🌳 Peepal (Pippalaḥ / पिप्पलः)

Botanical Name: Ficus religiosa Linn.
Family: Moraceae
English Name: Sacred Fig / Peepal Tree
Part Used: Bark, Leaves, Fruits, Latex, Roots

1. Synonyms (पर्यायवाची नाम / Synonyms with Meaning)

Sanskrit Synonyms:
बोधिद्रुः (Bodhidruh), पिप्पलः (Pippalah), अश्वत्थः (Aśvatthaḥ), चलपत्रः (Chalapatraḥ), गजाशनः (Gajāśanaḥ)

Etymological Meanings:

• बोधिद्रुः (Bodhidruh): The sacred tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment (bodhi).
• पिप्पलः (Pippalah): Derived from “पल् गतौ” — means that which moves, referring to its continuously trembling leaves.
• अश्वत्थः (Aśvatthaḥ): “Where horses rest” — horses often stand under it for shade.
• चलपत्रः (Chalapatraḥ): “With moving leaves” — due to long slender petioles, leaves quiver even in gentle wind.
• गजाशनः (Gajāśanaḥ): “Eaten by elephants” — elephants are fond of its leaves.

2. Regional Names (प्रादेशिक नाम / Regional Names)

3. Botanical Description (वनस्पति विवरण / Botanical Description)

• Botanical Name: Ficus religiosa Linn.
• Family: Moraceae
• Habitat: Common throughout India; sacred and often found near temples.
• Nature: Large, glabrous, deciduous tree; epiphytic when young with spreading branches.
• Height: Up to 30 meters.
• Bark: Smooth, light grey to brown, exudes milky latex when cut.
• Leaves: Broadly ovate, long-tipped, glossy, and pendulous. Long petioles cause constant leaf movement even in mild breeze.
• Fruits: Small, sessile, axillary pairs; depressed globose; green when unripe and turn purple or black when ripe.
• Flowers: Minute, unisexual, contained within the fig-like receptacle.
• Root: Aerial roots develop from branches and reach the ground.

🪷 Special Note:
Peepal is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — symbolizing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It is worshipped as Kalpavriksha, the “wish-fulfilling tree.”
It is also a pollution-tolerant species, used for reducing air pollution and improving environmental quality around industrial areas.

4. Chemical Constituents (रासायनिक संघटक / Chemical Constituents)

From Bark:

• β-Sitosteryl-D-glucoside
• Vitamin K
• n-Octacosanol
• Methyl oleonate
• Lanosterol
• Stigmasterol
• Lupen-3-one
• From Fruits:
• 4.9% Protein (rich in isoleucine & phenylalanine)
• Dietary fibers with hypocholesterolemic activity
• Phytosterols
• From Latex:
• Proteolytic enzymes
• Resins and Caoutchouc
• Pharmacological Findings:
• Chloroform extract of fruits: Exhibits anti-tumor and anti-bacterial activities.
• Aqueous bark extract: Bacteriostatic against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
• References:
• Ayurvedic Treatise Vol. 1, p. 46–47
• Wealth of India, Supplement Vol. III, p. 131

5. Properties & Therapeutic Uses (गुण, कर्म एवं औषधीय उपयोग)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Pittashleshmahara – Alleviates pitta and kapha doshas.
• Raktapittaghna – Useful in bleeding disorders.
• Vrana-shodhaka – Cleanses wounds and ulcers.
• Mutrasangrahaniya – Reduces excessive urination.
• Yoni-shodhana – Purifies the female reproductive tract.
• Varnya – Enhances complexion.
• Kashaya rasa – Useful in healing, inflammation, and tissue repair.

6. Therapeutic Uses (औषधीय प्रयोग)

• Vomiting & Hiccup:
• The ash of bark, dissolved in water and decanted, is administered to relieve vomiting and hiccups.
• Gonorrhoea & Urinary Disorders:
• Decoction of bark helps relieve inflammation of urinary tract and gonorrhoea.
• Wound Healing:
• Decoction of bark or Panchavalkala (combination of barks of five trees: Peepal, Banyan, Udumbara, etc.) used for washing wounds.
• Female Genital Disorders:
• Bark decoction used as yoni prakshalana (vaginal douche) to purify and heal genital infections.
• Antibacterial:
• Bark extract acts against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli infections.
• Bleeding Disorders:
• Bark decoction used internally to control raktapitta (epistaxis, bleeding gums).
• Anti-inflammatory & Cooling:
• Useful in burning sensation, ulcers, and pitta-related conditions.

7. Dosage (मात्रा एवं उपयोग विधि)

   Bark Powder (Churna)
   3–5 g twice daily with honey or water

   Fruit Powder
   5–10 g daily

8. Classical References

• Charaka Samhita (Sū. Ch. 4): Mentioned in Mutrasangrahaniya Mahakashaya
• Charaka (Vi. Ch. 8): Included in Kashaya Skandha
• Sushruta Samhita (Su. Ch. 38): Part of Nyagrodhādi Gana

9. Modern Research & Environmental Value

• Anti-tumor, Anti-bacterial, Hypocholesterolemic, and Wound-healing properties validated in studies.
• Environmental Role: Excellent air purifier, reduces noise and ambient temperature; suitable for urban plantation.
• Ecological Importance: Host plant for the lac insect (Laccifer lacca), used in natural resin production.

🌿 Conclusion

Peepal (Pippalaḥ) is both a sacred and medicinal tree, deeply integrated in Indian culture and Ayurveda.
Its bark, leaves, fruits, and latex offer therapeutic value in skin, urinary, bleeding, and inflammatory disorders.
It is a pitta-kapha pacifier, coolant, astringent, and rejuvenating — truly a "Kalpavriksha" (Tree of Life) of Ayurveda.

Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu