Screening of Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical Profile and Traditional Application of Ficus benghalensis

Ficus benghalensis belonging to Moraceae family is mostly familiar as “Banyan tree” or “Indian fig” with several vernacular names. Gigantic in appearance, as a colossal evergreen tree, it is extended by spreading branches through the substantiation of aerial roots. As an indigenous plant of South Asia, it is considered as a sacred plant in certain regions because of its numerous roles in its history, culture, heritage, religion as well as inhabitant’s life style from ancient time. Its legendary remedial potency is also bolstered by enormous phytotherapeutical features recommended by local practitioner for long years and verified by epic ayurvedic classic “Charak Samhita”. Extensive presence of certain potent secondary metabolites including flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolic compounds etc. has been screened out from its several portions including bark, root, leaf, fruit and latex. Current pharmacognostical evaluations unravel its effective functions as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, analgesic, anti-diarrheal agent and role in relieving several skin diseases. This review based on Ficus benghalensis is a compendium of its recent advancements in the field of phytopharmacognosy along with its ethnobotanically established therapeutical roles.