Sacred Fig Tree

Figs are consumed as famine food and fodder, it is also used as firewood while the greyish white, moderately durable wood is occasionally converted into packing cases, cheap boarding, yokes, spoons, and bowls. The bark is used in tanning while birdlime can be prepared from its milky juice. In addition, leaves and twigs are an alternative antidote against bites of venomous animals, and can also be used as aphrodisiac, astringent, antigonorrhoeal, and laxative in some communities.

Meanwhile, the fresh sap from leaves is used in treating diarrhea, cholera as well as in wound healing. The infusion of the bark is also found to be antidiabetic while the decoction is used as a skin wash to treat scabies, ulcers, and other skin diseases. The tree is occasionally planted for amenity purposes due to its aesthetic shape and form. The sacred fig tree is mostly planted near Buddhist temples as it is referred to as sacred in India. Hindus associate the tree with fertility in women.

In the Philippines, this can be found cultivated or naturally growing in some parts of Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Cebu.

Here in our Sintang Paaralan, this tree species can be found near the PUP Tahanan ng Alumni, at the back of PUP Laboratory High School, and the largest Ficus religiosa with a tree girth of approximately 15 meters in basal diameter is found at the back of Gabriela building which has been said to be growing in that place since 1971!