Vad / वड / Banyan Tree / Ficus benghalensis L.

  • Local Name: Vad / वड
  • Common Name: Banyan Tree
  • Botanical Name: Ficus benghalensis L.

Status & Habitat

  • Status: Abundant

  • Habitat: Tree

  • Occurrence: Hilly areas, Open areas, Deciduous forest areas, Cultivated areas

  • Season of Availability: Year-round

  • Geography: Indian subcontinent

  • Method of Propagation: Vegetative propagation. Seed Propagation through birds and animals who consume fruits

  • Part used for Propagation: Stem Cuttings

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Fruits

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Fruits

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes, in limited quantities

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Leaves. Fruit to a small extent.

  • As Food: N/A

  • As Medicine: Ripe fruits are eaten raw to relieve pain and swelling. BArk tonic is used for diabetes. Aerial roots are used to clean teeth to prevent toothaches and gum diseases

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: N/A

  • Boiling Before Cooking: N/A

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Fruits can be eaten raw. However, they are barely edible as they do not taste good.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Fruit is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals

  • Medicinal Benefit: Anti-diabetic, Dental and gum diseases, Fever reducer, Vomiting, Aphrodisiac, Cholera & Dysentery

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Apply the plant's sap to wounds to reduce swelling; a decoction of the leaf buds can be made to treat nausea and diarrhea

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: To make a decoction of the bark, crush a paste of pieces of the tree's bark, then heat and boil.