The national tree of India, banyan is a very huge structure, long and deep roots and branches symbolize the country’s unity. One can find banyan trees in throughout the nation. The huge sized tree acts as a shield, protects from hot sun. This is the reason why the tree is planted near homes, temples, villages and roadsides. In the rural parts of the country, banyan tree is considered as the focal point of the Panchayats and the gathering place for village councils and meetings. The tree is also considered sacred by the Hindus of India. With high medicinal value, banyan is often used as a herb to treat and cure many diseases. Given below is the trivia of banyan trees

• The name ‘banyan’ is derived from Banias, who rested under the trees to discuss their strategies regarding business.
• The widest tree in the world – the Great Banyan – is located in Kolkata. The tree is about 250 years old.
• Historical records say that Alexander the Great camped under a banyan tree that was large enough to provide shelter to his army of 7000 men.
• In many parts of the world, the wood and bark of the banyan tree are used for making paper.
• People even make use of the roots of the tree to make ropes, in order to secure wood bundles.
• The sap produced by banyan tree is often used to produce shellac, a strong adhesive. It can also be used to make surface-finisher.
• Women in Nepal crush the root of the banyan tree with a paste to make a herbal product, which is used by them as a hair and skin conditioner.
• In India and Pakistan, the twigs of banyan tree are sold as toothpicks in order to promote dental health.
• Banyan tree is well known for its medicinal uses. Its sap is a medicine for treating external skin inflammations and bruising, dysentery, toothaches and ulcers. Its bark and seeds are used to produce a herbal tonic that can cool the body. Diabetic patients are also treated by the tonic made from banyan tree.