Ficus platyphylla is a popular herb among the Fulani herders of Nigeria because of its great benefits, and its use for stopping diarrhea in their cows. It is locally called Gamji by the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria, Epo-obo among the Yoruba people, and commonly called gutta percha. The plant is more popular in the Northern part Nigeria, and is widely distributed among the savannah regions of Africa.
The roots, stem bark, leaves and fruits of ficus platyphylla possess great health benefits for different diseases, ranging from abdominal pain to neuronal diseases. Most times all the parts of the tree are mixed together made into a tea, alcoholic or water decoction for fertility or treatment of certain infections. The tree is quite loaded and you would appreciate it if you could take your time and read through the article.
Health benefits of ficus platyphylla
Ficus platyphylla is quite rich in bioactive phytochemical such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins phenols, terpenes, polyphenols, and volatile oil, among others, which constitute its broad health benefits against different form of health complications.
Ficus platyphylla improves female fertility
In recent times there has been alarming infertility rate among both men and women. Because of this so many local women have resorted to herbal remedies for infertility treatment. This is partly due to the high cost purchasing conventional medications, and also the unavailability of those drugs. Ficus platyphylla is one of the herbal remedies with fertility benefits. Another such herbal remedy is spearmint tea.
In Sokoto and other states in the Northern part of Nigeria, Gamji is used to treat infertility. The leaves, stem bark, and roots are usually mixed in a decoction and given to the woman to drink. In order to prove the claim of the local healers, there have been scientific study on the anti-infertility activity of the plant. According to Ugwah-Oguejiofor and her colleagues concluded that the plant stem extract ficus platyphylla seems to promote fertility by maintaining uterine integrity and increasing the number of pups in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain without any noticeable teratogenic effect.
If you are looking for ways to improve fertility, or bring an end to infertility, you may combine ficus platyphylla and fertility leaves and make a decoction with them. You may as well add their dry powder to your liquid milk and drink raw.
Benefits of ficus platyphylla on gastrointestinal diseases
Among the Fulani herders gamji leaves have been used to stop diarrhea in their cows. This benefit of ficus platyphylla leaves is not limited to animals; it has also been used to stop diarrhea in humans. It is also used for the treatment of Ulcer and to prevent constipation.
The juice of gamji leaves may be combine with other herbs such cabbage juice and taken orally for effective treatment of ulcer and other gastrointestinal diseases. This is because both plants have been fronted among traditional healers for gastrointestinal diseases.
The high fiber content of both plants may be the reason for the anti-constipation activity, while the anti-ulcer and gastroprotective effect may be attributed to the rich steroid and polyphenol content of the ficus platyphylla. Another Remedy for Ulcer i would recommend anytime and anywhere for ulcer and gastrointestinal diseases is cabbage juice.
Benefits of ficus platyphylla stem bark on convulsion
Convulsion can be deadly, most of the times. It is caused by a blockage in the GABAergic inhibitory pathways, and can manifest as a sudden , but violent movement of the body, as a result of the involuntary contraction of muscles. Most times, especially among children, convulsion is caused by high fever or an epileptic condition.
The stem back of focus platypyhlla has been pointed out to possess great benefits for management of epilepsy and convulsion among children. The stem bark possess a saponin compound that enhance GABA-mediated inhibition in the brain. According to a study conducted by Ben Chindo and others, the anticonvulsant effects of Ficus platyphylla may be through the inhibition of T-type Ca2+ currents or by blockage of glutamatergic neurotransmission mediated by NMDA receptor.
Beneficial for wound healing
In traditional medicine, the stem bark of Ficus platyphylla is made into a paste and applied topically on the wound surface. This is because of the popular claim the plant hasten the healing of wounds. But this isn’t a baseless claim; science has actually proved that the ficus stem bark possess ulcer and wound healing capacity.
Some other plants with wound healing capacity include bitter kola, Indian turnsole and Bryophyllum pinnata.
Ficus platyphylla possess antioxidant properties
One of the major cause of autoimmune diseases is oxidative stress and toxicants. These agents cause the increased release of free radicals, which then attack the cells and the immune system. In most cases, the glutathione which is a natural antioxidant may not be enough to scavenge the free radicals released in our body. Luckily, the plant extract of ficus platyphylla possess strong antioxidant properties that scavenge free radicals, reverse autoimmune diseases caused by oxidative stress and restore youthfulness to your body.
Benefits of Ficus platyphylla on the liver
The liver remains the central processing unit of the body, this exposes it to several toxic agents that cause increased release of free radicals and eventual death of hepatic cells and DNA damages, which are caused by the attack of the increased free radicals. The antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect effect of ficus platyphylla makes it a great home remedy for managing hepatic toxicity. Ficus platyphylla extract may also be beneficial for those treating hepatitis viral infections.
Ficus is used in treating urinary tract infection
Both the stem bark and leaves of gutta percha have been used n the treatment sexually transmitted diseases like staphylococcus aureus, bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. Some studies however proved that the plant does not possess activity against resistant strains.
Conclusion
Ficus platyphylla is a beneficial plant with several health benefits. It is strongly used to improve fertility and stop diarrhea. In Northern Nigeria, the stem bark is made into a paste and applied to wounds.
References
Ugwah-Oguejiofor, Chinenye & Bello, Shaibu & Okolo, Raymond & Etuk, Emmanuel & Ugwah, Michael & Igbokwe, Vincent. (2011). Ficus platyphylla promotes fertility in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain: A preliminary study. Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E. 9. 145. 10.1186/1477-7827-9-145.
Chindo, Ben & Anuka, Joseph & Mcneil, Lily & Yaro, Ah & Adamu, Simon & Amos, Samson & Connelly, William & Gamaniel, Karniyus. (2009). Anticonvulsant properties of saponins from Ficus platyphylla stem bark. Brain research bulletin. 78. 276-82. 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2008.12.005.
Chindo, Ben & Anuka, Joseph & Mcneil, Lily & Yaro, Ah & Adamu, Simon & Amos, Samson & Connelly, William & Gamaniel, Karniyus. (2009). Anticonvulsant properties of saponins from Ficus platyphylla stem bark. Brain research bulletin. 78. 276-82. 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2008.12.005.
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