The `Banyan Tree` is amongst those trees that have very extensive branches and thus are very much capable of giving the coolest shade. The biological name of this tree is `Ficus Benghalensists`. According to legends, the name `Banyan` was given to a tree growing in the Persian Gulf, under which some `Banya`s` or Hindu traders had built a pagoda. The Banyan tree grows widely all across the nation.
This tree is a proud member of the `Moraceae` family. The Hindi speaking people call it as `Bargad`, `Bor` or `Ber`. It is known as `Ala` in Tamil, `Petal` in Malayalam and `Mart` or `Pedda-mari` in Telugu. In fact, the `Banyan tree` is such a wide one that even the people of a whole village will be able to settle under it. The origin of the `Banyan Tree` is South and West India and among the sub-Himalayan tracts but it is now found all over the country.
Due to the complex structure of the roots and extensive branching, the banyan is extensively used for creating Bonsai. In Hinduism, the banyan tree is considered sacred and is called "Ashwath Vriksha." God Shiva as Dakshinamurthy is nearly always depicted sitting in silence under the banyan with rishis at His feet. It is thought of as perfectly symbolising eternal life due to its seemingly unending expansion.
The banyan tree has many medicinal properties. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments. The bark and leaf buds of the banyan tree are useful in checking secretion or bleeding. The fruit offers a soothing effect on the skin and mucous membranes, alleviates swelling and pain, and serve as a` mild purgative. It is also nutritious. The leaf buds of the banyan tree are beneficial in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. The buds should be soaked in water` overnight and taken as infusion in the treatment of these diseases. The latex is also useful in treating diarrhoea and dysentery. A few drops of the latex of the banyan tree mixed in milk and taken daily helps to cure bleeding piles. With this treatment, the diet of the patient should contain considerable quantities of green vegetables especially fenugreek and manattakkali or black nightshade leaves. Tender roots of the banyan tree are considered to be beneficial in the treatment of female sterility. These roots should be dried in the shade and finely powdered. This powder should be mixed 5 times its weight, with milk, and taken at night for 3 consecutive nights after menstruation cycle every month till the conception takes place. No other food should be taken along with this.
A regular wash of the genital tract with a decoction of the bark of the banyan tree and the fig tree is helpful in leucorrhoea. A tablespoon each of the powders of the bark of the two trees should be boiled in a litre of water till it is reduced to about half. Douching with the lukewarm decoction will keep the tissues of vaginal tract healthy. Cleaning the teeth with the aerial roots of the banyan is beneficial that prevents teeth and gum disorders. As one chews the stick and brushes, the astringent secretion from the root-stick cleanses and strengthens the teeth and gums. The latex pf this tree is commonly used locally for rheumatism, pain and lumbago. A hot paste of the leaves can be applied with beneficial results to swellings to promote suppuration and to hasten their breaking. The milky juice from the fresh green leaves and is useful in destroying warts. The latex is commonly used locally for sores, ulcers and bruises.
The `Banyan Tree` is an excellent example of what is called an epiphytic growth. Some birds that came to take rest among the leaves of a palm or other tree evict the seed of the tree. The seed germinates here after long roots appear and become thicken and strengthen very soon and ultimately strangle their host. The bark is grey in colour and soft also spotted generally as it flakes off very easily. In the grown-up trees, the trunk never forms like cylinders. Rather, it is a composition of several complex aerial roots. Some clumps of brown `rope` hang from every branch. These ropes ultimately get united and after reaching the ground, they take the root and grow into separate trunks. For this reason only, the tree widens and covers an ever-increasing area. People found one famous specimen of this tree that was reputed to have such great a perimeter of 600 m that almost 20,000 people could shelter within its columned shade.
The leaves of the Banyan Tree are large in size and leathery. Most of them are oval-shaped and dark, glossy green in colour. They are also noticeably pale-veined. The tree also has two large scales that cover the leaf bud. The scales fall when the leaf develops and leave a ring round the stem at the base of the leaf stalk. The young leaves of the tree have an extraordinarily gorgeous reddish shade. Though there are no flowers in the `Banyan Tree`, yet it bears some fruits. The timber of this tree is spongy and not adequately durable to create a great demand. However, the aerial roots provide stronger timber and people use them in making tent-poles. A coarse fiber can be obtained from the bark and young hanging roots, and can be used for making ropes. From the sticky, milky sap, people can make Birdlime and it posses some medicinal properties as well. Not only are these, the leaves of the tree are also used as plates. A poultice can be made from the leaves that can bring relief to abscesses.
