Ficus Microcarpa
Baleteng- liitan/ Indian Laurel
Baleteng- liitan/ Indian Laurel
Information obtained from Godofredo U. Stuart Jr. M.D. (StuartXchange
The Ficus microcarpa is an evergreen tree that may grow up to 20 meters high. It has a close crown and
smooth, gray bark.
Its leaves are shining green, alternate, ovate to elliptical in shape, and also have highly developed veins.
It is a small, globular fig, hence "microcarpa," the meaning of the genus name, referring to small fruit. It is green, purplish, or red at maturity.
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Kingdom: Plantae
Sub kingdom: Viridiplantae
Superdivision: Embryophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Species: Ficus microcarpa
Medicinal Properties: Traditionally used in many folk medicines for their possible health properties.
Ornamental Properties: Often grown as an ornamental plant because of its beautiful foliage and the fact that it grows indoors.
Habitat: Southeastern Asian in origin, but it is now cultivated en masse and naturalized in most parts — mainly tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Distribution: Throughout countries in Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas; they are more abundant in warm climates.
Industrial Uses:
Ornamental Plant: Generally cultivated for the purpose of ornament in gardens, parks, and interior parts of houses.
Landscape: Guarantees shade with a very attractive look, hence suitable for landscaping, from its dense potential canopy.
Pharmaceutical Uses:
Traditional Medicine: Traditionally used in Asian medicine for a host of complaints, specific pharmaceutical applications vary regionally.
Antimicrobial properties: Some studies do suggest possible antimicrobial effects that could be of therapeutic use.
Pharmacological Uses:
An anti-inflammatory: likely anti-inflammatory activity, which would contribute to the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Antioxidant: Abundantly found in antioxidants, which would be of great help against oxidative stress and states of related diseases.
Antidiabetic: Some studies support hypoglycemic activity, hence its use for controlling glycemia in cases of diabetes.
Ficus microcarpa contains various phytochemicals, including:
Flavonoids
Tannins
Terpenoids
Steroids
Glycosides