The Health benefits of Guler Figs

Lion-tailed macaque eating Ficus racemosa fruits

Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by T. R. Shankar Raman

                                                 

Introduction

It is known as Ficus racemosa or Ficus glomerata. The guler is the species of the family of Moraceae plants. It is popularly known as the Cluster Fig Tree or the Indian Fig Tree or Goolar or Atti in south India. The plant is found in S-E Asia, Australia, Malaysia and India.  

It is regarded as a holy tree due to its several uses in India. The people of Maharashtra believe that lord Dattatreya lives on this tree.

The figs grow close to the tree trunk and are called cauliflory are the favourite staple food of the Indian macaque, and is a food plant for the caterpillars of butterfly.

The Hindu and Buddhist ascetics used to consume the fruits, while travelling through the forests on their way to Taxila in ancient times.

To get rid of fig wasps present inside the fruit, it is better to break the figs into halves or quarters, discard the seeds and place it in the sunlight for an hour or so.

The people use it to make traditional liquor from the fruits.

Pickled ficus racemosa fruits
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by vi:user: Viethavvh  

Uses

The bark, leaves, roots and raw or ripe fruits are equally useful.

1. The bark of the tree has healing power. Make a paste of the bark by rubbing it on stone with water and apply it on the skin. Let the paste dry and reapply after a few hours to get relief in boils or mosquito bites.

2. The sweet and ripe fruit is very nutritious appetiser and helps in constipation.

3. The extract of the roots taken for few days helps in complete control of diabetes.

4. In case of blood oozing out in piles, the juice of the leaves id very beneficial.

5. The milk of the tree helps in bleedings.

6. In case of hand and feet blisters, the application of the milk of the tree alleviates the pain and    repairs the blisters.

7. In mouth ulcers and bleeding gums, the gurgles with the extract of the bark are very helpful.

8. The juice of ripe fruits helps in summer heat and inflammation of intestines.

9. The intake of the juice of the leaves helps in heart and lever disorders.

10. Take unripe fruits and mix equal amount of brown sugar in it and prepare the powder. Take 5 gram of it with milk to increase the power and virility.