Tamil name: அரசமரம்
English name: Peepal (sacred fig)
Scientific name: Ficus religiosa
Family: Moraceae
Peepal has great mythological, religious and medicinal importance. It has anticonvulsant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory. It has also showed wound healing antibacterial properties. It is also beneficial in treatment of respiratory and gastric disorders. Young shoot tip grinded with milk is remedy for ameobiasis and dysentery. The bark decoction is remedy for whopping cough and asthma. Intake of powdered tender leaves with milk is administered for abdominal pain. Bark decoction or bark juice is used as mouthwash strengthens gums and treats toothache. Fresh twigs of peepal tree can be used as toothbrush. Topical application of tender root paste can cure skin disease. The latex is applied topically to get rid of ringworms. The laxative nature of fruits helps to get relief from constipation.