Sacred Fig Tree

The Sacred Fig Tree or Pipal belongs to the plant family Moraceae or Urticaceae. Like the Banyan Tree, this tree also grows to a height of over 30 metres. However, it has only a few slender prop roots. The Pipal is one of the most sacred trees of the Hindus and the buddhists. It is often planted in the vicinity of temples and sacred places. Like most members of the genus ficus, the tree has a milky latex. The heart shaped leaves with reticulate venation are 10-18 cm. long and have long petioles. The leaf apex has a linear-lanceolate tail which is half as long as the leaf blade. The bark of the tree is smooth and light grey in colour. The flowers inside the receptacle are very tiny and insignificant. The fruits are green and smooth when unripe and black or purple when ripe.

MEDICINAL USE:
*Diabetes and diseases of the nerves.
*Boils, mumps and pustules.
*Constipation.
*Earache.
*Burns and swellings.
*Bleeding piles.
*Improvement of the complexion.

HOW TO USE:
*For diabetes and diseases of the nerves, soak some crushed bark in a glass of water overnight. Filter
  and drink the filtrate early morning for a few days.
*For boils, mumps and pustules, take the pipal leaf and smear it with clarified butter or ghee and
  warm slightly over a naked flame. apply over the affected parts when it is lukewarm.
*To relieve constipation, dry a few pipal leaves in the shades. Powder them along with 1-2 teaspoon
  of anis seeds. Add a little jaggery and water and roll into pills with warm milk or water before
  going to bed every night.
*For earache, heat some crushed pieces of bark in mustard oil. Strain and use this oil as ear drops.
*For burns and swelling, apply a paste of the powdered bark locally.
*For bleeding piles, take 1-2 teaspoon of dried leaf powder with warm water.
*To improve complexion, mix some bark powder with gram powder (Cicer arietinum) in equal
  quantities and use this in place of soap for cleansing the face and hands.

PARTS USED:
*Bark and leaves.

DOSE:
As recommended above.

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp

1 litre = 7 or 8 cups