Interactions with the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, India, specialized in use of Pipal (Ficus religiosa) as medicine

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Like Bar (Ficus benghalensis), the air purification properties of Pipal tree are also mentioned in ancient Indian literatures and the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh are aware of this fact since generations. This is the reason that the natives preferably plant this herb in home gardens. It is common belief among them that the Pipal tree should be planted in west direction. According to them, the tree planted in north direction can cause great harm to families. They are unable to give scientific explanations but I am confident that there must be some scientific reasons behind this belief. Pipal is a long or medium-sized tree grown as an avenue tree. It is a sacred tree of Hindus and Buddhists. The village names, Piprahi, Piperbandha etc, based on this herb clearly proves that Pipal is presence in Chhattisgarh since generations. During my ethnobotanical surveys in these villages, I have noted that the natives and traditional healers of these villages have rich traditional knowledge about various uses of Pipal. Like Bar, Pipal tree is a common feature of any typical Chhattisgarh village. As it is big tree, the natives in urban areas plant Bonsai Pipal tree in their home gardens. The natives informed me about the benefits of taking bath under the Pipal tree. This was new information for me. I have written a lot on "Tree shade therapy ". The natives of rural areas associate Pipal tree with Bhoot (ghost) and according to them, this tree is home of ghosts. This is the reason that during night time, they hesitate to go near these trees. The natives also informed that in general, no insect attack on this tree and this is the only tree, having capable of resisting insect attacks. I am not aware of insects of Pipal but I have utilized this information in organic farming. With the help of organic herb growers of Chhattisgarh, we are using the aqueous extract of Pipal in combination with other herbs as insect repellent successfully particularly in Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens) and Kasturi Bhendi (Abelmoschus moschatus) crops. We are also studying its effects on wonder crop Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum). Through this article, I would like to request the researchers working in the field of organic farming to study the alleopathic effects of different parts of this tree on different crops, insects and pathogens, as it is boon for organic growers. In present article, I am describing the results of my ethnobotanical surveys conducted in Chhattisgarh plains. At first I am describing its botany and reported medicinal uses. Botanically Pipal is a large, irregularly shaped tree with well-developed crown, short trunk and spreading branches, epiphytic when young, evergreen or nearly so, becoming leafless for a short period in dry localities. The trunk is irregularly shaped, often with low buttresses; Dark gray with brownish specks, smooth, exfoliating in irregular rounded flakes; leaves alternate, broadly ovate, coriaceous, shining above, pink when young, margins entire, main lateral nerves 6-8 pairs with finely reticulate venation, apex produced into a linear-lanceolate tail; fruits are in pairs, axillary, sessile, smooth, about 13 mm diameters, dark purple when ripe, basal bracts three, broad, round. As medicine roots, barks, leaves and fruit of Pipal are used. According to Ayurveda, all parts are cooking and useful in treatment of blood disorder, diseases of vagina and uterus, leucorrhaea, burning sensation, biliousness, ulcers. Ripe fruit is alexipharmic and good for foul taste, thirst, heart diseases, whereas roots are good for gout. Root barks good in stomatitis, cleans ulcers, astringent in leucorrhoea, promote granulations. Seeds are useful in urinary troubles. According to Unani system of medicine, root bark is aphrodisiac, good for lumbago, bark useful in inflammations. Fruits are purgative, aphrodisiac and checks vomiting.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use the twigs of Pipal very frequently in case of snake bite. I have seen its use practically. Along with other herbal combinations given internally, the twigs are cut into small pieces and entered into the ear near the ear drum. The patient shouts very loudly. The twig is kept nearer to drum without touching it. The healers informed that the drum forcefully attract the twig but they keep it firmly. This forceful attraction is indication that the snake is poisonous. According to healers, twigs inside ear prevents the drowsiness and also help the patient to remain conscious. Although they also claim that it reduces the effect of venom but I am still not much convinced. Alone Pipal twigs are not capable of treating the patients. It is used as supplement. I personally feel that there is a need for systematic research for further confirmation. The healers also use the decoction prepared by mixing Pipal and Bar Chhal (Bark) in equal quantities. It is used as mouthwash. According to them, the regular use cures the problem of decayed teeth. This use is also popular among the natives. Like Neem leaves, the healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, suggest the natives to eat daily five leaves upto one month in a year, in order to get free from all related troubles whole year. But the natives use Neem leaves more frequently as compared to Pipal leaves. The healers informed me that the Neem leaves are not suitable for everyone. According to them, regular use may develop the symptoms of sterlity in users. But Pipal leaves are relatively safer, and even at overdoses it donot harm the users. I have yet not got this specific information in reference literatures. The healers further told me that as no pest species attack of diseases in human body. It is one of the nature’s valuable gifts. As female tonic and also as preventive, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains suggest the female patients to use the leaves of Pipal with cow milk regularly, both during attack and disease free time. They instruct them to boil the leaf in milk and drink it, once in a day. As many home remedies are available to reduce or eliminate the problem of Hichki (Hiccup) but in case of severe attack the traditional healers recommend the ash of Pipal bark with fresh water most frequently. The healers, in general, burn the barks, collect the ash and store in for future use.

The above mentioned uses are unique traditional uses and most of them have not been reported in reference literatures. I have written a lot of other uses in my previous articles. This article is a supplement to those articles. As the results of my surveys will come it will write more on this useful herb.

Thank you very much for reading the article.