Botanical Name
Ficus carica L.
Family
Moraceae.
Synonyms
Caprificus insectifera Gasp., Caprificus leucocarpa Gasp., Caprificus oblongata Gasp., Caprificus pedunculata (Miq.) Gasp.,Caprificus rugosa (Miq.) Gasp., Ficus albescens Miq., Ficus caprificus Risso, Ficus colchica Grossh., Ficus hypoleuca Gasp., Ficus latifolia Salisb., Ficus macrocarpa Gasp.Ficus silvestris Risso.
Regional Name
English : Fig,
Hindi : Anjeer, Anjir,
Sanskrit : Anjir,
Urdu : Anjeer,
Marathi : Anjeer,
Tamil : Simaiyatti,
Kannada : Anjura,
Telugu : Anjuru,
Bengali : Anjir,
Gujarati : Anjir,
Marathi : Anjir.
Part Used
Fruit.
Description
The Anjeer tree is native to Asia Minor, globally distributed in tropical and subtropical countries. It is now cultivated chiefly in the Mediterranean region. Commercially it is grown in parts of U.S.A. and Chile and, to a small extent, in Arabia, Persia, India, China and Japan. Within India it is grown in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Mysore, and mostly grown scattered in gardens or in home yards. Anjeer is a
gynodioecious deciduous tree or large
shrub, growing to a height of 7–10 metres (23–33 ft), with smooth white
bark. Its fragrant
leaves are 12–25 centimetres (4.7–9.8 in) long and 10–18 centimetres (3.9–7.1 in) across, and deeply lobed with three or five lobes. The fruit is 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) long, with a green skin, sometimes ripening towards purple or brown.
Phytoconstituents
It contains diverse
polyphenols such as
gallic acid,
chlorogenic acid,
syringic acid,
(+)-catechin,
(−)-epicatechin,
rutin,
anthocyanins,
cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, phytosterols, organic acids, anthocyanin, triterpenoids, coumarins and phenolic compounds.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Kasaya,
Guna : Guru, Snigdha,
Vipaka : Madhura,
Virya : Usna,
Karma : Dipana, Grahi, Rucya, Vatahara, Pacana.
Ayurvedic Applications
Anaha, Arsa, Grdhrasi, Gandamala, Gulma, Kandu, Kaphavataja roga, Krmi, Kustha, Sotha, Prameha, Udara , Udavarta.
Medicinal Uses
It is used in respiratory problems, digestive problems, gout, infantile liver, piles
constipation and diarrhoea. It is effective in removing the gravel (stones) from the bladder and the kidneys treatment. It is also used in leucoderma (white spots on the dermis-skin). It is also used for leprosy, sores, ulcers, scabs, bruises, dog bites, dropsy, and epilepsy. Anjeer leaf is used for
diabetes,
high cholesterol, and
skin conditions such as
eczema,
psoriasis, and
vitiligo.