Pipal Tree

At a time when trees are merely considered logs of wood, not many of them are treated as the pipal tree, that finds respect in many cultures of Asia. Before discussing this mighty tree in detail, let's first take a look at its scientific classification.

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Species: Ficus religiosa

Historical Significance
Historically, the pipal tree holds a lot of significance. It's amongst the oldest known depicted trees. The first reference of this tree was found on a seal discovered at Mohenjo-daro, one of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, which shows the pipal being worshiped. Remains of a pipal-leaf shaped well was also found in the excavation area, where once the ancient city stood.

The pipal is one of the longest living trees, which is elaborated by the fact that the Shri Maha Bodhi tree, located in Bodh Gaya, in the Indian state of Bihar, has a known planting date of 288 B.C. This is the oldest, verified age of any angiosperm or flowering plant. As claimed by many, it was this very tree, in Gaya, under which Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism achieved enlightenment or bodhi, and came to be known as Gautama Buddha or more commonly as the Buddha. Even Lord Buddha has quoted: 'He who worships the Peepal tree will receive the same reward as if he worshiped me in person'. It is for these precise reasons that this tree is so sacred for the followers of Buddhism.

Hindus, in India, also hold this tree (also called Asvattha), in high regard. They believe that Lord Vishnu was born under this tree and Lord Krishna died under it. Also, since the Vedic period, Hindu holy men have been known to meditate sitting under this tree. Hence, this tree is also sacred for the followers of Hinduism.

General Facts
The pipal or Sacred Fig tree, is scientifically known as Ficus religiosa. The pipal tree is a species of the banyan fig, native to the region extending from the Indian subcontinent to Indochina and Southwest China. The peepal leaves are cordate or heart-shaped, with a distinctly extended tip. It is an average-sized tree and sports a large crown with branches that spread wide spectacularly. The pipal tree is a deciduous tree growing up to 100 ft tall, with a trunk which is almost 10 ft in diameter. The tree sheds its leaves in the months of March and April, which sums up the spring season in and around the Indian subcontinent. The pipal bears a fruit, a small fig, which ripens in the month of May. These figs grow in pairs, just below the leaves and look like purple berries. The bark of this tree is light gray, smooth and peels off in patches.

Uses
The pipal tree is used for a number of Ayurvedic medicinal purposes. They are as follows:

• Raw juice of the peepul plant leaf is very effective in arresting excessive bleeding. 50 ml of juice or 1 tbsp of dry leaf powder taken with water, can work wonders towards this cause. This recipe when consumed with equal quantity of tender leaves, coriander leaves and sugar can act against dysentery.
• Peepal leaves are also used for the treatment of mumps and boils. The leaf daubed in ghee or butter can be bandaged lukewarm over the affected part.
• A popular remedy for excessive urination in jaundice patients is soaking a piece of peepal bark in water overnight and consuming the water the following morning.
• Juice extracted from pipal leaves and held close to fire, can be used as ear drops.
• The leaves are effective against many heart diseases. For this, soak the leaves overnight in water, distill the next morning and then store. About 15 mg of this solution, can be administered thrice daily. It is known to be effective in the treatment of heart palpitation and cardiac weakness.
• Juice from the root bark is effective against gout and stomatitis, heals ulcers and enhances granulations. Chewing of roots of this tree, is known to prevent gum disease.
• Pipal is an excellent remedy for the neck disease scrofula, that causes swollen lymphatic glands. A paste prepared by mashing its roots under water, is applied on the affected region of the neck.
• Pipal leaves have been used against bruises and wounds for years. Finely ground leaves mixed with jaggery are made into pills. One pill taken daily with milk, is an effective pain killer.
• The pipal fruit is also useful in treatment. Powdered dried fig fruit is extremely beneficial against asthma.

The pipal tree finds a few more miscellaneous uses and they are as follows.

• Bark of the pipal can be used to manufacture tannin, which is used for leather treatment.
• Dark red color dye is extracted from pipal tree bark.
• In India, dried pipal leaves are used for decoration purposes. The peepal leaves are collected, cleaned, dried and then painted with the gold acrylic, in order to preserve them for the future.
• The leaves are also used as camel and elephant fodder because of its nutritional and medicinal values.

This concludes the brief insight into this highly beneficial tree. Pipal trees by themselves benefit the human race in multiple ways, and now you have a fair idea how. Hope this heart-leaved sacred tree resides in your heart forever!