Pipal (Ficus religiosa)-The Wonder Tree

Pipal tree (Ficus religiosa) is a native tree of India. It is unrivalled in antiquity and religious significance. It is a long lived tree. The oldest tree is in Sri Lanka, said to be planted in the year 288 B.C. It is still alive and thriving. It mainly grows in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

Papal is a fast growing large tree. It has a large crown with wide spreading branches. It is a deciduous tree. Leaves are shed in the months of March and April.

The leaves are heart shaped, hang from a long flexible petiole (stalk). They rustle in slightest of the breeze. Leaves are leathery, 4-8 inches long and 3-5 inches wide. They are somewhat egg shaped or rounded, heart shaped at the base with a tailed tip.

The young leaves are often pink colored, change to copper and finally to lustrous green. The grand Pipal tree is a perfect shade tree during summers.




In villages, village people often hold meetings under the shade of the tree and also rest under its cool shade. The stem is large and pale. Numerous roots fuse with the main stem providing a fluted look to the tree. Old branches often bear tufts of fine hanging roots.


Flowers are minute and born inside a fleshy flask shaped receptacle and belong to group of figs. The young fruits are green and on ripening become red/purple colored. The fruits are eaten by squirrels, birds and bats. The seeds pass through the intestine unharmed and are dispersed by bird droppings. As a result, Pipal trees are common in most unlikely of the place, like atop the walls if old buildings, forts and other historical monuments.

Pipal tree can be easily propagated through the seeds and stem cuttings. It can grow in all types of soil. Young trees require proper care and nourishment. Once established, it is very difficult to remove a papal tree. It has great power of regeneration. A new Pipal tree will grow from even a few left out pieces of roots in a crevice. Being scared the trees are seldom removed from parapets of old wall and other places. The growing roots often cause great damage to the monuments.


Pipal tree is of great cultural importance in India. In Hindu mythology it is associated with the birth of Brahma. It is considered to be the abode of Brahma ,Vishnu and Mahesh. Buddhist regard it as personification of Lord Buddha, who attained enlightenment under the Pipal tree. It is, therefore, called ‘Bo’ or ‘Bodhi’ tree. Pipal is symbolic of enlightenment and peace. People tie sacred red thread around it and pray for wellbeing of their children, also for grant of progeny and parenthood.

Pipal tree is of great medicinal value as well and has been extensively used in Ayurveda. The leaves are laxative and a tonic. They relieve fever, arrest bleeding and secretions. The leave are also used in the treatment of heart disease. They are useful in palpitation of heart and cardiac weakness. The juice of the leaves is used as ear drops. The bark is cooling and astringent. Powdered bark is used in the treatment of inflammation and glandular swellings of the neck. The root bark is used for the treatment of stomatitus and ulcers. It promotes granulation and is used as an astringent in Leucorrhea. It is also used for the treatment of gout. Chewing of hanging roots prevents gum diseases. The fruits promote digestion, are laxative, aphrodisiac and prevent vomiting. Ripe fruits are an antidote or defensive remedy against poison, venom and infections (alexipharmic). The fruits are good for foul taste, thirst and heart disease. The seeds have a cooling effect and are astringent as well as laxative. Seeds are also used in urinary trouble.

All trees release oxygen during day time and carbon dioxide during night. It has been scientifically proved that Pipal is the only tree that releases oxygen day and night. Indian Rishes and Munis recognized this fact long ago and initiated the worship of this wonderful tree as divine tree. May be a large scale plantation can help restore the environmental balance.