ARAYAL ( അരയാൽ)
Scientific Name ¦- Ficus
religiosa Linn.
Family ¦- Moraceae
Vernacular Names ¦–
English ¦- Sacred fig,
Peepal tree
Malayalam ¦- Arayal
Hindi ¦- Pippal
Sanskrit ¦- Asvatthah,
Pippalah
Bengali ¦– Asvatha
Gujarat ¦– Jari
Kannada ¦– Aswatha
Punjabi ¦– Pipal
Tamil ¦– Arasu
Telungu ¦– Ravi
Distribution and Habitat
¦-
It is common throughout India, often planted in the vicinity of the
temples.
Chemical Constituents ¦- Bark gives
beta-sitosterol and its D-glucoside,. Stem bark contain vitamin K,
stigmasterol, phytosterolin and 4% of tannin. Leaves have protein and amino
acids.
Parts Used ¦- Stem bark,
Leaves and young shoots, flower, Fruits and Latex
Properties ¦- Bark is
hypoglycaemic, antidermatic, antiinflammatory. Stem bark is antiprotozoal,
anthelmintic and antiviral. Bark is astringent, antigonorrheic, febrifuge,
aphrodisiac and antidysenteric. Syconium, leaf and young shoot are purgative.
Fruits are laxative and digestive. Seeds are refrigerant and laxative.
Uses ¦- It is used in
the treatment of gonorrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids and
gastrohelcosis. A paste of the powdered bark is a good absorbent for
inflammatory swellings. It is also good for burns. Leaves and tender shoots
have purgative properties and are also recommended for wounds and skin
diseases. The dried fruit pulverized and taken in water cures asthma. The latex
is good for neuralgia, inflammations and haemorrhages
Formulations ¦- Nalpamaradi
taila, Saribadyasava, Candanasava, Karnasulantaka, Valiyamarma gulika etc
Botany ¦- Peepel tree
or sacred fig is a large deciduous tree with few or no aerial roots, frequently
epiphytal. Leaves leathery, broadly ovate, entire, undulate, tip narrowed into
a linear, tail like point, petiolate, petiole 7.5-10 cm long. Male flowers few,
only near the mouth of the some receptacles, sessile. Gall and fertile flowers
sessile or pedicellate, the gall flowers much more numerous than the fertile
females and many of with out perianth. Figs axillary, sessile, in pairs,
globose, slightly vertically flattened, 12 mm in diameter, dark purple when
ripe.
Agro Techonology ¦–
Soil and Climate ¦– Deep,
alluvial sandy loam with good drainage. The annual rainfall requirement for
this species is 500 mm to 5000 mm during the monsoon season. The maximum
temperature is 46ºC, while the minimum seldom goes below freezing point.
Propagation ¦– seeds, stump
or branch cuttings and wildlings
Sowing ¦– Ripe fruits
are collected, rubbed and washed to get clean seed which is dried under sun
before fresh sowing or storage. Seed is dibbed in poly bags or broadcasted on
seed beds either in March-April or June-July and lightly covered with thin
soil.
Transplanting ¦– Rooted
cuttings are to be transplanted to prepared pits.
Manure ¦– No regular
manuring is required. Irrigation is not a must as a plant is hardy.
Irrigations ¦– Irrigation is
done at regular intervals.
Plant protection ¦– The plant is
not attacked by any serious pests or diseases.
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