FICUS Ficus spp.
Moraceae
The genus Ficus constitutes an important group of trees with immense medicinal value. It is a
sacred tree of Hindus and Buddhists. Among the varied number of species, the most important ones
are the four trees that constitute the group “Nalpamaram”, namely, F .racemosa, F. microcarpa, F.
benghalensis and F. religiosa (Athi, Ithi, Peral and Arayal respectively).
1. Ficus racemosa Linn. syn. F. glomerata Roxb.
Eng: Cluster fig, Country fig San: Udumbarah, Sadaphalah Hin: Gular, Umar Ben: Jagya
dumur Mal, Tam, Kan: Athi Tel: Udambaramu, Paidi
Gular fig, Cluster fig or Country fig, which is considered sacred, has golden coloured exudate
and black bark. It is distributed all over India. Its roots are useful in treating dysentery. The bark is
useful as a wash for wounds, highly efficacious in threatened abortions and recommended in
uropathy. Powdered leaves mixed with honey are given in vitiated condition of pitta. A decoction of
the leaves is a good wash for wounds and ulcers. Tender fruits (figs) are used in vitiated conditions of
pitta, diarrhoea, dyspepsia and haemorrhages. The latex is administered in haemorrhoids and
diarrhoea (Warrier et al, 1995). The ripe fruits are sweet, cooling and are used in haemoptysis, thirst
and vomiting (Nadkarni, 1954; Aiyer et al, 1957; Moos, 1976). Nalpamaradi coconut oil,
Candanasava, Valiya Arimedastaila, Dinesavalyadi Kuzhambu, Abhrabhasma, Valiya
candanaditaila, etc. are some important preparations using the drug (Sivarajan et al, 1994).
It is a moderate to large-sized spreading laticiferous, deciduous tree without many prominent
aerial roots. Leaves are dark green and ovate or elliptic. Fruit receptacles are 2-5cm in diameter, sub-
globose or pyriform arranged in large clusters on short leafless branches arising from main trunk or
large branches. Figs are smooth or rarely covered with minute soft hairs. When ripe, they are orange,
dull reddish or dark crimson. They have a pleasant smell resembling that of cedar apples. The bark is
rusty brown with a fairly smooth and soft surface, the thickness varying from 0.5-2cm according to
the age of the trunk or bark. Surface is with minute separating flakes of white tissue. Texture is
homogeneously leathery (Warrier et al, 1995).
Stem-bark gives gluanol acetate, β-sitosterol, leucocyanidin- 3 - O-β-D-glucopyrancoside,
leucopelargonidin- 3 - O-β-D-glucopyranoside, leucopelargonidin - 3 - O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, lupeol,
ceryl behenate, lupeol acetate and α-amyrin acetate. Stem- bark is hypoglycaemic and anti-protozoal.
Gall is CVS active. Bark is tonic and used in rinder pest diseases of cattle. Root is antidysenteric and
antidiabetic. Leaf is antibilious. Latex is antidiarrhoeal and used in piles. Bark and syconium is
astringent and used in menorrhagia (Husain et al, 1992).
2. Ficus microcarpa Linn. f. syn. F. retusa auct. Non. Linn.
San: Plaksah; Hin, Ben: Kamarup; Mal: Ithi, Ithiyal; Tam: Kallicci, Icci; Kan: Itti;
Tel: Plaksa
Plaksah is the Ficus species with few branches and many adventitious roots growing
downward. It is widely distributed throughout India and in Sri Lanka, S. China, Ryuku Isles and
Britain. Plakasah is one of the five ingredients of the group panchvalkala i.e, five barks, the
decoction of which is extensively used to clear ulcers and a douche in leucorrhoea in children. This
decoction is administered externally and internally with satisfactory results. Plaksah is acclaimed as
cooling, astringent, and curative of raktapitta doshas, ulcers, skin diseases, burning sensation,
inflammation and oedema. It is found to have good healing property and is used in preparation of oils
and ointments for external application in the treatment of ulcers (Aiyer and Kolammal, 1957). The
stem-bark is used to prepare Usirasava, Gandhataila, Nalpamaradi taila, Valiya marmagulika, etc.
(Sivarajan et al, 1994). The bark and leaves are used in wounds, ulcers, bruises, flatulent colic,
hepatopathy, diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, hyperdipsia, burning sensation, haemaorrhages,
erysipelas, dropsy, ulcerative stomatitis, haemoptysis, psychopathy, leucorrhoea and coporrhagia
(Warrier et al,1995)
F. microcarpa is a large glabrous evergreen tree with few aerial roots. Leaves are short-
petioled, 5-10cm long, 2-6cm wide and apex shortly and bluntly apiculate or slightly emarginate. Main
lateral nerves are not very prominent and stipules are lanceolate. Fruit receptacles are sessile and
globose occurring in axillary pairs. It is yellowish when ripe without any characteristic smell. Bark is
dark grey or brown with a smooth surface except for the lenticels. Outer bark is corky and
crustaceous thin and firmly adherent to inner tissue. Inner bark is light and flesh coloured with
firbrous texture (Warrier et al, 1995). It is also equated with many other species of the genus. viz. F.