वट

• Botanical Name: Ficus benghalensis
• Family: Moraceae
• Synonyms: Indian Banyan, Strangler Fig, Ficus indica
• Vernacular Name: Commonly known as “Bargad” or “Vat Vriksha” in Hindi, “Banyan Tree” in English, and “Aal” in Tamil.
• Classification: A large, evergreen tree belonging to the Moraceae family.
• Habitat: Native to the Indian subcontinent, it thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. It is commonly found in monsoon and rainforest areas, as well as in urban landscapes.
• Morphology: A massive tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall. It has a wide, spreading canopy and produces aerial roots that descend from the branches to form additional trunks. The leaves are large, leathery, and ovate, while the figs are small, round, and reddish when ripe.
• Useful Parts: Bark, leaves, aerial roots, and figs.
• Chemical Composition: Contains tannins, flavonoids, sterols, and triterpenoids. The latex is rich in bioactive compounds like ficin and ficusin.
• Pharmacological Action: Known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, and wound-healing properties. It is used in traditional medicine for treating diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, and respiratory disorders.
• Formulation:  Used in Ayurvedic preparations like Nyagrodhadi Churna and herbal decoctions for digestive and skin health. The aerial roots and bark are also used in poultices and pastes.

Rasa: Kashya

Guna: Laghu , Ruksha

Virya: Sheeta

Vipaka: Katu