Botanical name:-Ficus racemosa
Family name:-MORACEAE
English name:- Cluster fig/Cluster tree
Sanskirt Name:-Udumbhara
Status:- Native
FIG TREE: MANY
USES AND LONG HISRORY
Ficus Glomerata , or Ficus Racemosa is
the botanical Name for the fig tree. In
sinskrit , it known as ‘Anjira” or “Udumbara’. This tree belong to the family
of Vanaspati or Moraceae.
If
there is one tree that can be said to belong to the history of humanity, it is
certainly the fig tree. It shares with the vine and the olive the honor of
beingThe most frequently mentioned in
the Bible.
It is thought by some, that Adam and Eva
used the leaves cover their nakedness.
The Egyptians believe that its fruits
followed the acorn as the food of their distant ancestors.They also held the
fig tree in veneration making use of it several remedies.
The Hebrews, the Greeks and the Romans
cultivated the fig tree. According to historians many wars have been fought to
conquer lands producing this delicious fruit.
Eaten all the year round , fresh or dried
in the sun by Mediter-ranean people, the fig or Attikka fruit was also used by
them as a valuable general remedy. The Old Testament tell us that it was used
as poultices to cure abscesses on the gums inflammation of the mouth.
Plato
has called the fig the philosopher’s friend, because it is said to strengthen
the intelligence. Recent discoveries have shown Attikka or figs as a protection
Against possible poisoning.
Eating figs is nourishing and fattening.
It is said that 100 grams of fresh fig
give 100 calories and 100 grams of dried figs give 250 calories.
Fig taken with dates and raisin in the
form of a decoction constitute a remedy
for coughs, persistent colds, lung disease in general and also for throat
conditions.
For throat irritations, inflammation of
the mouth , dental abscesses, gargal or wash the mouth with a hot decoction by
boiling 5 or 6 figs in to cups of water or milk for a few minuts. For
constipation, wash five or six figs, put them in aboel and cover with lukewarm water,
leave to soak overnight and eat the figs first thing in the morning; also drink
the water. The fig seeds or pips , are the part of the fruit that have a
stimulant and laxative action on the bowel.
For pulmonary complaints ,coughs,
chronic bronchitis , whooping coughs and
Catarrh drink the same decoction in the course
of the day. An infusion of thefresh Attikka leaves can be used as a
cough remedy and act on the circulation of blood.They ease difficult
menstruation.
For the haemorrhoids, rost some
Attikka fruit , crush to powder and mix with honey to make an ointment which
should be applied lightly to the affected Glands This powder used like coffee,
is also prescribed for pulmonary complain.
There is another decoction prepared
with the Attika bark for bleeding piles.Take four
kalandas each of bark, young king Coconut flowers, Madan bark(Syzygium cumin)
and boil in 8 cups of cold water and simmer it down to one cup.Dosage:1/3 cup
of the infusion in two dose, twice a day.
Fig makes a good hair wash.Lice drop
off and they cleanse the sclp and keep away dandruff.
Attikka fruits are boiled and eaten for
cooling the system. The attikka is a very Effective herb for disorders in blood circulation.
Attikka act as an effective herb binding stools. There are many decoctions
which include Attikka as aherb for dysentery and diarrhoea.
Take a 4 kalands of tender coconut
flowers ,kalanduru(Cyperus rotundus), Attkka bark and make a decoction boiling all together in 8 cup of
cold water. Simmer it down to one cup.Dosage:half a tea cup in case of
diarrhoea.
Attikka or figs are astringent and
carminative. The dried fig is given in
dose of 21/2 kalandas with honey in
diarrhea during pregnancy.
The external uses of figs are many. When
the milky sap (that runs out when a branch is broken or bent) is applied
morning and evening on warts and corns and it helped to remove them.
It is a popular local application for momps and other glandular
swellings, rheumatic joints and pains in the chest. The fig leaves are soaked
in milk And applied with honey to prevent pitting in small pox.
It is a large spreading tree without
aerial roots. The leaves are oblong and dark green. Figs grow in clusters on short
leafless branches, This tree grow wild
in Sri Lanka, especially close to area where water flows. This nice and shady
tree, though known as wild tree has many
curative properties which are not known to many.
HERBAL FOOD
and MEDICINE in SRI LANKA
Dr. Seela
Fernando