Brahma’s Banyan
Genus: Ficus
Botanical name: Ficus exasperata
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: karapatra
Hindi:
English: Brahma’s Banyan, Forest sandpaper fig, Rough banyan, Sand paper fig
Malayalam: Theerakam
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Theerakam is a deciduous tree, up to 70 ft tall, native to parts of Africa, Arabian Peninsula and India. The tree has smooth grey bark. Alternately arranged, ovate-elliptic leaves have a very rough surface, making them look like sand paper. Young leaves are often lobed. Sap is sticky, not milky. Figs arise in leaf axils, 1-2 in number. They are spherical or obovoid, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, rough, yellow, orange or red. The figs may still be seen on the tree when it has shed the leaves.
The plant especially the leaf is acclaimed to be a useful traditional medicine in many parts of West Africa. In French Guinea a decoction of leaves is used for stomach problems. In Tanzania the dried flowers are used for stomach problems. In Tanzania, the dried flowers are used for asthma, while the leaves are used to treat tonsil and throat inflammation. In Sierra the leaves are used to treat eruptive skin diseases, vaginal rash and as an abortifacient.