Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Ashwattha

Ficus religiosa L.

Ashwattha (Ficus religiosa L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Moraceae family. coli, and Candida albicans validated via disc diffusion and MIC assays Listed in WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy as a plant used in traditional medicine systems; included in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

Key facts
Botanical nameFicus religiosa L.
FamilyMoraceae · other entries in this family
OrderRosales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy as a plant used in traditional medicine systems; included in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. No specific WHO monograph dedicated to F. religiosa as of 2025.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5361935 · Wikidata Q3071706 · NCBI Taxonomy 66387

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAshwattha
Latin/BotanicalFicus religiosa L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Antidiabetic action through alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition by flavonoids and phenolics
  • Anti-inflammatory activity via COX-2 inhibition and suppression of NF-kB signaling by bergapten and quercetin
  • Neuroprotective effects through acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant-mediated reduction of oxidative neuronal damage
  • Wound healing via promotion of fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and angiogenesis

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Antidiabetic activity confirmed in multiple in vivo studies showing significant blood glucose reduction in alloxan-induced diabetic models
  • Wound healing properties validated through preclinical studies demonstrating accelerated epithelialization and increased tensile strength
  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects confirmed in carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid-induced writhing models
  • Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Candida albicans validated via disc diffusion and MIC assays

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Oral supplementation of leaf extract at high doses adversely affected behavioral aspects in male albino mice models; dose-dependent caution recommended
  • Generally regarded as safe in traditional therapeutic doses; no significant acute toxicity reported in standard pharmacological studies up to 2000 mg/kg in rodent models

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Stigmasterol
  • Sitosterol
  • Lanosterol
  • Bergapten
  • Bergenin
  • Quercetin
  • Myricetin
  • Kaempferol

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Twak Kwatha (bark decoction), Ghana Vati, Kshirapaka (bark boiled in milk)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g bark powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg-1g extract capsule; fruit powder 3-5g

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability. Ficus religiosa bark contains bergapten (~45% bioavailability), phytosterols (moderate absorption, enhanced by bile salts), and tannins. Leaf serotonin content is notable but oral serotonin is largely degraded by MAO in gut wall and liver. Bark sterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol) show 5-10% absorption, enhanced by co-administration with lecithin. Coumarin compounds are well absorbed.

Optimal Timing: Bark decoction morning and evening for diabetes and wounds. Fruit powder with honey before meals. Kshirapaka at bedtime.

Standardized Extract: Bark extract standardized to minimum 2% bergapten and minimum 3% beta-sitosterol. Total phenolic content minimum 15%. Leaf extract (research grade) with documented serotonin content.

Shelf Life: 2 years (bark powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 5 years (Ghana Vati)

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C. Airtight containers. Bark stores well due to high tannin content (natural preservative effect).

Marker Compounds: Bergapten, Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Lanosterol, n-Octacosanol, Leucoanthocyanidin, Leucocyanidin, Phytol, Serotonin (leaves)

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (1:8, reduced to 1/4)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for flavonoid and tannin enrichment
  • Methanol extraction for phenolic profiling
  • Kshirapaka for lipophilic constituent extraction

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Udumbara (Ficus glomerata) and Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis) in Panchavalkala Kwatha
  • With Lodhra for wound healing
  • With Ashoka for female reproductive disorders
  • With Haridra for anti-diabetic applications

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews6

  1. Chen M, Liu J, Zou S and others. 2025. A review on the ethnopharmacology, metabolites, pharmacological uses, and toxicology of Ficus hirta (Moraceae) VahlFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 40385474 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1545348
  2. Rawat R, Kumar H, Singh N and others. 2024. Comprehensive review on ethnomedicinal, phytochemistry and pharmacological profile ofJournal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan. PMID 39380237 · doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2024.05.012
  3. Shim KH, Sharma N, An SSA. 2022. Mechanistic Insights into the Neuroprotective Potential of Sacred Ficus TreesNutrients. PMID 36432418 · doi:10.3390/nu14224731
  4. Murugesu S, Selamat J, Perumal V. 2021. Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, and Recent Applications of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosaPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34961220 · doi:10.3390/plants10122749
  5. Perera WPRT, Liyanage JA, Dissanayake KGC and others. 2021. Antiviral Potential of Selected Medicinal Herbs and Their Isolated Natural ProductsBioMed research international. PMID 34926691 · doi:10.1155/2021/7872406
  6. Singh D, Singh B, Goel RK. 2011. Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ficus religiosa: a reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 21296646 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.01.046

Laboratory and animal studies6

  1. Massand AB, Rai AR, Blossom V and others. 2024. Ethanolic extract of Ficus religiosa leaves alleviates aluminum-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and neuroinflammation in rat brainVeterinary world. PMID 39507794 · doi:10.14202/vetworld.2024.2088-2095
  2. Ahmad S, Daud Ali M, Alotibi AM and others. 2023. Phytochemical profiling and anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity of Ficus religiosa L. and molecular docking study against iNOS, TNF-α enzymePakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 37869923
  3. Ashalatha KL, Arunkumar KP, Gowda M. 2023. Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of sacred fig (Ficus religiosa)BMC genomics. PMID 37046210 · doi:10.1186/s12864-023-09270-z
  4. Baliyan S, Mukherjee R, Priyadarshini A and others. 2022. Determination of Antioxidants by DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity and Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis of Ficus religiosaMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35209118 · doi:10.3390/molecules27041326
  5. Aryal B, Niraula P, Khadayat K and others. 2021. Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, and Molecular Profiling of Selected Medicinal PlantsEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 34040646 · doi:10.1155/2021/5510099
  6. Yadav YC, Srivastava DN. 2013. Nephroprotective and curative effects of Ficus religiosa latex extract against cisplatin-induced acute renal failurePharmaceutical biology. PMID 23870082 · doi:10.3109/13880209.2013.793718

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