Abstract

Ficus benghalensis is remarkable tree native to India. It is commonly known as banyan tree. It contributes to business, religious and medicinal purposes. The classical literature of Siddha system of Indian medicine depicts the use of ashes of its leaves especially yellow matured leaves to heal the various ailments like skin diseases, chronic diseases etc. The ash obtained from matured yellow leaves of Ficus benghalensis mixed with sesame oil is used in the treatment of skin disorders as per Siddha system of Indian medicine. Hence an attempt was made to analyse the ash of Ficus benghalensis in both yellow matured as well as green leaves for exploring the mineral constituents through instrumental characterization such as scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectrometery, X-ray fluorescence spectrometery, powder X-ray diffractometery and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. In this study, the presence of various elements such as calcium and potassium as major elements, magnesium, sodium, iron, boron, zinc and copper as minor elements were detected in the ash of leaves of Ficus benghalensis. Ashes of both green and yellow leaves of Ficus benghalensis have minor variations in the contents of mineral composition.