The Peepal is a true ‘Tree of Life’ even in the scientific sense. Unlike other trees, it releases oxygen even at night. According to the science of Ayurveda, every part of Pipal tree is useful for treating numerous health issues and ailments. This tree can cure as many as 50 disorders, including diarrhoea, epilepsy and gastric troubles.
Peepal Tree and Mythologies
According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Vishnu the Preserver was born, and resided under the Peepal. He likens himself as Ashwattha; (Sanskrit) or the Peepal (Pipal) tree, in the Bhagavad Gita. The Peepal represents the trinity of Bhrama, Vishnu, and Shiva – the roots being Bhrama, the trunk, Vishnu, and the leaves, Shiva.
There are a lot of myths, superstitions and beliefs associated with the Peepal Tree. It’s a popular belief that watering, worshipping and circling around the Peepal Tree will bring wealth, fame and an abundance of happiness and good luck for any individual. Women are even advised to circumambulate pipal tree to overcome their fertility problems and to pray for a long, healthy life for their husbands.
Peepal Tree and Ayurveda
Ayurveda explains how every part of the sacred fig tree can be used for holistic wellbeing. It works powerfully on Kapha (Water) and Pitta (Fire) Dosha imbalances.
The manner in which various parts of the Peepal eliminate water and phlegm (sweating, therapeutic vomiting, diuretic action, and expectorant effects); as well as heat (skin surface and internal purgation, antipyretic/temperature reduction) has a beneficial and balancing impact on digestive and skin health.
The Peepal leaf is inherently astringent. When heated, it acts as a purgative tonic. Few common uses of peepal leaves are:
- Treating persistent skin itching
- Repairing Dry, cracked heels
- Treating boils, pimples, and blackheads
The bark of the Peeple tree, rich in vitamin K, is an effective complexion corrector and preserver; which makes bark extractions valuable for:
- Strengthening blood capillaries and minimising inflammation
- Healing skin bruises faster, and increasing skin resilience
- Treating pigmentation issues, wrinkles, dark circles
- Lightening surgery and pregnancy marks, scars, and stretch marks.
The nutrient rich peepal leaf and peepal bark help are used as a part of numerous Ayurvedic health remedies. Let’s now explore some powerful Peeple tree uses and benefits for health and beauty.
Benefits and Uses of Peepal Tree
1. For Asthma
The bark of the Peepal plant and its ripe fruits are helpful for treating asthma. Make a powder of the bark and fruits separately and then mix both of them in equal quantities. Consume this mixture thrice a day for relief from Asthma.
Another way to use a Peepal tree for relief from Asthma is having a powdered form of peepal fruit with water twice a day. Repeat this for 14 days to get relief.
2. For poor appetite
Eating ripe fruits of the Pipal tree is helpful in treating poor appetite and burning sensation in the stomach. Peepal tree fruit is also known as the sacred fig.
3. For stomach pain
Peepal leaf is a magical antidote when it comes to treating stomach ailments. You can make tablets for relief from stomach pain by mixing 2-3 peepal leaves with 50gm of jaggery.
4. For eczema and itching
Did you know that peepal tree bark can be used for preparing tea that is helpful in treating eczema and itching? Not only this, you can even apply the ash from peepal bark leaves to the affected areas to get relief. Just combine 50g of ash from the bark with lemon and ghee to prepare the paste.
5. For a brighter complexion
The powder prepared from peepal tree barks can be used as face packs by combining it with gram flour. This face pack helps in brightening the complexion. The bark from the Peepul tree and Banyan tree are used in a lot of Ayurvedic beauty treatments.
