Pimpal / पिंपळ / Sacred Fig / Peepal / Ficus religiosa

Other Names

  • Local Name: Pimpal / पिंपळ
  • Common Name: Sacred Fig / Peepal
  • Botanical Name: Ficus religiosa

Status & Habitat

  • Status: Common. Cultivable
  • Habitat: Tree
  • Occurrence: Deep, alluvial sandy loam with good drainage; shallow soils including rock crevices
  • Season of Availability: Summer season
  • Geography: Indian subcontinent
  • Method of Propagation: Seed and vegetative propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds and stem cutting. Air layering

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Bark
  • Can be Eaten Raw: Leaves and fruits, yes.

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes
  • Ripe: Yes
  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw rest of the plant.
  • As Food: Leaves are eaten raw after washing; fruits are eaten raw and ripe; bark and leaf powder may be consumed with water.
  • As Medicine: Stem bark decoction is applied to wounds; leaf paste is applied to mouth ulcers; sap is applied to eczema.
  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Not required
  • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required
  • Pickling: Yes
  • Brining: N/A
  • Fermenting: N/A
  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A
  • Overall Method: Leaves are eaten raw after washing; fruits are eaten raw and ripe; bark and leaf powder may be consumed with water.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Rich in calcium.
  • Medicinal Benefit: Uterine Ailments, Excessive menstrual bleeding, Leucorrhea, Aphrodisiac, Constipation

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Stem bark decoction is applied to wounds; leaf paste is applied to mouth ulcers; sap is applied to eczema.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Peepal sabji:
    Wash the leaves and boil till soft. Add buttermilk to the leaves, according to taste. Add a little water and cook till the water is absorbed. Add salt. Serve with rice.