Aegle marmelos/Wood Apple is inherent to India but also found in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and other regions of the Southern part of Asia. The tree grows from 6 to 15 meters high and edible fruits measure 7 to 10 cm in diameter. The shells of the fruit are tough. It contains brownish pulp and small white seeds inside the fruit. Other names for Wood Apple are Curd Fruit, Indian Wood-Apple, Monkey Fruit, and Elephant Apple. But popularly it is known as Bael fruit.

Wood Apple is considered to be sacred since it has been cultivated in India for more than 4000 years. The whole parts of the plant are useful and are a vital part in Ayurvedic medicine. Fruit is globose and spherical in shape. The shell is gray to green in color which later on turns into pale yellow. As the shell is very hard, it is cracked with a hammer or machete. The pulp inside the fruit is very aromatic and fibrous. It contains resinous hairy seeds which are covered with mucilage. The pulp tastes like marmalade but tangy and slightly astringent having an aroma of rose.

The bael fruit has been grown in India for more than 4,000 years and is extremely appreciated for its identified therapeutic features. The taste of the fruit, regrettably, leaves something to be preferred, just like numerous plants along with recovery qualities, yet all the parts of the tree are utilized in a number of purposes, which include fragrances, soap, and also home furniture manufacturing. The bael fruit is an integral part of Ayurvedic practice and is also utilized to deal with numerous digestive system problems. Bael fruit is spherical and also approximately the dimensions of a baseball. The fruit begins gray-green and also turns a pale yellow whenever it develops. When split open, the fruit will disclose pale orange pulp separated by thicker, dark orange walls. The fruit can also be studded along with resinous hairy seeds, encased within a cover of mucilage. The aroma of the fruit could be off-putting for some.

Plant

The wood Apple tree is deciduous, thorny, and small to medium-sized which grows from 6 to 15 meters high having shallowly furrowed and grey bark. Spines are short, axillary, and straight. The young branchlets, as well as foliage, are covered with short hairs which turn glabrous with age. Leaves are alternate and imparipinnate having narrowly winged rachis. Leaflets are subsessile and arranged oppositely with obovate and 25 to 35 mm long by 10 to 20 mm wide lamina. Flowers have small, flat, deltoid, caduceus, and dentate calyx. Petals are oblong to ovate to lanceolate which imbricate in bud having short and finely pilose disk. Fruits are large berries in globose shape measuring 7 to 10 cm in diameter having a hard and woody shell. Fruits have sticky brown and edible pulp with compressed, oblong, and white seeds.

Bark

The tree has grayish or pale brown bark which is smooth, flaking or finely fissured. The bark contains slimy sap which oozes out from cut parts. Gum is a gummy and clear sap that exudes from wounded branches. The gum becomes solid gradually which tastes sweet at first and then irritates the throat.

Leaves

The plant has alternate and trifoliate leaves. Each leaflet is ovate with a pointed or tapering tip and rounded base. Leaflets measure 5 to 14 x 2 to 6 cm. Young leaves are pinkish or pale green and is finely hairy. Mature leaves are smooth and dark green. Each leaf contains 4 to 12 pairs of side veins joined at the margin.

Flower

Flowers are bisexual, sweetly scented, and is pale green or yellowish in color. Flowers measure 1.5 to 2 cm which is short drooping in unbranched clusters. It has flat calyx with 4 to 5 small teeth. Petals are 6 to 8 mm which overlaps in the bud. Stamens have short filaments and pale brown or short style anthers. A bright green ovary has an inconspicuous disc.

Fruit

Fruit is globose or slightly pear-shaped with a diameter of 7 to 10 cm. It has a thick and hard rind that does not split on ripening. Shell is woody, smooth, gray, green which turns yellow on ripening. The pulp is orange, aromatic with flattened oblong seeds measuring 1 cm long which bears woolly hairs. The fruit requires 11 months to ripen on the tree. As the shell is so hard, it should be cracked with a machete or hammer.

Health benefits of Bael fruit (Wood Apple)

The bael tree is probably the most valuable therapeutic plant of India. Its therapeutic qualities happen to be explained within the historic healthcare treatise in Sanskrit, Charaka Samhita. All of the parts of this particular tree which includes stem, bark, root, leaves as well as fruit at every stage of maturation have therapeutic benefits and it has been utilized as traditional medicinal practices for a long period. Wood Apple is a cure for combating the health problems such as peptic ulcer, constipation, respiratory problems, indigestion, dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, piles, and sexual dysfunctions. It enhances immunity to counteract infections such as viral, bacterial, and fungal.

1. Cure for constipation

Ripe bael fruit acts as a laxative that helps to cleanse and tone the intestines. For best results, it could be consumed regularly for 2 to 3 months in form of sherbet which is made from pulp. Mix the pulp with a bit of sugar and milk. It could also be consumed without adding any sugar or milk. For an adult person, 60 grams of pulp is enough.

2. Aid diarrhea and dysentery

Unripe Bael is an effective treatment for chronic diarrhea and dysentery. Slice up an unripe fruit and dry it under the sun then made it into powder. Drink the mixture of 1 teaspoon of powder, warm water, and brown sugar two times a day. Intake of Bael powder will lower mucus and blood in dysentery. For best results, it should be taken for at least one week. But it is not useful for severe dysentery.

3. Cure peptic ulcers

Leaves of Wood Apple have an adequate amount of tannin that assists to cure ulcers. Drench the leaves in water overnight and take this water-like beverage each week. Sherbet prepared from ripe Bael fruit contains a substance that covers the inner mucosa of the stomach that helps to cure ulcers. One should eat ripe pulp or drink sherbet for at least three days in order to cure ulcers.

4. Respiratory health

Leaves of Wood Apple treat respiratory problems. For lowering cough and cold, heat sesame oil with a teaspoon of black cumin, black pepper seeds, and juice of Bael leaves. When the oil is lukewarm, massage it to the head and scalp before bathing. Consume leaves of Bael with 3 to 4 black pepper seeds and drink warm milk to lower the occurrence of asthma. It should be done for at least one month.

5. Controls cholesterol, diabetes, and uric acid

Leaves of Wood Apple possess methanol properties which help to lower cholesterol levels, blood urea, and blood sugar. Studies show that the activity of methanol properties found in leaves is identical to contemporary drugs. To obtain the effect consume tea made from dried leaves daily. It helps to lower lipid profiles and triglycerides.

6. Acts as an antioxidant

Bael fruit has a high content of phenolic compounds which are known as antioxidants. All parts of the tree contain antioxidants which play a vital role to heal damaged cells that are caused by free radicals and prevent degenerative diseases such as heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cancers. Antioxidants delay the anti-aging process so that the skin keeps youthful for a longer time period. Research shows that the best activities of antioxidants are found in leaves. So to get antioxidants, drink tea prepared from Bael leaves.

7. Treat scurvy

Scurvy is caused due to deficiency of Vitamin C which is a life-threatening condition. Wood Apple has a high content of Vitamin C which prevents scurvy from developing. The high content of Vitamin C promotes potency and strengthens the immune system by preventing viral and microbial infections.

8. Prevent liver problems

Wood Apple is a great source of beta carotene so it is a cure for liver ailments. It consists of riboflavin and thiamine which are known to boost liver health. The fruit acts as an ingredient in cardiac tonics.

9. Malaria prevention

Studies show that the application of pulp mixture and repellents on the skin of pregnant women might be beneficial for preventing malaria. Repellents are non-irritating and neutral and have a warm sensation on the application of this mix. Still, studies are being conducted to ascertain mechanisms behind the mixture benefits on malaria.

10. Cure for hemorrhoids

Juice extracted from Bael fruit has tannin in it which helps to cure cholera, vitiligo, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. It is useful for treating anemia, eye, and ear disorders. The mixture of juice with ghee and turmeric is used in Ayurveda for treating fractured bones.

11. Snake Bites

The root and leaves of bael are utilized within the treatments for snake bites from the olden days and discovered extremely effective.

12. Eye infection

The foliage is a very effective treatment for a number of eye inflammations just like conjunctivitis.

13. Fever

The roots as well as the bark of the tree are utilized as a decoction to deal with many forms of fevers. The roots are utilized in Ayurveda to stop fevers brought on by the problems of Vata, Kapha, and also pitta.

 

Origin and cultivation

The bael tree is in fact indigenous to India. The narration of the tree goes back to the Vedic period- 2000 BC – 800 BC. The fruit has been pointed out in Yajur Veda. The tree has got huge legendary significance and it’s also present in large quantities all around temples. Bael fruit is in fact held holy by the Hindus and in accordance with several Hindu customs; the foliage is typically utilized as a holy offering to Lord Shiva, who’s likely to live beneath the bael tree. The fruit is produced all over India in addition to Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan Sri Lanka, and Burma.

Traditional Uses

• Juice extracted from ripe fruit possesses a great source of antioxidants.
• Bark and spines are used in Indo-China for treating liver disorders, excessive menstruation, stings, bites, and nausea.
• Fruit is used as a cure for dysentery, liver ailments, diarrhea, indigestion, and chronic cough.
• In children, the mixture of powdered gum with honey is used to overcome diarrhea and dysentery.
• Gum, fruits, leaves, and bark is useful for treating cardiac debility, gingivitis, hiccough, bronchitis, cough, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, and snake bites.
• The unripe fruit is useful for treating dysentery, diarrhea, sore throat, hiccough, and gum diseases.
• Use the powdered rind and pulp as a poultice on stings and bites of venomous insects.
• The mixture of leaf juice and honey is a cure for fever.
• Mix sap of young leaves with sugar candy and milk and use it as an aid for intestinal disorders and biliousness of children.
• Use the gum on acne which helps to cure it.
• Boil a cupful of water combined with half or one teaspoon of dried-out bael leaves. Ultimately, cool and strain the liquid. Consume this solution 3 times per day to lessen high blood pressure.
• Consuming a mix of ripe bael fruit pulp, sugar, and also honey on a regular basis after dinner is advantageous at the beginning of tuberculosis. Adhere to this process for around 40 days.
• Having a teaspoon of dried and also powdered bael leaves for 3 days can be useful for growing the urge for food.
• Anti-parasitic advantages of bael could be extracted by using about five grams of dried and also powdered pulp of the fruit. Follow this particular therapy 2 times per day to remove intestinal tract worms.
• Smash an unripe bael fruit together with one teaspoon each of dried ginger and also fennel. Dip this mix in four cups of water and also consume this particular home medication 3 to 4 times per day to cure hemorrhoids.
• One more bael treatment for hemorrhoids includes the consumption of a mixture of dried and also powdered bael leaves, dried ginger, carom seeds, and also black pepper combined in a glass of buttermilk. If you don’t have got buttermilk, make use of lukewarm water.
• Ingesting a cupful of ripe bael fruit combined with jaggery once every day for 2-3 months cures bowel problems and also indigestion. Additionally, it cures mouth ulcers. You can eat nearly 70g of pulp per day.
• Using a teaspoon of dried and also powdered ripe bael fruit pulp combined in a glass of buttermilk or even warm water two times in one day is effective in reducing spasms brought on by irritable bowel syndrome.
• When confronted with severe or even persistent diarrhea, dry the slices of the unripe bel fruit in sun as well as grind them. Have a teaspoon of the powder together with tepid to warm water. Follow this particular therapy 2 times in one day.
• Bael’s health benefits for decreasing extreme menstruation could be derived by using a teaspoon of smashed bael leaves together with warm water accompanied by the consumption of some cold water.
• Include a pinch of black pepper in the teaspoon of smashed bel leaves and also consume this mix. Lastly, consume a cupful of buttermilk. Follow this particular natural therapy 3 times every day to assist heal jaundice.
• Heat the rind of bael fruit within coconut oil and also use the oil in your scalp regularly to deal with dandruff naturally. Just in case coconut oil isn’t available then utilize sesame seed oil.
• Bael benefits in curing stomach and also mouth ulcers, as well. Just for this, you have to consume a combination of a cupful of bael fruit pulp plus a teaspoon of sugar each morning before eating anything for 3 days.
• An additional recommendation to lessen peptic ulcers includes soaking a handful of bael leaves within a cup of water overnight and also consuming this solution at the beginning of the morning for some weeks.
• To ease issues similar to nausea, vomiting, and also headache throughout summers, roast a number of baels leave in the mud pot, put in a cup of water within it, and allow the mixture to boil. Next, strain the solution. You may also sweeten it along with sugar. Consume 1 / 2 of this liquid each morning and also the other half at night. Carry on this process for 21 days.

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Bael Fruit (Wood Apple)

• Headache: Dry roast a handful of Bael leaves in a mud pot. Add one cup of water in it and boil it for 10 minutes. Strain and drink it. It will provide relief from Headache, Nausea, and Vomiting.
• Dysentery: Dry the pulp of Bael fruit under Sun. Grind it to make powder. Take 3 g of the powder thrice a day.
• Constipation: Take the pulp of ripe Bael fruit. Remove seeds from it. Eat it. OR: Make a leave decoction of Bael. Have a cup of it in the morning. Note: You may add Black Pepper and Salt to taste.
• For Children: Squeeze the juice of fresh Bael leaves. Add little sugar in one teaspoon of juice. Give it to the children twice a day. The problem will be cured effectively.
• Heat Stroke: Add 2 tsp. Sugar, 50 ml cold Milk in a cup of the sieved pulp of Bael fruit. Drink it before you go outside in the Sun.
• Peptic Ulcer: Mix one cup of Bael fruit pulp with a teaspoon of Sugar. Consume it in the morning on an empty stomach for three days. OR: Soak a handful of Bael leaves in one cup of water overnight. The next morning, drink this solution. Repeat the process for one week.
• Diabetes: Make an infusion of Bael Leaves and leave it a fortnight. Crush the leaves in the same water. Drink 15 ml of it once a day.
• Ear Infection: Boil chopped Bael leaves in Sesame Oil. Strain. Use this oil as an Ear drop.
• Asthma: Consume one Bael leaf with 3 Black Peppercorns followed by a cup of warm Milk. Repeat the process for one month.
• Fever: Consume a cup of leaves decoction of Bael. Have it twice a day.
• Febrifuge: Prepare a decoction with leaves of Bael. Consume it early in the morning.
• Expectorant: Drink leave decoction of Bael twice a day.
• Eyes: Heat a few leaves of Bael. Tie them in a piece of cloth. Use it as a poultice over the Eyes.
• Palpitation: Boil 3 g root bark of Bael. Take 10 ml of it thrice a day.
• Stomach Problems: Take one cup of ripe Bael fruit and mix it with Jaggery. Take 4 tablespoons of this mixture, once a day for 3 months. It will provide relief from Constipation and Indigestion.
• Coolant: The ripe Bael fruit has a cooling effect on your body. Have 5 g of it twice a day.
• Indigestion: Crush ripe Bael fruit. Add it to boiled water for 3 hours. Reheat the solution. Filter. Take 10 ml three times a day.
• Swelling: Collect fresh Bael Leaves. Grind them. Apply it over the affected part and bandage ( not so tight ). Do it twice a day. It eases the problem.
• Liver Diseases: Powder dried Bael Leaves. Take one teaspoon powder with water at night daily.
• Piles: Take a raw Bael Fruit. Peel and grind. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of Sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves. Have it once a day.
• Breast Cancer: Consumption of Bael Fruit keeps the females away from Breast Cancer.
• Joint Effusion: Add fruit pulp in Mustard oil. Heat for a minute. Massage the affected area with this preparation. In addition, have some pulp internally to reduce inflammation. OR: You may use Bael Leaves in place of fruit. Paste some fresh leaves. Place on the affected part and as mentioned above eat paste too.
• Blood Purifier: Mix 50 mg extracted juice of Bael in a half glass of warm water. Add 1 teaspoon sugar to it. Drink this mixture daily. It purifies blood effectively and keeps you free from infections.
• Toxicity: Mix a glass of warm water with 50 mg of Bael juice. Stir it well. Drink this decoction to remove bad toxins from the body.
• Kidney Disease: Take 1 teaspoon dried Bael leaves powder with lukewarm water. Consume it regularly to prevent Kidney Diseases.
• High Blood Pressure: Prepare a decoction, made of 1 teaspoon of dried Bael leaves and one cup of water. Strain and drink it, three times a day.
• Tuberculosis: Mix Ripe Bael fruit pulp with Sugar and Honey daily after dinner for 40 days.
• Anorexia: Consume 1 teaspoon of dried Bael leaf powder with one glass of water for three days. It will increase the appetite.
• Ascaris: Consume 5 grams of dried powdered Bael fruit pulp, two times a day. It helps in the elimination of Intestinal Worms.
• Piles: Crush 1 teaspoon of dried Ginger and Fennel seeds. Mix it with unripened Bael fruit. Soak this mixture in four cups of water for 2 hours. Drink it three times a day.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Mix one teaspoon of dried ripe Bael fruit pulp powder in one glass of lukewarm water. Consume it two times a day.
• Diarrhea: Take one teaspoon of dried unripened Bael fruit powder. Consume this mixture with one glass of lukewarm water, two times a day.
• Jaundice: Mix one teaspoon of Bael leaf powder in a pinch of Black Pepper powder. Consume this mixture followed by a cup of Buttermilk. Repeat the process three times a day.
• Aphthous Ulcers: Mix one cup of Bael fruit pulp with a teaspoon of Sugar. Consume it in the morning on an empty stomach for three days.
• Cold: Fry Black Peppercorns, Black Cumin, and Bael leaf juice in Sesame Oil. Gently massage with this lukewarm oil on your head. It will provide relief from Cold and Cough.
• Malaria: Extract the juice of Bael leaves and flowers by grinding and squeezing it. Mix this juice with one teaspoon of Honey. Consume it two times a day.
• Diarrhea: Finely powder equal quantity of dry Ginger, Bael fruits, Nutmeg, and Aconitum heterophyllum together. Take 2 pinches of this powder with water thrice a day.
• Constipation: Take half cup of juice of Bael. Now boil half a cup of water. Let it be cool. Mix in juice. Add 2 pinch Black Pepper powder, a pinch of powdered Asafetida, and half a teaspoon of Carom powder. Have it once a day.
• Diabetes: Take fenugreek seeds, Bay leaf, Black Plum seed, and Bael Patra, leaves of Bael, in the ratio of 1:1:2:3. Grind them to make powder. Take 2 tsp. a day. Take one teaspoon one hour before breakfast and one teaspoon one hour before dinner.

Precautions    

• Excessive intake of Wood Apple causes flatulence in the abdomen so people with gastric problems should be careful while using it.
• Try a small amount in order to check how the body reacts.
• It should not be consumed regularly.
• Consuming this fruit without a break causes a lack of normal flexibility, atony of intestines, and major flatulence.
• Excessive consumption causes a heavy sensation in the stomach.
• Avoid by pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• Thyroid patients and people who are allergic should avoid it.

How to Eat         

• Scoop out the pulp and consume it raw.
• Pulp could be blended with palm sugar syrup and coconut milk.
• The pulp is beaten with pal sugar in Indonesia and consumed at breakfast.
• Pulp could be processed into beverages, sherbet or frozen like ice cream.
• Make the pulp into preserves, chutney, marmalade, jelly, jams, and also processed into toffee or treacle.
• In Sri Lanka, the fruit pulp is processed into the cream.
• In Thailand, tender shoots, young leaves, and ripe fruits are consumed fresh.
• Indians consume the pulp of ripe fruit with jaggery or sugar.
• Make chutney from the ripe pulp.
• Leaves are used in salads.

References

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