A COMPREHENSIVE LITERARY REVIEW OF VATA – FICUS BENGHALENSIS LINN

Abstract

Vata (Ficus benghalensis Linn) is a large evergreen tree with numerous horizontally spreading branches that throws down aerial roots that may touch ground. It is described as an immensely useful medicinal plant because most of its parts like stem bark, root bark, aerial roots, leaves, tender leaves, leaf bud, fruit and latex possess therapeutic potency. The stem bark of Vata is commonly used along with barks of Aswatha, Plaksha, Udumbara and Parisha which constitue Panchavalkala. A thorough literary review of Ayurvedic text books, pharmacognosy textbooks and published research articles has been undertaken to compile more information about the drug. The drug has been described beautifully by a handful of synonyms like nyagrodha, padaroha, raktaphala etc in nighantus. Its pharmacological properties include kashaya rasa, guru, ruksha guna, katu vipaka and seeta veerya. The drug is Kaphapitta samaka in action and proves effective in yonidosha, raktapradara, raktapitta, pumsavana, vrana, visarpa, daha, jwara, sopha and twakroga. Pharmacological activities of Vata like antidiarrhoeal, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antidiabetic etc have been understood from various experimental studies.

Key words: Vata (Ficus benghalensis Linn), Ayurvedic drug review, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacological activities