Peepal Tree: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction

The peepal tree is considered the mythical ‘Tree of Life’ or ‘World Tree’ in the Indian subcontinent. It is also called Ficus religiosa, belonging to the family Moraceae, and is a variation of the fig tree known as the bodhi tree. The word ‘Ficus’ in Latin refers to ‘fig’, the fruit of the tree, and the word ‘Religiosa’ refers to ‘religion’, as it is sacred in both Buddhism and Hinduism¹. Also, for this reason, it is named ‘Sacred fig’. It is a huge tree often planted near holy places and temples.

The vernacular names of peepal trees are Pipal, Pipala in Hindi; Jari, Piplo, Pipalo, Piparo in Gujarati; Pimpal, Pipal, Pippal in Marathi; Ashud, Ashvattha, Asvattha in Bengali; Aswatha in Oriya; Ahant in Assamese; Pippal, Pipal in Punjabi; Ravichettu in Telugu; Arara, Arasu, Arasan, Ashwarthan, Arasamaram in Tamil; Ranji, Arlo, Basri, Ashwatha, Ashvatthanara, Aralegida, Aralimara, Basari, Ashvathamara, Ashvattha in Kannada; Arayal in Malayalam; Bad in Kashmiri.

Traditionally, the leaf juice of the peepal tree may be helpful for cough, asthma, diarrhoea, ear pain, toothache, haematuria (blood in urine), migraine, scabies, eye troubles, and gastric problems. The stem bark of the peepal tree might help with paralysis, gonorrhea, bone fractures, diarrhoea, and diabetes. However, more studies are required to prove the potential use of benefits for the purposes mentioned above. Furthermore, it should not be used for self-medication.

Nutritional Value of Peepal Tree

The nutritional composition of parts of the peepal tree (per 100 g) is³:

In my practice, I have observed that the methanolic extract of Peepal stem bark has shown an inhibitory effect on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Since this enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of the chemical acetylcholine. This suggests that it may have potential benefits in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, which is important for memory and cognitive function⁵.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Properties of Peepal Tree

The Peepal tree might have the following therapeutic properties²:

• Anti-diabetic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Analgesic (pain-relieving)
• Anticonvulsant
• Antimicrobial
• Wound-healing
• Memory-supportive (anti-amnesic)
• Anti-ulcer
• Anti-Parkinson
• Anti-asthmatic
• Kidney-protective

Potential Uses of Peepal Tree

Peepal trees might have the following potential uses for human health:

1. For Digestive Health

• Severe intolerable stomach pain may be relieved by drinking the bark’s decoction with jaggery and salt.
•  An enema (fluid used to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of the stomach) prepared from the tree’s sprouts, cooked in milk and filtered, may help with dysentery (severe diarrhoea). 
• Repeated and severe vomiting might be relieved using the tree’s inner bark. The bark is dried in the shade and further finely powdered. This is mixed with honey and is considered to ease vomiting due to Kapha. 
• Burnt peepal bark is dipped in water for cooling and used to satisfy uncontrollable thirst traditionally. 
• The leaves of the peepal tree may have laxative properties (eases the passage of stool). The raw juice of its leaves or powdered dried leaves in water can be taken².

However, more studies are required to prove such claims. Kindly ensure that you consult a doctor as such conditions should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

2. For Heart Health

• The leaves of the peepal tree might be helpful for heart diseases. The leaves are soaked in water, distilled (purified by heating), and stored. It may help with heart weakness and palpitations (feeling that the heart is racing)⁴. 

However, more research is required to prove the use of peepal trees for the heart. Conditions of the heart are serious. Therefore, you should consult a doctor. Only a doctor should diagnose and treat heart diseases.

3. For Joint Pain and Fever

• The peepal tree might be effective in fever due to its potential cooling nature. It might also be helpful for rheumatism (inflammation and pain of the joints)². The bark of the peepal tree is cooked in water, filtered, and taken with honey as and when prescribed by an Ayurvedic physician under their supervision. 

Kindly do not use it for self-medication.

4. For Respiratory Issues

• The powder form of the dried fruit with water may help with asthma. 
• The powder may also be helpful with honey to relieve cough. It is also thought to make the voice melodious and sweet. 
• Its powder with butter might help deal with whooping cough in children². 

However, more studies are required to prove such claims. Kindly ensure that you consult a doctor as such conditions should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

5. For Skin Problems

• The decoction (concentrated solution obtained after boiling or heating) of peepal bark might help deal with itching or eczema (a condition where the patches of skin become inflamed and rough)². 
• The paste (bark and water) may help deal with skin eruptions. 
• The bark powder might have a potential use along with sesame oil for wounds. 

However, more research is required to prove the potential uses of peepal trees for the skin. Therefore, kindly consult a doctor.

6. For Oral Health

• A cold infusion or decoction of the bark might help to strengthen the gums and might help with toothaches. 
• The paste of powdered bark and tender leaves with honey may have potential use for mouth ulcers in growing children. 

However, more research is required to prove such claims. Therefore, you should consult a doctor.

7. For Ear Problems

• Tender young peepal leaves may help with ear-related problems. Your Ayurvedic physician might suggest that you take some tender young peepal leaves, grind them, and cook them in some sesame oil over a low flame. A small quantity of this oil might be helpful for ear pain. 

However, make sure that you consult a doctor before putting anything in your ear. Please do not self-medicate. Kindly consult a doctor as ear problems can be serious.

Though there are studies that show the potential uses of peepal trees in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of peepal trees on human health.  

In my experience, I have observed that Ficus religiosa latex has shown hepatoprotective effects in cases of liver injury induced by cisplatin. It helped in reducing the elevated levels of liver enzymes and improving the liver cell degeneration, inflammation, and necrosis. This suggests that Ficus religiosa latex may have potential benefits in protecting the liver from drug-induced damage⁵.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

How to Use

Peepal tree can be used as:

• Powdered dried leaves
• Powdered dried bark
• Dried fruit
• Raw leaves juice
• Decoction of bark

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.

Side Effects of Peepal Tree

There is a need for more research to ascertain the potential use and side effects of peepal trees. It might have unknown side effects. Therefore, it is advised to consult your doctor before taking parts of the peepal tree.

Based on my experience, I have observed that the methanolic extract of Ficus religiosa bark may exhibit a potent anti-parasitic effect. This anti-parasitic effect of the methanolic extract of Ficus religiosa bark may be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds within the extract. These compounds are likely to have properties that are toxic or detrimental to the parasites, leading to their lethality⁵.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Precautions to Take With Peepal Tree

General precautions should be followed before taking parts of the peepal tree, especially by pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children, and elderly individuals. Therefore, before taking the powdered bark or any other part of the tree, it is advisable to consult your doctor. Kindly do not self-medicate, alter, replace, or discontinue any ongoing treatment by yourself.

Interactions With Other Drugs

Parts of the peepal tree might have unknown interactions with drugs. There is insufficient data regarding interactions with other drugs. Therefore, there is a need for more studies to be conducted. You should consult a doctor before using parts of the peepal tree for its benefits. You should also ensure to disclose the current medications being used so that the doctor can have a clear picture and provide accurate guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Sandeep, Kumar A, Dimple, Tomer V, Gat Y, Kumar V. Ficus religiosa: A wholesome medicinal tree. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2018;7(4):32–37. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326127150_Ficus_religiosa_A_wholesome_medicinal_tree
2. Sonawane R, Shivsharan U, Mehta SA. Ficus religiosa (Peepal): A phytochemical and pharmacological review. Int J Pharm Chem Sci. 2015;4(3):360–370. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376047496_Ficus_Religiosa_Peepal_A_Phytochemical_and_Pharmacological_Review
3. Sandeep, Kumar A, Dimple, Tomer V, Gat Y, Kumar V. Ficus religiosa: A wholesome medicinal tree. J Pharmacogn Phytochem [Internet]. 2018;7(4):32–7. Available from: https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2018.v7.i4.4868/ltemgtficus-religiosaltemgt-a-wholesome-medicinal-tree 
4. Patil P, Barsagade P, Umekar MJ. A review on Ficus religiosa: an alternative treatment for heart blockage. Sch Acad J Pharm. 2020 Mar;9(3):108–119. doi:10.36347/sajp.2020.v09i03.002. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341677694_A_Review_on_Ficus_Religiosa_an_Alternative_Treatment_for_Heart_Blockage
5. Al-Snafi AE. Pharmacology of Ficus religiosa – a review. IOSR J Pharm. 2017 Mar;7(3):49–60. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315125259_Pharmacology_of_Ficus_religiosa-A_review

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

29

21