MULTAN: Peepal (Sacred Fig Tree) not only helps in Carbon Dioxide fixation, but also cures from different diseases besides blood purification, BZU professor Forestry & Range Management Department, Dr Muhammad Zubair said.
Talking to reporter here on Friday, he informed that its fruit can be used for appetite improvement while its leaves can be used for animal fodder as well as curing skin issues (Eczema) and stomach pains.
He stated that seeds could be used for blood purification and its bark cured teeth and liver problems adding that when branches of Peepal tree touch the ground, these turn into a new plant.
Buddist and Hidus considered it a “sacred tree” as they believe Budhha worshiped under it, Dr Zubar said and added that it has a bigger canopy than other trees of its fig family and is a shady tree.
Replying to a question, the Professor of Forestry maintained that it had low timber quality as compared to Shisham and Arjun adding that it is mostly grown in rural areas of the country.
Botanical name of peepal is Ficus Religiosa and it belonged to the Moraceae family, he said and added that some of the commercially important trees in Multan are Shisham, kikar, Jaman, Mulberry, Shirin, Sukh Chain and Arjun etc.