The Science Behind Common Indian Beliefs Regarding Peepal Tree...

Do you know there is a science hidden behind the Indian traditions and beliefs regarding trees and plants? Why is the Sacred fig, better known as the Peepal Tree (in India) worshiped? People say that we should not visit the peepal tree at night as ghosts are there. Is this just a superstition or there is a science? Yep, there is a scientific reason behind all these beliefs. 

Certain trees are venerated in India. Most important among them was a peepal tree also known as Sacred Fig. The Peepal tree neither had tasty food nor strong wood, so why did people worship it? To start with, Peepal Tree is worshiped only in the morning, that too from a long period especially by women. The science behind this is as the peepal tree exhales an extremely high amount of oxygen during the day. Women were advised to walk around the peepal tree early in the morning for ideal hormonal balance and easy conception. The purpose of keeping an idol was to give them all the more reason to follow this practice diligently. 



In Ayurveda, numerous parts of the peepal tree are used. For example, the Peepal tree`s leaf juice can be used as ear drops. The bark powder of peepal trees can be used for wounds. Peepal such as root bark, stem bark, roots, leaves and fruits are used to manage conditions like high blood sugar levels, constipation and asthma. Peepal is beneficial for managing skin diseases. 





We also might have heard from people that never go near the peepal tree at night, ghosts reside on the branches of the peepal tree. Well, that's not true. The actual reason behind saying this is to keep people away from people's trees at night. This is because Peepal trees are dense, and due to that, it releases high amounts of carbon dioxide at night. Naturally, anyone sleeping under the peepal tree will be oxygen-deprived and this could impact the person's health in a negative way. This is how our ancestors used metaphorical language to simplify these complex matters. Now we cannot explain to the general public the photosynthesis process and how it is dependent on the sun, to simplify this and keep people away from the tree most of the people say. 


To conclude, the beliefs regarding the peepal tree had some logic but our ancestors used metaphorical language to simplify the same. When it comes to traditions and beliefs we are often said to not ask why! But I say ask why. Let's understand our culture and traditions in a better way and let's take a step to preserve them. 



Bibliography for all images and other sources used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnTc5WeBamo

https://www.1mg.com/ayurveda/peepal-198#:~:text=It%20not%20only%20emits%20oxygen,beneficial%20for%20managing%20skin%20diseases.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lybrate.com%2Ftopic%2Fpeepal-tree-health-benefits&psig=AOvVaw2pxI-EN1l6ukf6z_1g2MXi&ust=1606497574706000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwje-7n726DtAhWl03MBHTygCnIQr4kDegUIARCiAQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatoday.in%2Flifestyle%2Fhealth%2Fstory%2Fpeepal-tree-health-benefits-indian-bodhi-medicinal-use-diseases-ayurveda-lifest-1082608-2017-11-09&psig=AOvVaw2pxI-EN1l6ukf6z_1g2MXi&ust=1606497574706000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwje-7n726DtAhWl03MBHTygCnIQr4kDegUIARDDAQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amarujala.com%2Fspirituality%2Freligion%2Fwhy-hindu-worship-peepal-tree&psig=AOvVaw15FJ9dGZPBPLySHJJINV-M&ust=1606496983956000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCLj3xeLZoO0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAO


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