Ficus Bengalensis
Also known as: Ficus benghalensis L., Banyan tree, Indian banyan, Bengal fig, Ficus benghalensis
Overview
Ficus benghalensis, commonly known as the Banyan tree, is a large, long-lived fig tree native to the Indian subcontinent, distinguished by its expansive canopy and aerial roots. Various parts of the tree, including the bark, leaves, and aerial roots, have been extensively utilized in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda, for a range of conditions such as neurological, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic disorders. As a supplement, it is typically available in the form of extracts (e.g., methanolic, aqueous) derived from its bark or aerial roots. Current research on F. benghalensis is in its early stages, primarily consisting of preclinical animal studies and phytochemical analyses. While these studies show promising results, robust clinical evidence from human trials is still limited. The existing evidence is mostly derived from in vitro and in vivo animal models, with a notable absence of rigorous human trials or systematic reviews specifically focusing on F. benghalensis.
Benefits
Preclinical studies suggest several potential benefits of *Ficus benghalensis*: - **Neurological Effects:** Methanolic bark extract has demonstrated significant memory-enhancing, anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), and antidepressant effects in rat models. Doses of 100-300 mg/kg improved spatial learning and memory retention in various maze tests and reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors in behavioral tests (Malik et al., 2020). This aligns with traditional claims for neurological ailments. - **Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Potential:** The extract is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, and phenolics, which contribute to its antioxidant activity. This antioxidant capacity is believed to underlie its neuroprotective and anxiolytic effects by reducing oxidative stress markers and increasing beneficial compounds like glutathione (Alam et al., 2025). - **Anticancer Potential (Genus-wide):** While *F. benghalensis* specifically has limited direct research, other *Ficus* species exhibit cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. This suggests a potential for anticancer bioactivity within the *Ficus* genus, warranting further investigation for *F. benghalensis* (Cabanlit et al., 2025). - **Traditional Uses:** Indian *Ficus* species, including *F. benghalensis*, are traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. These traditional uses are supported by the presence of various phytochemicals such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols (Chakraborty et al., 2022). The strength of evidence for these benefits is primarily from preclinical animal studies and traditional use, with a lack of human clinical trials.
How it works
The therapeutic effects of *Ficus benghalensis* are attributed to its rich phytochemical composition and their interactions with various biological pathways. The anxiolytic and antidepressant effects are hypothesized to involve the modulation of neurotransmitter systems, potentially enhancing GABAergic activity through chloride channel opening, a mechanism observed in related *Ficus* species. Its antioxidant compounds play a crucial role by reducing oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH), thereby contributing to neuroprotection. The diverse array of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, are believed to interact with multiple molecular targets, including enzymes and receptors involved in inflammation and neuronal signaling. Genomic studies also indicate gene duplications related to longevity and stress resistance, which may correlate with the synthesis pathways of these bioactive compounds.
Side effects
Currently, there is a significant lack of high-quality clinical safety data specifically for *Ficus benghalensis* extracts in humans. While animal studies have reported no acute toxicity at tested doses (up to 300 mg/kg in rats), these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to human safety. Traditional use suggests a general safety profile, but this does not preclude the possibility of adverse effects in all individuals, especially given modern extraction methods and concentrated forms. Potential side effects such as allergic reactions or interactions with central nervous system (CNS) depressants cannot be ruled out, as the plant's compounds may modulate neurotransmitter systems. Specifically, due to its hypothesized GABAergic modulation, there is a plausible, though unstudied, risk of interactions with anxiolytics or antidepressants, potentially potentiating their effects. Contraindications for specific populations (e.g., pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those with pre-existing medical conditions) are not established due to insufficient research. Therefore, caution is advised, and individuals should consult a healthcare professional before using *Ficus benghalensis*, particularly if they are on other medications or have underlying health issues.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established human dosing guidelines for *Ficus benghalensis* due to the absence of clinical trials. Preclinical studies in rats have utilized methanolic bark extract doses ranging from 100-300 mg/kg, demonstrating efficacy in neurological models. However, these animal dosages cannot be directly translated to human equivalents without further research. Factors such as the specific extract preparation method (e.g., methanolic vs. aqueous), the concentration of active compounds, and bioavailability can significantly influence efficacy and safety, none of which are standardized for human use. The timing and duration of administration in animal studies varied from acute to subchronic (days to weeks). Without human clinical data, minimum effective doses, maximum safe doses, and upper limits for human consumption remain undefined. Therefore, any use of *Ficus benghalensis* as a supplement should be approached with caution and ideally under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
FAQs
Is Ficus benghalensis safe for human use?
While traditional use suggests general safety, rigorous clinical safety data for *Ficus benghalensis* in humans are currently lacking. Animal studies show no acute toxicity at tested doses, but human-specific safety profiles are not established.
Does it work for anxiety or memory?
Animal studies have shown promising anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and memory-enhancing effects. However, these findings are from preclinical models, and human clinical evidence is needed to confirm these benefits.
How quickly do benefits appear?
In animal models, observed effects on neurological parameters typically appeared after days to weeks of consistent administration. The onset of effects in humans is unknown due to a lack of clinical trials.
Are there known drug interactions?
Potential interactions with central nervous system (CNS)-active drugs, such as anxiolytics or antidepressants, are plausible due to its hypothesized GABAergic modulation. However, these interactions are currently unstudied in humans.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7143763/ – This animal study (Malik et al., 2020) investigated the methanolic bark extract of *Ficus benghalensis* in rats. It found significant memory-enhancing, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects at doses of 100-300 mg/kg, supporting traditional claims for neurological benefits. The study also performed phytochemical analysis, confirming the presence of neuroactive compounds.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/09731296241281440 – This systematic review (Alam et al., 2025) focused on *Ficus* species in neurological disorders, highlighting anxiolytic effects, particularly via GABAergic modulation and antioxidant mechanisms. It included animal studies on *F. benghalensis* aerial root extracts showing anxiolytic effects, supporting its neuroprotective potential while emphasizing the need for human clinical trials.
- https://www.herbmedpharmacol.com/PDF/jhp-14-133.pdf – This systematic review (Cabanlit et al., 2025) explored the anticancer potential of various *Ficus* species. While not directly focusing on *F. benghalensis* clinical data, it consistently found in vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction by bioactive compounds from the genus, providing mechanistic insights into potential anticancer properties.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9508489/ – This genomic analysis (Chakraborty et al., 2022) of *Ficus benghalensis* revealed gene duplications associated with longevity and stress resistance. This foundational work provides an evolutionary basis for the plant's ability to produce bioactive compounds, supporting further pharmacological exploration of its therapeutic potential.
