World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

BRIDGING TRADITION AND SCIENCE: AN ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL STUDY OF FICUS RELIGIOSA

Dr. C. Rama Raju, Dr. T. Uma Kiran, Dr. Mathe Anil Kumar, Dr. T. Dinaker Chinna*

ABSTRACT

The Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa), popularly known as the Peepal or Bodhi tree, holds a unique position at the intersection of botany, culture, and medicine. This study presents a comprehensive ethnobotanical analysis, tracing its taxonomy, morphology, and ecological niche, while situating its spiritual role within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Archaeological and textual evidence confirm its veneration from the Indus Valley period to present-day rituals, highlighting its enduring role in fertility, prosperity, and protection practices. Ethnomedicinally, the tree is used to treat over fifty ailments, with each plant part—leaves, bark, roots, fruit, and latex—providing therapeutic benefits. Modern pharmacological validation has confirmed its antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, demonstrating a convergence of traditional wisdom and contemporary science. Particularly significant is its role in women’s health, where cultural beliefs about fertility and maternal well-being align with empirically observed therapeutic effects. The Sacred Fig thus emerges as both a cultural monument and a biological keystone, offering insights into human–plant symbiosis that remain highly relevant for ecological conservation and integrative medicine.

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