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Family Moraceae
Baleting-baging
Ficus indica Linn.
INDIAN BANYAN TREE

Meng jia la rong

Scientific names Common names
Ficus benghalensis Linn. ? Agaien (Bon.)
Urostigma tjiela Miq. Balete (Ibn., Tag.)
  Baleting-baging (Tag.)
  Baleting-ibon (Tag.)
  Gudugug (If.)
  Isip (Bon.)
  Kamanlinganu (Sbl.)
  Kayapa (Ibn.)
  Marobutum (Bag.)
  Nonok (C. Bis., Sul.)
  Indian Banyan tree (Engl.)
  Weeping Chinese Banyan tree (Engl.)
  Meng jia la rong (Chin.)
Worldwide there are over 800 species of the genus Ficus (Latin: fig) and of the more than 10 species found in the Philippines, Balete is a shared common name for six of them: (1) Ficus benjamina, salisi (2) Ficus elastica, Indian rubber tree (3) Ficus indica, baleteng-baging (4) Ficus payapa, payapa (5) Ficus retusa, marabutan, and (6) Ficus stipulosa, botgo.
There are taxonomic conflicts on Ficus indica. The Plant List does not include Ficus indica in its compilation. Quisumbing's compilation lists two species of Ficus indica: F. indica Linn. (Baleteng-baging) and F. indica Blanco as a synonym of F. payapa (Payapa). Urostigma tijelu, a synonym of F. indica in Quisumbing's compilation, is an unresolved synonym for Ficus benghalensis in The Plant List compilation.
Until the conflicts are resolved, the contents on this page includes Quisumbing's infornation on Baleteng-baging (F. indica) and information and studies on Ficus benghalensis. Refer to the Plant List page on Ficus benghalensis for list of synonyms.

Other vernacular names
BENGALI: Bar, Bat, Bath, Bot.
BURMESE: Pyi nyaung, Pyin vaung.
DANISH: Indisk figen.
FRENCH: Banian, Figuier d'Inde, Figuier des pagodes.
GERMAN: Banyanbaum, Bengalischer Feigenbaum.
GUJARATI: Vad, Vadlo.
HINDI: Bad, Bargad, Bargat, Barh, Bar, Bat.
JAPANESE: Bengaru bodaiju.me
KANNADA: Ala, Alada, Alada mara, Aalada mara, Goli, Nyagrodha, Vata.
MALAY: Ara (Indonesia), Pokok ara .
MALAYALAM: Ala, Peraal, Peral (Kerala), Vatam, Vatavarksam.
MARATHI: Marri, Peddamarri, Vad, Wad.
NEPALESE: Bar.
ORIYA: Baragachha.
PUNJABI: Bar.
SANSKRIT: Akshaya vruksham, Avaroha, Bahupada, Bat, Bhringi, Jatalo, Nyagrodha, Nyagrodhah, Vat, Vata, Vatah.
SERBIAN: Indijska smokva.
SINHALESE: Maha nuga.
SPANISH: Baniano, Higuera de Bengala.
TAMIL: Aal, Alam, Aalam vizhudhu, Alamaram, Peral.
TELUGU: Mari peddamari, Marri, Peddamarri, Vata vrikshamu.
THAI: Krang, Ni khrot.
VIETNAMESE: Cây đa, Cây sanh, Cây dong, Ða lá tròn.


Botany
Baleting-baging is an erect, smooth tree, 4 to 12 meters high, with spreading branches and many aerial roots. Leaves are leathery, elliptic-ovate, 5 to 12 centimeters long, shining, smooth, with entire margins, and narrowed at both ends. Petioles are 6 to 12 millimeters long. Receptacles are nearly spherical, about 1 centimeter in diameter or less, axillary, solitary or in pairs, stalkless, dark purple and fleshy when mature, smooth, and the base with three small ovate bracts.

Distribution
- At low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines.
- Also occurs in Assam and Burma to Malaya.

Constituents
- Bark contains tannin, wax, and caoutchouc.
- Fruit contains oil, albuminoids, carbohydrates, fiber, and ash.

- Bark analysis yielded tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides.

Properties
- Bark is tonic, astringent, and diuretic.
- Fruit is cooling and tonic.
- Young buds and milky juice are astringent.
- Milky juice is aphrodisiac, tonic, vulnerary, and maturant. Seeds are cooling. Aerial root is styptic and aphrodisiac.
(20)
- Traditionally used as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthma, anti-diabetic, analgesic.

Parts used
Bark, fruit, sap.

Uses

Folkloric
- In the Philippines, the Negritos and Mangyans pound and clean the bark of F. indica (Baleteng-baging) to cover their private parts.
- Milky juice used as external application to pains and bruises and for rheumatism and lumbago.
- Heated leaves applied as poultice to abscesses to promote suppuration and discharge of pus.
- Internally, used for dysentery and diarrhea.
- Bark infusion used for diabetes.
- Decoction of bark, which is about 10% tannin, used as astringent lotion in leucorrhea.
- Leaves that have turned yellow used in decoction with toasted rice as diaphoretic.
- Decoction of root-fibers, with or without honey, used for gonorrhea.
- Infusion of small branches used in hemoptysis.
- Tender ends of hanging roots used in obstinate vomiting.
- Young buds, like the milk juice, used as astringent in cases of dysentery and diarrhea.
- Combination of the concentrated juice and fruit used as aphrodisiac; also used in spermatorrhea and gonorrhea.
- For toothaches, latex applied to the tooth or gums.
- Latex also applied to the soles of feet when cracked or inflamed.
- In Kerala, India, bark used in treatment of ulcers, erysipelas, vaginal disorders. Milky juice used for piles and gonorrhea, and applied externally for rheumatic pains and lumbago. Decoction of leaf buds used for hemorrhages. Leaves applied as poultice to abscesses. Aerial roots used for gonorrhea, syphilis, dysentery, and liver inflammation.
(20)
- In Ayurveda, used as bowel astringent, for treatment of biliousness, fever, ulcers, erisypelas, vomiting, gynecologic complaints, fever, inflammation and leprosy. Aerial roots used to boost the immune system in various diseases.
- In Unani system of medicine, latex is considered aphrodisiac, tonic, vulnerary, and maturant. Used for inflammation, piles, gonorrhea.
Others
Timber: In India, Used for furniture making.
Paper: In India, used for making paper pulp.
Fodder: In India, leaf with its crude protein of 9.63%, lopped for fodder.


Studies
Anthelmintic / Latex:
Study of F. religinosia, F. elastica and F. bengalensis showed the three plants possess anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworm Pheritima posthuma. Results showed F. religinosa showed more activity than the other two. (2)
Hypoglycemic Activity:
Study in alloxan diabetic albino rats of 30 hypoglycemic medicinal plants selected from studies of indigenous folk medicines, including Ficus benghalensis, 24 samples showed definite blood glucose lowering effect within 2 weeks. In decreasing order, F. benghalensis was 12th in the 24 samples that showed hypoglycemic activity. (3)
Hypoglycemic Activity / Bark: Study of crude extracts of the bark of FB showed pronounced hypoglycemic effect. The partially purified compound was several times more active than tolbutamide. (9)
Hypoglycemic Activity / Inhibition of Carbohydrate Hydrolyzing Enzymes: Study evaluated the effect of FB stem bark on porcine pancreatic a-amylase, rat intestinal a-glucosidae and sucrase. Aqueous extracts exhibited significant dose-dependent inhibition of a-glucosidase and sucrase. Results demonstrated carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme inhibition as one of the mechanisms for the bark's hypoglycemic effect. (4)
Immunomodulatory Activity: An aqueous extract of F. benghalensis was found to stimulate both cell and antibody mediated immune responses and also stimulated the proliferation of lymphocytes responsible for orchestrating immune responses to an antigen/disease. (5)
Biofuel: Study of aerial roots suggests F. benghalensis may be an additional efficient biofuel with a calorific value comparable to conventional sources.
Transdermal Patch Mucilage / Glimepiride: Study showed glimepiride can be developed as a transdermal patch with Ficus benghalensis fruit mucilage. (8)
Anti-Inflammatory: Study in experimental animals evaluated the anti-inflammatory property of aqueous extracts of leaves and fruits of Cassia fistula and aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis. Preliminary pharmacologic screening of the extract showed significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory profile. (10)
Antihelmintic: Study of anthelmintic activity of the roots of F. benghalensis using methanolic, aqueous, chloroform, and petroleum ether extracts showed all extracts were found to both paralyze and kill the earthworms. The aqueous and methanolic extracts were more effective in vermicidal activity. (11)
Wound Healing: Study evaluated the wound healing efficacy of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of F. benghalensis in excision and incision wound models. Results showed both extracts possess significant wound healing activity, evidenced by decrease epithelialization, increase in rate of wound contraction and skin-breaking strength. (13)
Transdermal Patch Mucilage / Diclofenac: Study evaluated the possibility of developing transdermal patches (matrix type) of diclofenac potassium using various ratios of F. benghalensis fruit mucilage. Results showed satisfactory pre-formulary and formulary characteristics, with proportionate release of drug as the proportion of F. benghalensis increased. (14)
Antiulcer / Bark Extracts: Study investigated the antiulcer activity of the bark of F. benghalensis. Phytochemical analysis yielded flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, and carbohydrates. A methanolic extract showed better antiulcer activity compared to other extracts. Flavonoids may be responsible for the antiulcer activity of the bark. (15)
Antimutagenicity Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Genotoxicity: Study evaluated a bark extract against cyclophosphamide-induced chromosomal abbreviation and micronucleus formation in rat bone marrow cells. Results showed dose-dependent preventive potential against CP-induced mutagenic effect in rat bone marrow cells. (16)
Roots / Wound Healing Potential: Study investigated the wound healing activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of roots in three wound models ie. incision, excision and dead space wound. Results showed both extracts with activity in all three models, with the aqueous extract more effective than the ethanolic extract. (17)
Hepatoprotective / Leaves: Study investigated the hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of leaves against CCl4- and ethanol-induced liver damage in rats. Results showed amelioration of effects of hepatoxins and significantly reduced the elevation of biochemical marker enzymes. (18)
Antibacterial / Aerial Roots: Study investigated the anti-bacterial activity of various extracts of aerial roots. Extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against selected organisms. Flavonoids may be the responsible active principle. (19)

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Last Update Aguust 2016

IMAGE SOURCES: (1) Roots at Kahului, Maui (2) Fruit and Leaf / Forest & Kim Starr / Plants of Hawaii / Creative Commons Attribution / alterVISTA
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Banyan / Ficus indica / Chest of Books

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Bar or Bargad Ficus benghalensis L. / Pankaj Oudhia / Society for Parthenium Management (SOPAM)
(2)
COMPARATIVE IN-VITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF THE LATEX OF FICUS RELIGINOSA, FICUS ELASTICA AND FICUS BENGALENSIS / B N Vedha Hari, P Saravana Kumar and D Ramya Devi / Journal of Phytology 2011, 3(3): 26-30
(3)
Comparative evaluation of hypoglycaemic activity of some Indian medicinal plants in alloxan diabetic rats / Ajit Kar, B K Choudhary, N G Bandyopadhyay / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 84 (2003) 105 /108
(4)
Inhibitory activities of Ficus benghalensis bark against carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes - An in vitro study / Faiyaz Ahmed, Shailesh Chavan1, Satish A, Punith Kumar R / Phcog J / DOI: 10.5530/pj.2011.20.7
(5)
Immunological Studies on the Aerial Roots of the Indian Banyan / Tabassum Khan, Pratima Tatke, and S. Y. Gabhe / Indian J Pharm Sci. 2008 May–Jun; 70(3): 287–291. / doi: 10.4103/0250-474X.42970.
(6)
Sorting Ficus names / MULTILINGUAL MULTISCRIPT PLANT NAME DATABASE
(7)
Comparative pharmacognostic studies on the barks of four Ficus species / Koilpillai Babu, Sabesan Gokul Shankar, Sadananda Rai / Turk J Bot, 34 (2010) 215-224
(8)
Fabrication and evaluation of glimepiride Ficus benghalensis fruit mucilage matrix transdermal patches / Ahad H A, Kumar B P et al / International Journal of Chemical Sciences 2009 Vol. 7 No. 4 pp. 2294-2298
(9)
STUDIES ON THE HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF THE BARK OF FICUS BENGALENSIS EMPLOYING ALLOXAN-RECOVERED RABBITS / B. Venkanna Babu, KM. Prabhu1 P.S. Murty / July 1987
(10)
Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Cassia fistula and Ficus benghalensis / Mule Somnath Navanath / Journal of Pharmacy Research, Vol 2, No 8 (2009)
(11)
Anthelmintic activity of Ficus benghalensis / Manoj Aswar, Urmila Aswar, Bhagyashri Watkar et al / IJGP, 2008, Vol 2, No 3, Pp 170-172
(12)
Sorting Ficus names / Porcher Michel H. et al. 1995 - 2020, Sorting Ficus Names. Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database - A Work in Progress. Published by The University of Melbourne. Australia.
(13)
Wound-healing activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Ficus benghalensis / Vipin Kumar Garg & Sarvesh Kumar Paliwal / J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2011 Apr-Jun; 2(2): 110–114. / doi: 10.4103/2231-4040.82957
(14)
Preparation and In vitro Permeation Studies of Diclofenac potassium Ficus benghalensis Fruit Mucilage Transdermal Patches / Anuradha CM, Hindustan Abdul Ahad, Sreekanth K, Abhilash A, Prabhuraj KJ, Swapna K / Pharma Research Library.
(15)
Phytochemical investigation and anti-ulcerActivity of ficus benghalensis linn. Bark Extracts / Manjunath Ballappa / Dissertation / KLE University
(16)
ANTIMUTAGENIC PROTECTION OF FICUS BENGHALENSIS EXTRACT AGAINST CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED GENOTOXICITY IN RAT BONE MARROW / SUNNY SHARMA*, GYANDERA K SHARMA, ANIL MEHTA / Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research Vol 5, Supp 1, 2012
(17)
Healing promoting potentials of roots of Ficus benghalensis L. in albino rats / Krishna Murti, Upendra Kumar, Mayank Panchal / Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine (2011)921-924 / doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60219-8
(18)
Hepatoprotective activity of Ficus bengalensis Linn leaves. / *Manisha Shinde, R.V. Shete, K. J. Kore, A.R. Attal. / Current Pharma Research / CPR 2(2), 2012, 503-507.
(19)
Phytochemical studies and anti-bacterial activity of aerial root of Ficus benga- lensis / S. Angala Parameswari*, C. Madhusudhana Chetty, K.B. Chandra Sekar / Int. J. Res. Phytochem. Pharmacol., 1(2), 2011, 83-87
(20)
STUDIES ON THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KERALA FORESTS / V.P.Krishnan Nambiar N.Sasidharan C.Renuka M.Balagopalan

It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page.

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