Benefits of Bael Fruit that You Don't Know

Botanical Name : Aegle marmelos
Other English Names : Slow apple, Bengal quince
Indian Name : Bel or siriphal

Origin, Distribution, and Composition

The bael is a large tree, 8 to 10 metres in height. It has a big stout trunk, unusual branches with long, straight outgrowth, aromatic leaves, sweet scented and greenish-white flowers. The fruit is woody and smooth, 5 to 15 cm in diameter. It has numerous seeds which are densely covered with fibrous hair and are embedded in a thick aromatic pulp. The flesh is eaten fresh or dried.

Bael tree is held sacred by the Hindus. The history of this tree has been traced to the Vedic period (2000 B.C.- 800 B.C.). The mention of bael fruit has been made in Yajurveda. The bael tree has great mythological significance and abounds in the vicinity of temples. The leaves of the tree are traditionally used as a sacred offering to Lord Shiva, the God of health. Lord Shiva is believed to live under the bael tree. The bael tree is indigenous to India and is grown throughout the subcontinent as well as most countries of South-east Asia. An analysis of the bael fruit shows that it consists of moisture 61. 5 per cent, protein 1.8 per cent, fat 0.3 per cent, minerals 1.7 percent, fibre 2.9 percent and carbohydrates 31.8 Percent per 100 grams of edible portion. Its mineral and vitamin contents include calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. Its calorific value is 137.

Several chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from  various parts of the bael tree. These inlcude alkaloids, coumarins and steroids. The leaves contain skimianine, marmorosin, which is identical to imperatorin. Other coumarins contained in the fruits are altoimperatorin and B sitosterol. Roots of the tree have been found to contain psoralin, xanthotoxin, scopoletin and tembamide. 

Healing Power and Curative Proprties 

The bael tree is one of the most useful medicinal plants of India. Its medicinal properties have been described in the ancient medical treatise in Sanskrit, Charaka Samhita. All parts of this tree-stem, bark, root, leaves and fruit at all stages of maturity -have medicinal virtues and have been used as medicine for a long time. The fruit's medicinal value is very high when it just begins to ripen. The fruit is aromatic, cooling and laxative. It arrests secretion or bleeding. The unripe or half-ripe fruit is good for digestion. It is useful in preventing or curing scurvy. It also strengthens the stomach and promotes its action.

Constipation

Ripe bael fruit is regarded as best of all laxatives. It deans and tones up the intestines. It's rehular use for 2 or 3 months throws out even the old accumulated faecal matter. For best results, it should be taken in the form of sherbet, which is prepared from the pulp of the ripe fruit. After breaking the shell, the seeds are removed, with the contents spooned out and sieved. Milk and sugar are added to make it more palatable. The pulp of the rip fruit can also be taken without the addition of milk or sugar· About 70 grams of the fruit will suffice for an adult.

Diarrhoea and Dysentery

The unripe or haf-ripe fruit is perhaps the most eftective remedy for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery where there is no fever. Best results are obtained by the use of dried bael or its powder. The bael fruit when it is still green, is sliced and dried in the sun. The dried bael slices are powdered and preserved in airtight mes. The unripe bael can also be baked and used with jaggery or brown sugar.

Peptic Ulcer

An infusion of bael leaves is regarded as an effective remedy for peptic ulcer. The leaves are soaked overnight in water. This water is strained and taken in the morning, The pain and discomfort are relieved when this treatment is continued for a few weeks. Bael leaves are rich in tannin which reduces inflammation and help in the healing of ulcers. Bael fruit taken in the form of a beverage also has great healing properties on account of its mucilage content. This forms a coating on the  stomach mucosa and thus helps heal ulcers.

Ear Problems

The root of this tree is used as a home remedy for curing ear problems. A stiff piece of the root is dipped in neem oil and lighted. The oil that drips from the burning end is a highly effective medicine for ear problems. The antiseptic proprties of neem combined with the astringent extract of bael root helps in curing infection, chronic innammation and discharge.

Respiratory Disorders

A medicated oil prepared froom bael leaves gives relief from recurrent colds and resperatory affections. The juice extracted from bael leaves is mixed with equal quantity of ginge1ly or and half a teaspoon of black cummin are added to the heated oil. It is then removed from the fire and stored for use when necessary. A teaspoon of this oil should be massaged into the scalp before a head bath. Its regular use builds up resistance to cold and coughs.

Precautions

The ripe fruit should not be taken regularly at a stretch. wnen used without a brcnL it produces atony of the intestines or lack of Trormal elasticity and consequent natulence at a time, as excessive intake may produce a sensation of The sfierbet made of bael must not be very thin. It should be viscous so that it can be thoroughly chewed.. It may produce heaviness in the stomach, if taken hurriedly.