Rasa (Taste)
Kashaya
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Vata (Banayan tree)
The Banyan reaches a height of up to 30 metres (100 feet) and spreads laterally indefinitely.
Medicinal Plant
Vata (Banayan tree)
Ficus benghalensis · Moraceae
The Banyan reaches a height of up to 30 metres (100 feet) and spreads laterally indefinitely.
Scientific Name
Ficus benghalensis
Family
Moraceae
Hindi Name
Bargad, Baragad
Used Part
Twak (bark), Patra (leaves), Ksheera (latex)
Botanical Description
About the Vata Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
The Banyan reaches a height of up to 30 metres (100 feet) and spreads laterally indefinitely. Aerial roots that develop from its branches descend and take root in the soil to become new trunks.
The leaves of the banyan tree are large, leathery, glossy, green and elliptical. Like most figs, the leaf bud is covered by two large scales. As the leaf develops the scales abscise. Young leaves have an attractive reddish tinge
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Guru, Ruksha
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kaphapitta Shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Stambhana, Vrana ropana, Kashaya, Kaphahara, Dantya
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Anti diabetic, Antioxidant, Hypocholesterolemic
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Beta-sitosterol, D-glucoside, leucoanthocyanin, tiglic acid, vitamin-k, stigmasterol , sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, chromium, copper and phosphorous.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Vata
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Banyan is useful for sunburn - applying Banyan bark paste on affected area gives an excellent cooling effect and reduces burning sensation.
02
Leucorrhea - it shows a good result in leucorrhea because of its Kashaya (astringent) property. 3 . Banyan is an effective herb to control bleeding when applied on skin cuts and injuries.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Vata is a key ingredient.
- Nyagrodhadi churna , Panchavalkala kwatha , panchavalkala phanta
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
वटः शीतो गुरुर्ग्रही कफपित्तव्रणापहः । वर्णो विसर्पदाहघ्नः कषायो योनिदोषहृत् ||