Overview
Banyan is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Banyan bark is Ayurveda's cooling astringent for Raktapitta (bleeding) and Prameha (diabetes). Latex seals cracked heels; tender leaf buds calm diarrhea.
How Banyan Helps with Skin Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Banyan has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Kashaya (astringent), Madhura (sweet)
- Qualities (Guna): Guru (heavy), Ruksha (dry)
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
On the day of the appearance of the auspicious pushya nakshatra, one should collect two fresh leaf-buds from a banyan tree (Ficus religiosa Linn), growing in a cow-pen (typically, an open ground or range where cows are kept), from its eastern or northern side branches.
— Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर)
Surrounded by peaceful animals, near a banyan tree root, sat Atreya — the ocean of knowledge — attended by twice-born scholars.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 12: Convulsive Dance Disorder (Tandava Roga Adhikara)
The banyan tree setting is a traditional Gurukula teaching environment.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 12: Convulsive Dance Disorder (Tandava Roga Adhikara)
Surrounded by peaceful animals, near a banyan tree root, sat Atreya — the ocean of knowledge — attended by twice-born scholars.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 12: Convulsive Dance Disorder (Tandava Roga Adhikara)
The banyan tree setting is a traditional Gurukula teaching environment.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 12: Convulsive Dance Disorder (Tandava Roga Adhikara)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 12: Convulsive Dance Disorder (Tandava Roga Adhikara)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.