Ficus racemosa

HABIT: Ficus racemosa is an evergreen, moderate to large, spread-ing, lactiferous, deciduous tree, 15-18 m high, without  prominent  aerial  roots. Young shoots  are  glabrous,  pubescent  or  scaberulous,  leaves are  dark  green   colored, ovate oblong, or elliptic-lanceolate,  tapering  to  a  bluntish point at the apex, with entire margins, glabrous on both surfaces when mature, base acute or rounded. Figs  are  smooth  or  pubescent  and  rarely  covered with  minute  soft  hairs.  When  ripe,  they  are  orange, dull reddish or dark crimson, with depressed umbilicus  (edible  but  usually  full  of  worms). 

CONSERVATION STATUS: Evaluated as 'Least Concern' by IUCN.

MEDICINAL USES: Antidiabetic  potential  of  various  parts  of F.  racemosahas  been  evaluated  in  alloxan/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats/rabbits. Herbal radioprotectors have been gaining prime importance in radioprotective drug discovery due to lesser side effects  as  reviewed  extensively  by  many  authors. The hepatoprotective activity of petroleum ether extract of F. racemosa leaves was evaluated in carbon tetrachlo-ride/paracetamol-induced  chronic  liver  damage. Anti-inflammatory   activity   of F.   racemosa   has   been evaluated   in   several   studies. Analgesic   activities   of   ethanol   extracts   of   the   bark and   leaves   were   evaluated   using   hot-plate   and   tail- immersion methods. 

(Ahmed, F., & Urooj, A. (2010). Traditional uses, medicinal properties, and phytopharmacology of Ficus racemosa: A review. Pharmaceutical biology, 48(6), 672-681.)

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES: The  fruit  is  an  astringent,  stomachic,  carminative  given in  menorrhea  and  hemoptysis. Fruits  are  used  as  a  remedy  for  visceral  obstruction, diarrhea and constipation. A bath made of fruit and bark is regarded as a cure for leprosy. The fruit is  regarded  as  a  good  remedy  for  diabetes. The  fruit  is  an  astringent,  stomachic,  carminative  given in  menorrhea  and  hemoptysis. Fruits  are  used  as  a  remedy  for  visceral  obstruction, diarrhea and constipation. A bath made of fruit and bark is regarded as a cure for leprosy. The fruit is  regarded  as  a  good  remedy  for  diabetes. The bark is astringent. An infusion of bark is employed as  mouth  wash  in  spongy  gum  condition,  dysentery, menorrhea,  hemoptysis,  and  diabetes. The  latex  is  aphrodisiac  and  is  administered  in  boils, diarrhea,  dysentery,  and  hemorrhoids. Sap  of  the  root  is  given  for  gonorrhea,  diabetes  and  as a topical application in mumps and other inflammatory glandular enlargements.

(Ahmed, F., & Urooj, A. (2010). Traditional uses, medicinal properties, and phytopharmacology of Ficus racemosa: A review. Pharmaceutical biology, 48(6), 672-681.)