Sacred Fig - Benefits of Natural Healing Herb
Sacred Fig tree is worshipped by hindus, not merely on sentimental or religious grounds, but because of its valuable medicinal properties.
Its virtues have been brought to light by our ancient masters of the art and science of medicine. The root, bark and even the delicate leaves and fruits are used for medicinal purposes.
The bark is astringent, cooling, soothing, helps normalize pitta and kapha and has nutritive value. The fruits aid digestion, act as a carminative, blood purifier, tonic, aphrodisiac and increase the semen. The leaves have mildly laxative and astringent effects.
The leaves are boiled in milk and water, filtered and the milk is given to drink. It relieves the burning sensation caused by gonorrhoea and reduces pus cells.
The root bark is boiled and the infusion used for washing ulcers and abscesses. The thin powder of the bark is spread over ulcers, which it cleans and its antiseptic properties hasten healing.
Decoction of the root bark is used for gargling. Women suffering from leucorrhoea can take a douche of the same and it has been found very efficacious. Persons suffering from blood impurities and skin disorders also take the water prepared from boiling the bark of the tree. It has been found that the bark has a specific medicinal component which purifies the blood.
Patients suffering from gout can take the decoction prepared from the root bark with a little honey added to it and it will reduce pain as a result of purification of the blood.
The delicate buds of this tree known as pipala jata after being washed are pounded, made into a paste and given with milk for three days after menstruation to increase the power of conception.
The fruit is dried and the powder prepared from it is given with honey to patients suffering from dyspepsia.
In early childhood when there is a hint of stammering and the speech is not clear, the fruit given to a child causes an improvement in the speech.
The fruits are an effective tonic and can be given to both men and women for purification of the sperm and ovum. It is a soothing and cooling remedy.
The juice of the bark along with that of the leaves helps to heal mouth ulcers. The application of the milk juice is also very useful in case of cracked feet and skin.
The above are but a few of the medicinal uses of the sacred fig. which is used in many more ways as medicine in rural areas.
