Peepal (Ficus religiosa)

Family: Moraceae
English Names: Sacred Fig, Bodhi Tree
Common Names:

Classical Classification

Text	Group
Charaka	Kasahara, Shirovirechanopaga, Kandughna
Sushruta	Nyagrodhadi Gana
Bhavaprakasha	Vatadi Varga

🔗 Reference (Bhavaprakash Nighantu):
Ashwattha Adhikara

अश्वत्थो वारुणो वटः पर्णाशोकः स्थूलवृक्षकैः |
रक्तपित्तज्वरहराः शीतलाः कषायमाधुर्यकाः ||

Botanical Description

Growth Habit: Large deciduous tree, up to 30 meters
Leaves: Heart-shaped with long petiole and extended tip
Fruits: Small figs, green when unripe, turn purple on ripening
Bark: Grey, smooth, peels in flakes
Habitat: Throughout India, especially near temples; native to Indian subcontinent
Flowering/Fruiting: February to May

Ayurvedic Pharmacology

Rasa (Taste)	Guna (Quality)	Veerya (Potency)	Vipaka (Post-digestive Taste)	Prabhava (Specific Action)	Doshaghnata (Effect on Doshas)
Kashaya (Astringent), Madhura (Sweet)	Guru (Heavy), Ruksha (Dry)	Sheeta (Cold)	Katu (Pungent)	–	Tridoshaghna, especially Pitta-Kapha pacifying

Chemical Constituents

Therapeutic Uses (Indications)

Condition	Form/Usage
Raktapitta (Bleeding disorders)	Bark decoction internally or applied locally
Prameha (Diabetes)	Powder of bark and leaves
Vrana (Wounds)	Bark paste or decoction as wound wash
Shvasa/Kasa (Asthma/Cough)	Tender leaf juice with honey
Atisara (Diarrhea)	Decoction of bark or unripe fruit
Vatarakta (Gout/Arthritis)	Bark decoction
Stambha (Spermatorrhea)	Fruit powder with sugar

Dosage

Useful Parts

Ayurvedic Formulations