Nyagrodha

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Banyan tree
Latin/Botanical	Ficus benghalensis L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Bengalinoside (glucoside)
• Leucocyanidin
• Leucopelargonidin
• Friedelin
• Beta-sitosterol
• Phytosterols
• Bengalenol
• Bengalenoside
• Quercetin
• Rutin
• Gallic acid

How does it work?

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

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

• Antidiabetic use: animal studies have reported hypoglycemic activity.
• Traditionally used for diarrhea and dysentery. Animal studies using castor oil-induced diarrhea models have reported anti-diarrheal activity. Laboratory testing has also reported antimicrobial activity.
• Traditionally used for wounds. Animal studies using excision wound models have reported faster wound closure and increased collagen synthesis.
• Analgesic properties: animal studies using hot plate and tail flick models have reported pain-reducing activity.

What do recent studies show?

• Murugesu S, Selamat J, Perumal V 2021. Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, and Recent Applications of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa. Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34961220 · doi:10.3390/plants10122749
  Comprehensive analysis of 80+ compounds from both species summarised reported antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic and immunomodulatory activities with identification of leucocyanidin as a key bioactive flavonoid.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. 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
• 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

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

Optimal Timing: Bark decoction: morning and evening, between meals. Topical applications: as needed, clean wound area first.

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

Synergistic Combinations

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