Ficus elastica, another of the plants commonly known as the Rubber Tree, also called Rubber Fig, is a species of plant in the fig genus, native to southeastern Asia.
The Rubber Fig thrives in regions from Nepal to Indonesia, and has been widely cultivated in tropical gardens as a spectacularly large spreading tree, or as a more controlled houseplant with many leaf variegations in more temperate climates.
The plant’s latex has been used in various industrial applications. Its wood, though not as commercially valued as other timbers, can be used for making furniture and household items. The leaves and roots have applications in traditional medicine, while the tree’s sap has been historically used to make an inferior natural rubber, but is not the commercial source of rubber we find today.
In traditional medicine, The Rubber Fig has been used for treating various ailments, including wound healing, inflammation, and infections. The latex extracted from the tree was historically applied to cuts and wounds for its antimicrobial properties, and its bark and leaves have been used in decoctions and poultices.
Through scientific investigation, known pharmacological activities of The Rubber Fig include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitrypanosomal, antiplasmodial, antimalaterial and analgesic effects.
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*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
The Rubber Tree Houseplant
