haemostatic, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer agent and also in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and in the treatment of skin

Ficus bengalensis Linn is a large evergreen tree found throughout India. It is commonly called Banyan tree. This tree is considered to be sacred in some places. It is used in traditional system of medicine like ayurveda, siddha, unani and homoeopathy. The active compounds isolated from this plant are considered to be very effective in various treatments such as dysentery, diarrhoea, diabetes, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, nervous disorders, tonic and astringent. According to Ayurvedic system of medicine Ficus bengalensis is widely used in diabetes. This paper reports on its traditional, phytochemical and pharmacognostic properties such as antioxidant, anticancer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of Ficus bengalensis.