Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

264 Ficus asperrima Roxb.
F
Habitat ◮ Cultivated in Rajsthan,
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Western
Peninsula.
Ayurvedic ◮ Nandi Vriksha, Prarohi,
Gajapaadapa, Paarasa Pipala.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kagoti.
Action ◮ Leaves—a moderate
sterilizer, given to women after
menses. Leaves and bark—used in
skin diseases.
Dosage ◮ Bark—50–100 ml decoction.
(CCRAS.)
Ficus asperrima Roxb.
Family ◮ Moraceae.
Habitat ◮ Madhya Pradesh and
Western Peninsula.
Ayurvedic ◮
classical).
Kharapatra (non-
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kal-arasu.
Folk ◮ Kaala-umar.
Action ◮ Juice of bark—given for
enlargement of liver and spleen.
Ficus benghalensis Linn.
Family ◮ Moraceae.
Habitat ◮ Sub-Himalayan tract and
Peninsular India. Planted along
roadsides, and in gardens.
English ◮ Banyan tree.
Ayurvedic ◮ Vata, Nyagrodha,
Bahupaada, Dhruv.
Unani ◮ Bargad, Darakht-e-Reesh.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Aalamaram.
Action ◮ Infusion of bark—used
in diabetes, dysentery, and in
seminal weakness, leucorrhoea,
menorrhagia, nervous disorders,
erysipelas, burning sensation. Milky
juice and seeds—applied topically
to sores, ulcers, cracked soles of
the feet, rheumatic inflammations.
Buds—a decoction in milk is given
in haemorrhages. Aerial roots—
antiemetic, topically applied to
pimples. Leaves—a paste is applied
externally to abscesses and wounds
for promoting suppuration.
Along with other therapeutic applications,
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia
of India recommends the aerial root in
lipid disorders.
Phytosterolin, isolated from the
roots, given orally to fasting rabbits
at a dose of 25 mg/kg, produced maximum
fall in blood sugar level equivalent
to 81% of the tolbutamide standard
after 4 h. The root bark showed antidiabetic
activity in pituitary diabetes and
alloxan-induced diabetes.
The alcoholic extract of the stem
bark also exhibited antidiabetic activity
on alloxan-induced diabetes in
albino rats, and brought down the
level of serum cholesterol and blood
urea. This activity is attributed to
a glucoside, bengalenoside and the
flavonoid glycosides, leucocyanidin
and leucopelargonidin. Bengalenoside
is half as potent as tolbutamide. The
leucopelargonidin glycoside is practically
nontoxic and may be useful in
controlling diabetes with hyperlipidemia.
The leucocyanidin, when combined
with a low dose of insulin, not
only equalled in response the effects