Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Tannins, latex
- Also Known As
- English: Ficus
Sanskrit: ब्रायमाणा
Hindi: ब्रायमाणा
What is Ficus?
Fig trees run all through classical Ayurveda: their twigs clean teeth, their barks wash wounds, their leaves wrap medicines. Ficus, the species covered here, is one of the quieter members of that family, a fig tree whose leaves change shape from branch to branch.
Its botanical name is Ficus heterophylla Linn. f., and its Sanskrit and Hindi name is Brahmayana (Brahmayana). The bark and the latex, the milky sap of the tree, are used medicinally. Its recorded chemical constituents are tannins and latex.
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu, a classical Ayurvedic text on medicinal substances, mentions it only briefly in its third chapter (Varga 3). It describes the plant as astringent and anti-diarrheal.
It should not be confused with its better-known relatives, such as Udumbara (cluster fig, Ficus racemosa), Banyan (Vata or Nyagrodha, Ficus benghalensis) and Sacred Fig (Ashvattha, Ficus religiosa), which the classical texts discuss far more often.
Benefits of Ficus
The classical record for this Ficus is brief. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu names two therapeutic actions (Karma), meaning the effects a substance is traditionally said to have on the body. Both are drying and binding actions.
Digestion: Loose Stools
Ficus is described as absorbent and anti-diarrheal (Grahi), a term for substances that absorb excess fluid in the gut and firm up the stool.
Ayurvedic reasoning ties this to its properties. It tastes astringent (Kashaya Rasa), the puckering taste of unripe fruit or strong tea, which Ayurveda links to drying and binding. It also has a heavy quality (Guru Guna) and a cold potency (Sheeta Virya), meaning its overall effect on the body is cooling.
Styptic Action
It is also classed as styptic (Stambhana), meaning it checks or holds back flow, including bleeding. Its tannins fit this astringent profile.
Its post-digestive effect (Vipaka), the taste-like effect a substance leaves after digestion, is pungent (Katu).
Hiccups
Our knowledge graph links Ficus to hiccups. That link comes from the hiccup chapter of the Charaka Samhita, where a related fig, laksha (Ficus lacor), appears in a medicated wick together with turmeric and other ingredients. No direct classical use of Ficus heterophylla for hiccups is recorded here.
How to Use Ficus
The bark and latex of Ficus are the parts used medicinally. The classical sources here give no measured dose and no specific method of preparation.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bark | Not specified in the classical sources here | Loose stools, astringent and styptic use | Not specified |
| Latex | Not specified in the classical sources here | Astringent use | Not specified |
For related fig trees, the Sharangadhara Samhita says the bark is the part to take from Nyagrodha (Banyan) and similar trees, and the Charaka Samhita uses decoctions of fig barks to wash bleeding hemorrhoids. These describe relatives, not this species specifically.
No vehicle to take it with (Anupana) or seasonal guidance is recorded. Ask a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before using it.
Safety & Side Effects
The classical sources available here do not list contraindications, drug interactions or overdose signs for Ficus. That is an absence of data, not proof of safety.
What to Keep in Mind
Its actions are binding: it is anti-diarrheal (Grahi) and styptic (Stambhana). In Ayurvedic thinking, strongly binding remedies are not a natural fit for someone who is already constipated, so discuss this with a practitioner.
No dose is recorded for the bark or the latex, so do not take either by mouth without guidance.
Pregnancy and Nursing
No safety data for pregnancy or breastfeeding is recorded here. Avoid it during these times unless a qualified practitioner advises otherwise.
Recommended: Start Here
Ficus heterophylla itself is rarely sold, and the classical sources give no dose. The practical starting point is to speak with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, who can tell you whether it, or a better-documented relative, suits your needs.
If you want to explore the wider family, the fig barks named in the classical texts, such as Udumbara (cluster fig) and Banyan, are easier to find as dried bark or powder.
Shop Udumbara Bark ↗ Shop Banyan Bark ↗
Since no dose or contraindications are recorded for this species, do not self-dose; get guidance from a qualified practitioner first.
Ficus vs Other Herbs & Supplements
Several fig trees appear in the classical texts. The comparisons below stay with what those passages say about each.
| Comparison | Ficus | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ficus vs Udumbara (Ficus racemosa) | Bark and latex; astringent and anti-diarrheal, mentioned only briefly | Its bark is part of the five-bark group (Panchavalka) whose decoction the Charaka Samhita sprinkles on bleeding hemorrhoids | Udumbara has the fuller classical record for bleeding |
| Ficus vs Banyan (Vata, Ficus benghalensis) | No recorded daily-routine use | Twigs used to clean the teeth (Ashtanga Hridaya); sprouts used in a face paste for pigmentation (Sharangadhara Samhita) | Banyan for oral care and topical pastes in the classical sources |
| Ficus vs Sacred Fig (Ashvattha, Ficus religiosa) | Astringent, styptic | Bark in the Panchavalka group; tender shoots used in a medicated ghee or oil (Sharangadhara Samhita) | Both share the fig family's bark use; Ashvattha is far better documented |
Ficus for Specific Populations
The classical sources here give no population-specific guidance for Ficus, and no dose at all. The notes below err on the side of caution.
Pregnancy & Nursing
No safety data is recorded for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Avoid it during these times unless a qualified practitioner advises otherwise.
Children
No pediatric use or dose is recorded. Do not give it to a child without guidance from a qualified practitioner, particularly for diarrhea, which needs proper medical attention in children.
Elderly
Its binding, anti-diarrheal action may not suit older adults prone to constipation. Check with a practitioner before use.
Athletes
No athletic use is recorded. There is no basis in the sources here for using it to support training or recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brahmayana in Ayurveda?
Brahmayana is the Sanskrit and Hindi name given for Ficus heterophylla Linn. f., a fig tree with variable leaf shapes. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu mentions it briefly as astringent and anti-diarrheal.
Is this Ficus the same as Udumbara?
No. Udumbara is the cluster fig, Ficus racemosa, a separate species that appears often in the Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas. Ficus heterophylla is a different, less documented fig.
Which parts of Ficus are used?
The bark and the latex, the tree's milky sap, are used medicinally. Its recorded constituents are tannins and latex.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Ficus?
It has an astringent taste (Kashaya), a heavy quality (Guru), a cold potency (Sheeta Virya) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka). Its actions are anti-diarrheal (Grahi) and styptic (Stambhana).
Why do fig trees appear so often in classical texts?
Fig barks, twigs, leaves and sprouts are used widely. The texts use Banyan twigs to clean teeth, a five-bark decoction to wash bleeding hemorrhoids, and Banyan leaves to wrap medicines during preparation.
How to Use Ficus by Condition
Explore how Ficus is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
2-3 – DANTADHAVANA / CLEANING OF TEETH शर र च तां नव य कृतशौच व ध ततः अक य ोधख दरकर जककुभा दजम ् ातभु वा च म ृ व ं कषायकटु त तकम ् भ ये तपवनं द तमांसा यबाधयन ् कनी य सम थौ यं गुणं वादशा गुलम ् Keeping in view, the condition of his body, the individual should pass urine and faeces, clean teeth with any of the twigs of following herbs – Arka (Calotropis procera), Vata (Ficus benghalensis), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Kakubha (Terminalia arjuna).
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine
References in Charaka Samhita
Also known as – keshada (destructing hair), lomada (destructing body hair), lomadwipa (residing in hair follicles of body), saurasa(insect infesting cartilages), audumbara(which appear like clusters of ficus racemosa/cluster fig tree) and jantumatarah(a kind of fly which produces worms);
— Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana — Specific Medical Principles, Chapter 7: Signs of Morbidity (Vyadhita Rupiya Vimana / व्याधित रूपीय विमान)
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)
Clarke), yava (barley), kalaya (green pea), pindi, tundikeri (fruit of karira), kebuka, tinduka, karkandhu, kakanantika, bimbi badara, karira, udumbara (Ficus racemosa Linn), kharjura (Phoenix dactylifera) jambu (Syzygium cuminii (Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
To stop bleeding, hemorrhoids should be sprinkled with the decoctions of madhuka, panchavalka [barks of nyagrodha (ficus bengalensis), udumbara (ficus glomeruta), ashwatha (ficus religiosa), parisha (thespesia populnea) and plaksha (ficus lacor)], bark of badar, udumbara (ficus glomeruta), dhava (Anogeissus latifolia) and patola (Tricosanthes dioica) or vasa (Adhatoda vasika), kakubha,Yavasaka (Alhagi camelorum) and nimba (Azadiracta indica).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
The haridra (turmeric), roots of eranda (Ricinus communis Linn), laksha (Ficus Lacor Buch-Ham), manahshila (realgar, an Arsenic compound), jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansone BC), are powdered properly and wick is prepared.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana — Specific Medical Principles, Chapter 7: Signs of Morbidity (Vyadhita Rupiya Vimana / व्याधित रूपीय विमान); Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
From Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis) and similar trees, the bark should be taken.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions)
Wrapping with leaves of Kashmari (Gmelina arborea), Vata (Ficus benghalensis), or Jambu (Syzygium cumini) is considered best.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
The abdominal cavity of a Tittira (partridge) bird, emptied of entrails, should be filled with the paste of Nyagrodha (banyan — Ficus benghalensis) and related drugs, and roasted by the Putapaka method.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
Also: tender shoots of Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa), Padmabija (lotus seeds — Nelumbo nucifera), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), fruits of Kashmarya (Gmelina arborea), and Masha seeds (black gram — Vigna mungo).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)
A paste of Rakta Chandana (red sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalinus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Vata Ankura (banyan sprouts, Ficus benghalensis), and Masura (red lentils, Lens culinaris) destroys Vyanga (hyperpigmentation/melasma) and bestows facial radiance (Mukha Kanti).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
References in Sushruta Samhita
, Ficus species bear fruit without apparent flowers), Vriksha (trees), Virudh (climbers/shrubs), Oshadhi (annual herbs).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1: Vedotpatti Adhyaya - Origin of Ayurveda
Perform oblations with sticks of Khadira (Acacia catechu), Palasha (Butea monosperma), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), and Bilva (Aegle marmelos) — or of Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa), and Madhuka (Madhuca longifolia) — smeared with curd, honey, and ghee, while reciting the Pranava (Om) and Maha-vyahritis.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1: Vedotpatti Adhyaya - Origin of Ayurveda; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student
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.