Acharya, Deepak and Shrivastava Anshu (2008): Indigenous Herbal Medicines: Tribal Formulations and Traditional Herbal Practices, Aavishkar Publishers Distributor, Jaipur- India. ISBN 9788179102527. pp 440.