10 Top Benefits & Uses Of Athipalam | Gular Tree

gular tree health benefits

Popularly called Athipalam | Athipazham | அத்திப்பழம் | Athi Fruit in Tamil and Gular Fruit in Hindi, these fruits have amazing health benefits. In fact, all parts of the athi tree have medicinal uses. I am sure everyone will be very familiar with regular figs (Ficus carica) we get in the markets but there is an Indian variety of fig tree called Gular Tree (North India) | Athipalam Tree (South India) | Udumbara (Sanskrit) that many of us are not familar off.

It produces ample fruits (but much smaller) in clusters, closer to the trunk. The botanical name of gular tree is Ficus Racemosa and it is commonly called Cluster Fig | Indian Fig | Gular Fig in English. Athipalam has been used in all 4 major branches (Ayurveda, Unanai, Homeopathy and Siddha) of medicine in India from ancient times!

Athi Palam Tree | Gular Tree:

Athipalam tree is very commonly found in India and has been used for medicinal purposes from ancient times. Athipalam tree is native to India, South East Asia and Australia.

This tree is medium to large sized and can be found growing throughout India, it is considered very sacred in India and is grown both in homes and temples. You can also find this tree in evergreen forests, river banks and usually you will find it in many villages as it offers both fruits and shade.

The fruits are dull red in color when ripe and usually a single tree will produce ample fruits. The flowers are referred to as gular ka phool in Hindi. Though the tree produces ample fruits, you will rarely find the fresh fruits in the markets as most of the fruits are usually infested with worms.

gular tree uses

Athipalam (Gular Fruit) Common Names:

The fruits are called Athipazham | Athipalam in Tamil and the tree is called Athi Maram in Tamil (though ficus carica is also referred to as athipazham, ficus racemosa is the one called athi from ancient times), Gular in Hindi, Udumbar in Sanskrit, Audumbar | Umbar in Marathi, Aththi in Malayalam, Rhumbad in Konkani, Guular in Punjabi, Atti Mara in Kannada, Umbaro | Goolar in Gujarati, Dumar in Urdu, Attikka in Sinhala, Dumur in Bengali, Dumri in Nepali and Dimri in Oriya.

Athipalam (Gular Fruit) Nutritional Value: 

Athipalam is very high in vitamin B2, iron, copper, potassium and magnesium. We have a huge athipalam tree in our farm that produces ample fruits, it is wonderful to look at the cluster of ripe red fruits hanging from the tree. According to Ayurveda, athipalam promotes physical strength and is a body coolant.

Athipalam Tree Traditional Uses:

Almost all parts of the tree including bark, fruits and latex are generally used for medicinal purposes but the bark followed by fruits are the most used parts. The leaves and bark are also used in spiritual practices, the bark is used in homam fire.

Traditionally athipalam tree has been used for treating dysentery, mumps, piles, swelling of ears, mouth disorders, stomach pain, fistula, dysuria, burning sensation, ulcers and urinary disorders.

gular leaves health benefitsAthipalam Tree Medicinal Uses:

1. Athipalam For Diabetes:

Athiapalam has blood sugar lowering properties. The stem bark when taken as a decoction has blood sugar lowering properties, you can read the study that proves this claim here.

2. Hypolipidemic Properties:

Both the stem bark and the fruit have hypolipidemic properties. If you are suffering from high cholesterol, try including this fruit in the diet regularly. The above study proves this claim too.

3. Anti Bacterial & Anti Fungal Properties:

Athipalam has been used externally for treating skin diseases from ancient times, this is due to its wonderful antibacterial and anti fungal properties. We can apply the fruit paste to treat skin infections, you can read the study that proves it here. It also has antioxidant and cytotoxic properties too.

4.  Wound Healing Properties:

Almost all the parts of the tree including the roots, leaves, stem and the fruits have wound healing properties, this is the reason that the decoction of any part of the tree is used for treating wounds. You can read the wound healing activity of the leaf extract here.

5.  Antidiarrhoeal Properties:

Athipalam bark decoction is one of the best home remedies that has been popularly used in village sides for treating diarrhea. Even the leaves possess antidiarrheal properties, the water decoction is usually taken.

6. Anti Inflammatory Properties:

Athipalam possess very good anti inflammatory properties and traditionally the bark extract is applied externally to treat all kinds of inflammation. You can read about the anti inflammatory properties here.

7. Athipalam For Anemia:

Since the fruits are high in iron, people who are suffering from anemia will greatly benefit from eating the fruits regularly. Consume at least 2 fruits per day to see results.

8. Anti Ulcer Properties:

Both athipalam fruits and the leaf extract possess anti ulcer properties. If you are suffering from gastric ulcer, try consuming athipalam regularly, you can read the study that proves this use here.

9. Analgesic and Antipyretic Properties:

The bark extract has both fever reducing and pain relieving properties, a cup of the water decoction of the athipalam bark will greatly relieve pain and inflammation. They also relieve us of burning sensation.

10. Anti Carcinogenic Properties:

Athipalam extract also possess strong antioxidant and anti cancer properties. Since we can find athipalam tree all over India, I would kindly suggest getting to know and using this wonderful tree at home. I have given different ways to use it at home below.

gular tree health benefitsAthipalam Dosage:

The general suggested dosage for the bark decoction is around 2 to 3 tbsp. There is no general suggested dosage for athipalam fruits but like with any ingredient, it is best had in moderation.

Athipalam Side Effects:

Athipalam has a very cooling effect on the body so people with sinus problems should be careful while consuming large amounts of the fruit. It also reduces blood sugar levels so diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar levels closely when consuming it regularly.

Medicinal Uses & Health Benefits Of Athipalam | Gular Tree: 

1. Athipalam Tree Leaf Decoction: 

a. The leaf decoction has wonderful anti bacterial and wound healing properties. For making the decoction, tear the leaves into pieces and boil in water till the color changes.

gular leaves health benefits

b. Strain and use the water to wash the wounds.

gular leaves health benefits

2. Athipalam Juice:  

The fresh fruit drink is very very good for relieving fatigue, improving immunity and general strength. For the drink, collect fresh ripe athipalam fruits. Cut in half and check for any insects and then grind it together with milk and honey, a wonderful drink for children!

athipalam juice health benefits

3. Athipalam Tree Bark Decoction: 

Athipalam tree bark decoction has multiple uses as it has the most medicinal uses. This decoction can be used as a gargle for sore throat. When consumed, it reduces high blood sugar levels and is also a good remedy for dysentry, fever, inflammation and pain!

For the decoction take a small bark of athipalam tree and boil it in water and strain. Usually the dosage is around 2 to 3 tbsp of the decoction. The bark can also be rubbed on a sandalwood stone along with little water and applied for treating mosquito bites and skin problems like acne and freckles.

attikka tree health benefits

4. Athipalam Unripe Fruit Pachadi: 

a. Unripe athipalam fruits are usually pickled and used in gravies but this practice is slowly diminishing, I would kindly suggest not giving up on these old traditions. This pachadi has a cooling effect on the body and is perfect for hot summers.

It is also very very good for the stomach especially, people suffering from gastric ulcers will greatly benefit from it. For the pachadi, take fully developed but unripe athipalam fruits. Don’t use too unripe fruits, they won’t taste good. Cut the fruit in half and then into quarters.

athipalam health benefits

b. Check for insects and remove the inner fibrous part with a sharp knife.

athi fruit health benefits

c. Boil in water till they turn soft.

athipazham uses

d. Mash the cooked fruits using a fork.

athipalam in English

e. Add finely cut shallots, green chilies, salt and thick homemade curd and mix well.  You can also add tadka to the pachadi. For the tadka, heat little oil in a small pan, once hot add mustard and once it splutters add curry leaves and then add to the pachadi. Have this pachadi along with rice in summers.

audumbar fruit health benefits

5. Athipalam Tree Latex:

If you break the leaves or the fruits a milky latex will flow out, the latex can be used for treating wounds and boils.

athi tree health benefits


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