Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Nyagrodha

Ficus benghalensis L.

Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Moraceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP).

Key facts
Botanical nameFicus benghalensis L.
FamilyMoraceae · other entries in this family
OrderRosales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP). Not included in WHO Selected Medicinal Plants monographs. National tree of India with recognized medicinal value in AYUSH systems.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5361919 · Wikidata Q1405636 · NCBI Taxonomy 309271

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishNyagrodha
Latin/BotanicalFicus benghalensis L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Antidiabetic activity through leucocyanidin-mediated beta-cell regeneration and enhancement of insulin secretion
  • Hypolipidemic effects via inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase and upregulation of hepatic LDL receptors
  • Anti-inflammatory action through suppression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and prostaglandin synthesis
  • Immunomodulatory activity via enhancement of macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte proliferation

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Antidiabetic use confirmed through multiple in vivo studies demonstrating significant hypoglycemic activity
  • Anti-diarrheal and dysentery treatment validated via castor oil-induced diarrhea models and antimicrobial testing
  • Wound healing confirmed through excision wound models with accelerated closure and collagen synthesis
  • Analgesic properties validated in hot plate and tail flick animal models

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

  • Acute toxicity studies showed LD50 > 2000 mg/kg in rodent models, indicating a wide safety margin at therapeutic doses
  • Latex consumption in large quantities may cause gastrointestinal irritation; should be used cautiously during pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulant effects

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Leucocyanidin
  • Friedelin
  • Sitosterol
  • Phytosterols
  • Quercetin
  • Rutin
  • Bengalinoside
  • Leucopelargonidin

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Kwatha (bark decoction), Churna (bark powder), Capsule, Tablet, Lepa (paste), Vaginal pessary, Mouthwash, Ointment

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark powder daily; 20-40 mL bark decoction twice daily; 500 mg - 1 g standardized extract twice daily; topical paste as directed

Bioavailability: Leucocyanidin and leucopelargonidin (dimeric flavonoids) from banyan bark show limited oral bioavailability (10-20%) due to large molecular size and hydrolysis by gut microflora. Tannins provide local GI tract effects (astringent, anti-diarrheal) without requiring systemic absorption. Beta-sitosterol has oral bioavailability of 5-10% and benefits from micellar solubilization or phytosome technology.

Optimal Timing: Bark decoction: morning and evening, between meals. For diabetes management: 30 minutes before meals. Topical applications: as needed, clean wound area first.

Standardized Extract: Nyagrodha bark extract (8:1) standardized to total tannins >15% (as tannic acid), leucocyanidin >2%, beta-sitosterol >1%. Aqueous extract with validated phenolic profile by HPLC.

Shelf Life: Dried bark: 24-36 months; Bark powder: 18-24 months; Standardized extract: 24-36 months; Tablets/Capsules: 24-36 months

Storage: Dried bark and powder: cool, dry place below 25 deg C, RH <55%, in airtight containers. Extracts: protected from light, below 25 deg C. Use HPMC capsules rather than gelatin to avoid tannin-gelatin interaction.

Marker Compounds: Leucocyanidin, Leucopelargonidin, Beta-sitosterol, Friedelin, Beta-sitosterol glucoside, Tannic acid, Gallic acid, Bengalenoside

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (traditional Kwatha)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Acetone-water extraction for proanthocyanidins
  • Cold maceration for tannin-rich extracts
  • Hot water extraction with spray drying for powdered extract

Synergistic Combinations

  • Ashoka (uterine tonic combination)
  • Lodhra (gynecological formulations, leucorrhea)
  • Udumbara (anti-hemorrhagic synergy)
  • Kutaja (anti-diarrheal combination)
  • Yashtimadhu (wound healing paste)

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 reviews5

  1. Ali Z, Awlqadr FH, Ali U and others. 2026. Pharmacological and Phytochemical Insights Into Ficus benghalensis (Indian Banyan): Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Anticancer PotentialsFood science & nutrition. PMID 42255707 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.71982
  2. Sahu AK, Dinesh D, Verma VK and others. 2024. Therapeutic potential of Ficus benghalensis in thromboembolic disordersJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 39106616 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100929
  3. Batalova AY, Krutovsky KV. 2023. Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Longevity in Forest TreesInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 37373550 · doi:10.3390/ijms241210403
  4. Shim KH, Sharma N, An SSA. 2022. Mechanistic Insights into the Neuroprotective Potential of Sacred Ficus TreesNutrients. PMID 36432418 · doi:10.3390/nu14224731
  5. 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

Laboratory and animal studies7

  1. Narayanaperumal S, Divakaran D, Suyambulingam I and others. 2024. Extraction of microcrystalline cellulose from Ficus benghalensis leaf and its characterizationInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 39094858 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134394
  2. Yadav S, Rani N, Saini K. 2023. Coupling ZnO with CuO for efficient organic pollutant removalEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 36414902 · doi:10.1007/s11356-022-24139-6
  3. Rauf A, Ibrahim M, Muhammad N and others. 2022. Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Extracts and Carpachromene from the Stem of Ficus benghalensisBioMed research international. PMID 36582600 · doi:10.1155/2022/7053655
  4. Madiwalar VS, Dwivedi PSR, Patil A and others. 2022. Ficus benghalensis promotes the glucose uptake- Evidence with in silico and in vitroJournal of diabetes and metabolic disorders. PMID 35673455 · doi:10.1007/s40200-022-00989-2
  5. Chakraborty A, Mahajan S, Bisht MS and others. 2022. Genome sequencing and comparative analysis of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa species reveal evolutionary mechanisms of longevityiScience. PMID 36164650 · doi:10.1016/j.isci.2022.105100
  6. Khanal P, Patil BM. 2022. Reversal of insulin resistance by Ficus benghalensis bark in fructose-induced insulin-resistant ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34678414 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114761
  7. Hassan HA, Allam AE, Abu-Baih DH and others. 2020. Isolation and characterization of novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Ficus benghalensis L. leavesRSC advances. PMID 35517980 · doi:10.1039/d0ra06565j

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