Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Unani
Hairy fig (Ficus hispida), of the Moraceae family. Small rough-leaved tree bearing clusters of hairy yellow figs directly on the trunk and on leafless hanging branches; native range: moist forest, stream banks and village edges across India, Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Globally recognized as phalgu · kākodumbara · malapū in Sanskrit, kathgular · gobla in Hindi, anjeer dashti in Urdu, and hairy fig, devil fig, opposite-leaved fig in English. The part used is fruit; bark; root. Rough hairy figs, dull yellow when ripe; the bark astringent and puckering on the tongue, the fresh parts bleeding a thin white latex.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
HAIRY FIG
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- hairy fig
- Scientific name
- Ficus hispida L.f.
- Family
- Moraceae
Form
- Part used
- fruit; bark; root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- astringent (kashaya) · sweet (madhura) · bitter (tikta)
- Unani
- astringent
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- cooling (shita)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- intestines · liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- grahi and stambhana (checks the loose bowel), raktastambhaka (checks bleeding), pittashamaka (pacifies pitta), vranaropana (heals wounds), stanyajanana (raises the milk), vamaka (the fruit and bark emetic in fuller dose)
- Unani
- qabiz (astringent), habis-ud-dam (checks bleeding), mundamil-e-qurooh (heals ulcers)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- vata disorders and constipation, where the astringent drug binds; pregnancy
- Toxicity
- the bark and unripe fruit in fuller dose are emetic and bring nausea and vomiting; the latex irritates the skin and the eye
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