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A Review on Ficus religiosa (Sacred Fig)

Vishnu Sharma, Sweta Mishra, Rincy Yesudas, Ritu Singh Rajput

Department of Food & Biotechnology, Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur, India

Received: February 22, 2019 Accepted: March 30, 2019

ABSTRACT: : Nature renders the primary necessities of individuals to be alive or self-care. With basic
demands of particulars as food & shelter, nature also possesses the therapeutic attributes which are due to
the presence of various complex chemical substances as secondary plant metabolites in one or more parts
of these plants. These natural substances reveal strong efficacy against several assorted diseases and
promote health and alleviate illness. The present review emphasizes on traditional uses and clinical
potentials of Ficus religiosa Linn. F. religiosa is a large evergreen tree found throughout the world as the
wild plant or cultivated. It has great mythological, religious, medical importance and considered as the
oldest tree in Indian history. The review also covers comprehensive data of F. religiosa's ethnobotanical,
natural product chemistry, pharmacological data.

Key Words: Therapeutic; Mythological; Medical; Pharmacological

INTRODUCTION:
Plants are livestock that supplies basic need of universe in form of food, clothing, and shelter. With this key
fulfils, these also possess the thereputic properties which is utilized in form of pharmaceuticals, tobacco,
coffee, alcohol, and other drugs throughout the planet (Vaidya, 1997; Aiyegoro and Okoh, 2009). Since the
Vedas time, plants are using as a medicine in mode of Homeopathy, Allopathy, Unani and Ayurvedic
medicine (Jawla et al., 2009; Husain et al., 1992). There is Sushruta Samhita, Charaka Samhita and Bhagvat
are three preliminary texts which build the base of Ayush and milestone in medical sciences (Sharma et al.,
2014; Nair and Chanda, 2007). From opening of 20th century, allopathic systems of medicine have
popularity among people, which was based on fast therapeutic actions of synthetic drugs but unfortunately
it has several side effects. Due to it, the present route of healthcare system is being changed from synthetic
to herbal trend. It is termed as “Return to the Nature” (Krishnaraju et al., 2005; Singh, 2007). The natural
remedies by plants have an assorted data of phytochemicals and essential oils which reveals therapeutics
importance for human (Krishna et al., 2008; Sharma et al., 2014). F. religiosa (Peepal Tree) is a gift to world
population from nature which is an oldest medicinal plant and most sacred tree in the Hindu mythology
(Singh et al., 2011). Traditionally, Peepal is being used to cure different disorders including asthma,
diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric problems, and inflammatory disorders, infectious and sexual disorders
(Sirisha et al., 2010).

DISTRIBUTION:
Ficus religiosa is endemic to the Asia-Tropical regions including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, China,
Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Iraq. The plant natively belongs to tropical Asia (Chad, India, Nepal, and
Thailand) from where it has now been introduced, spread and cultivated throughout everywhere of the
world. Ecologically, it is scattered in forests, where it propagates as an epiphyte on other trees (Orwa et al.,
2009). Apart from the wide distribution of Ficus religiosa, it is endured with more than 150 names around
the world.
Table-1: Terrestrial identities of Wide distributed “Ficus religiosa”
Sr no Country Country Popular Name
1. India Arachu, Arasu, Ashathwa, Ashvallia Pipla, Ashvatha
Pipla, Bodh Tree, Jari, Peepal, Pipul
2. Spanish Higuera de Agua
3. French Arbre bo, Arbre de Dieu, Figuier des Pagodes
4. Chinese Puti Shu, Putishu
5. Brazil Figueira-dos-Pagodes, Figueira religiosa
6. Cuba Alamo
7. Dominican Republic Higuillo

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8. Germany Bobaum, Heiliger feigenbaum, Indischer Pepulbaum

9. Israel Ficus kadosh
10. Italy Fico del Diavolo
11. Myanmar Bawdi nyaung, Lagat, Mai nyawng, Puerto Rico, Botree
12. Sweden Tempel fikus
Gupta and Singh, 2012; Singh and Jaiswal 2014

VEDIC HISTORY
Ficus religiosa, is the most popular member of the Moraceae family. Ficus religiosa has mythological,
religious and medicinal importance in Indian culture. References to Ficus religiosa are seen in numerous
ancient holy texts like Arthasastra, Puranas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavadgita and
Buddhistic literature etc (Prasad et al., 2006). According to Vedic archives cited in the Brahma Purana,
Padma Purana and Skanda Purana, the peepal is a representative of Lord Vishnu. It also believed that all
Trimurti's are born under this tree (Panchawa, 2012; Rutuja et al., 2015). As a mythological assumption, the
root of peepal is devoted as a figure of Brahma, the trunk is Lord Vishnu and the leaves are regarded as
Maha Shiva. The tree propagates very fast and roots are appended with trunk and seem like supportive
pillars. It is sometimes also called kalpvriksha (Warrier et al., 1995).Thus, the basis of different historical
beliefs; Peepal tree is distinguished with various vernacular names.
VERNACULAR NAME:
Table-2: Vernacular Names of Ficus religiosa
Sr No Language Vernacular Name
1. Assamese Ahant
2. Bengali Asvattha, Ashud, Ashvattha
3. English Pipal tree, bo tree, bodhi, botree fig, peepul tree, sacred fig,
sacred tree
4. Guajarati Piplo, Jari, Piparo, Pipalo, Pipers
5. Hindi Pipali, bodhi tree, peepul tree Pipala, Pipal
6. Kanarese Arani, Ashwatha mara, Pippala, Ragi
7. Kannada Ranji, Basri, Ashvatthanara, Ashwatha, Aralimara, Aralegida,
Ashvathamara
8. Kashmiri Bad
9. Malayalam Arayal
10. Marathi Pipal, Pimpal, Pippal, Pimpala
11. Tamil Ashwarthan, Arasamaram, Arasan, Arasu, Arara
12. Telugu Ravichettu
13. Punjabi Pipal, Pippal
14. Sanskrit Ashvattha, Bodhidruma, Pippala, Shuchidruma, Vrikshraj, yajnika
15. Oriya Aswatha Punjabi: Pipal, Pippal
Kala, 2004; Gupta and Singh, 2012; Singh and Jaiswal 2014

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
F. religiosa is a long lifespan tree with an average life ranging between 900–1,500 years. It grows at sea plain
heights ranging from 33 ft up to 4,990 ft. Ficus religiosa is cultivated by specialty tree plant nurseries for use
as an ornamental tree, in gardens and parks in tropical and subtropical climates (Choudhary, 2006).
Habitually, the bodhi tree is semi-evergreen tree that has up to 98 ft tall and a trunk of about 9.8 ft. It is
usually epiphytic with the drooping branches having long-petiole, ovate, cordate shiny leaves. Leaves are
bright green, 10–17 centimeters long and 8–12 centimeters broad, with a 6–10 centimeters petiole. The
apex dropped into a linear-lanceolate end as the foremost portion of the leaf. The bark is flat or slightly
curved, varying from 5 to 8 mm in thickness. The outer cover is grey or ash with membranous layers and
oftentimes it is also covered with crustose lichen brown or ash colored surface (Warrier, 1996; Babu et al.,
2010). The fruits are small figs, in paired, 1–1.5 centimeters in diameter, green to purple during ripening.
Flowers are positioned as axillary sessile and are unisexual. With morphological characteristics, Banyans is
distinguished as male and female trees (Singh and Jaiswal, 2014).

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Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Subkingdom Viridaeplantae
Phylum Tracheophyta
Subphylum Spermatophytina
Infraphylum Angiospermae
Class Magnoliopsida
Subclass Dilleniidae
Super order: Urticanae
Order Urticales
Family Moraceae
Division Magnoliophyta
Tribe Ficeae
Genus Ficus
Specific religiosa L.
Preferred Scientific Name Ficus religiosa L
Preferred Common Name Sacred Fig Tree
Figure-1: Ficus religiosa Tree ( Sacred Fig ).

The word ‘Ficus’ is originally from the Latin word 'Fig' which means the fruit of the tree whereas 'religiosa'
refers to 'religion' that reflects sarcasm of plant in both Hinduism and Buddhism and by which is very
frequently planted in temples.

NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION
The tree of F. religiosa has significant nutritional composition in its all parts. The fruits are rich in
macronutrients and micronutrients. Fruits of F. religiosa are a healthy source of carbohydrates, protein, fat
Dietary fiber, calcium and iron which is used in fresh or dried form (Bhogaonkar et al., 2014 ; Verma and
Gupta, 2015). Besides fruit, leaves and bark of F. religiosa are also rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fat
(Wangkheirakpam and Laitonjam, 2012). A detailed composition of the various parts of F. religiosa is
described in Table.
Table-3: Nutritional Composition of F. religiosa
Plant Parts Proximate composition (per 100 g)
Moisture Carbohydrates Proteins Fats Crude / Ash Calcium
content Dietary content
fiber
Fresh fruits 62.40g 21.20g 2.50g 1.70g 9.90g 2.30g 289mg
Dried fruits 18.80g 68.33g 8.48g 0.15g 69.43g 4.44g 848mg
Leaves 50.50g 19.20g 13.55g 2.50g 26.10g 12.90g 1.67mg
Bark 62.40g 15.40g 2.50g 1.70g 9.90g 13.10g 16.10mg
Wangkheirakpam and Laitonjam, 2012; Bhogaonkar et al., 2014; Verma and Gupta, 2015;
Singh et al., 2015; Kumar et al., 2018

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS:
Phytochemistry word is used to define the chemistry of natural commodities which are utilized as novel
drugs. Preliminary F. religiosa is rich in tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and cardiac
glycosides, wax etc (Babu et al., 2010; Taskeen et al., 2009; Jiwala et al., 2008; Gautam et al., 2014; Singh et
al., 2015). The barks of F. religiosa possess enormous bearing of bergapten, lanosterol, β-sitosterol,
stigmasterol, lupen-3-one, β-sitosterol-d-glucoside, leucocyanidin-3-0-β-D-glucopyranoside,
leucopelargonidin3-0-β-D-glucopyranoside, lupeol, ceryl behenate, lupeol acetate, α-amyrin acetate (Swami
et al., 1996; Swami et al., 1989; Ambike et al., 1967; Singh and Goela, 2009). Leaves of peepal have
abundance with campesterol, α-amyrin, lupeol, tannic acid, n-nonacosane, hexacosanol and n-octacosane
(Panda et al., 1976; Verma et al., 1986; Behari et al., 1984). The fruit part comprises (e)-β-ocimene, α-
thujene, α-pinene, α-terpinene, limonene, α-ylangene, α-copaene, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, γ-cadinene
and δ-cadinene (Grison et al., 2002).
MEDICINAL USES:
Peepal is extensively used in ancestral systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha in the form of
various formulations. The entire parts of the F. religiosa exhibit a wide spectrum of medicinal importance as
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an anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, anthelmintic, antiulcer, antiasthmatic,

anti amnesic etc (Makhija et al., 2010). traditionally, Ficus religiosa is using as folk medicine to treat asthma,
cough, sexual disorders, diarrhea, haematuria, earache and toothache, migraine, eye troubles, gastric
problems and scabies. Leaf decoction possesses analgesic attribute for toothache.

Figure-2: Medicinal Importance of F. religiosa

The stem bark of peepal is practiced to manage gonorrhea, bleeding, paralysis, diabetes, ulcers, various skin
diseases, bone fracture, antiseptic, astringent and antidote (Ripu and Rainer, 2006). Bark's phytosterols are
utilized as powerful central nervous system stimulant (Gupta and Sharma, 2009; Parasharami et al., 2014).
Fruit is laxative and digestive. The fruit powder enhances fertility rate and is used in the treatment of
dysentery, uterine troubles, ulcers, biliousness, bitter tonic, in blood diseases. The ripe fruit is used as tonic,
alexipharmic, suitable for burning sensation, biliousness and diseases of blood and heart (Kirtikar and Basu,
1998; Banskota et al., 2000; De Feudis et al., 2003). Ficus Seeds are laxative and taken during menstruation
in women for a long time.
CONCLUSION:
The world is enriched with a rich wealth of medicinal plants. Universally, there is an expanding concern in
herbal medicines characterized by extended laboratory research into the pharmacological qualities of the
bioactive constituents and their strength to treat various diseases. F. religiosa is branched tree with
heart‐shaped, long‐tipped leaves which are widely used in the Indian system of medicine to cure several
disorders and infections. The present review reveals about F. religiosa that comprises numerous
phytoconstituents and dispenses various pharmacological activities.

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