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Medicinal Importance of Ficus Exasperata

Ficus exasperata is the scientific name for a tree--native to sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and India--that is also known as Brahma's banyan, sandpaper fig and rough banyan. The highly textured leaf surface is credited for the "sandpaper" and "rough" descriptors. Exasperata leaves have been used in traditional medicine throughout the tree's native habitat. A liquid is prepared by soaking the leaves in water, or boiling and straining them.

  1. Hypertension

    • The effects of Ficus exasperata on hypertension sufferers has been documented by Western science. Pharmacologists from the University of Benin in Nigeria prepared their own fluid extracts from leaves and administered them to rabbit test subjects. A measurable reduction in mean blood pressure was observed.

    Arthritis

    • Researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology in Ghana tested the anti-arthritic effects claimed by homeopathic healers. Leaf extract was again tested, and administered orally to lab animals with arthritic limbs. A significant reduction in swelling and spreading of arthritis was observed. The extract's antioxidant properties were proven in this research, and believed to contribute to the effect.

    Peptic Ulcers

    • In 1998, a panel of experts drawn from several Nigerian universities tested the effect of exasperata leaves on stomach ulcers. They found it to be preventative of ulcer formation, and generally effective in reducing acidity and volume of gastric juices. The report specifically noted that the findings were in line with local health claims.

    Pre-term Labor

    • One health claim that did not fare well under scientific scrutiny was the use of bark extracts from the exasperata to stop uterine muscle contractions in pre-term labor. The bark was dried and crushed into powder, then steeped into a liquid according to traditional practices. The resulting extract showed very little effect in preventing uterine muscle contractions induced by oxytocin.

    Availability

    • The native range of the Ficus exasperata is confined to extremely wet rain forest environments in the Eastern Hemisphere. There is no indication that it has ever been grown in North America, either outdoors or in climate-controlled indoor environments. At present, it does not appear to be an ingredient in any commercially available health remedies.

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