Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) has a long history of use in traditional systems of medicine, especially within Ayurveda and folk medicine in India. Traditionally, various parts of the banyan tree—including the bark, leaves, and roots—have been used for a variety of health conditions, including insomnia. The milky latex or decoctions prepared from the leaves or aerial roots are sometimes recommended as natural sedatives or calming agents to promote sleep. This usage is primarily based on anecdotal evidence, traditional beliefs, and the doctrine of signatures, rather than robust clinical research.

Scientific studies directly evaluating banyan's effects on sleep or its efficacy in treating insomnia are extremely limited. Some animal studies have suggested mild sedative or anxiolytic effects of Ficus benghalensis extracts, but these are preliminary and not sufficiently rigorous to draw definitive conclusions. No large-scale clinical trials or meta-analyses currently support its use for insomnia in humans. As such, while traditional use persists, scientific validation remains lacking.

In summary, banyan's use for insomnia is justified by traditional practices, with weak and preliminary scientific evidence (if any) to support these claims.