Bilva (Aegle marmelos), commonly known as Bael, is a sacred tree in India with immense medicinal, cultural, and religious significance. It is widely used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. The fruit, leaves, roots, and bark of the Bilva tree have numerous health benefits and are used in various remedies. Bilva trees are found across India, Bangladesh and Nepal. It grows in most part of Indian subcontinent. The herb is distributed in countries like Sri-Lanka, Pakistan, Fuji, Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia
Latin Name: Aegle marmelos
Vernacular Names:
- Hindi: Bael
- Bengali: Bel
- Tamil: Vilvam, Aluvigam, Iyalbudi
- Telugu: Maredu, Bilvamu, Sriphalamu
- Kannada: Bilpatre
- Malayalam: Koovalam
- Marathi: Bael
- Gujarati: Bili
- Punjabi: Bael
Sanskrit Name: Bilva, shriphal, shivadruma
Synonyms :
Maloora : Alleviates all type of Mala dosha
Shandilya : Cure many diseases
Shailasha : Cure many diseases
Shriphala : Fruits of bilva having aroma
Gandhapatra : leaves of bael are aromatic
Sadaaphala : Bilva always bear fruits
Mahakapistha : The fruit of bael resemble like large fruit of kapithh
Kantaki : The bilva tree is thorny
Granthila : Stem is nodular.
Bael fruit Benefits & Ayurvedic Description
Ras ( Taste)
- Katu ( Pungent)
- Tikta (Bitter)
- Kashay ( Astringent)
Veerya ( Potency)
- Ushna (Hot)
Vipaak ( Post-digestive effect)
- Katu (Pungent)
Guna ( Qualities)
- Grahi (Absorpent)
- Snigdha (Uncutous)
- Tikshna ( Piercing)
Benefits of Bael fruit
Reduces inflammation
Bael fruit and roots benefits in reducing pain,swelling ,redness , hotness associated with inflammation because it is considered as an excellent anti inflammatory. This property of a bilva friut benefits in relieving pain and swelling in joints. Bilva root is one of the ingredient of a famous ayurvedic medicine Dashmool- combination of roots of ten herbs. In Charak Samhita Bael is classified as Shothar means which reduces swelling.
Aids in Digestion
The pale fawn flesh of Bilva fruit is sweet and astringent, thanks to its tannin content. This makes it effective in tightening and toning the tissues of the bowels, helping to manage conditions such as diarrhea and dysentery. It is also very beneficial in irritable bowel syndrome. Bilva is one of the most used ingreidient in ayurvedic medicine for IBS.
Helps in Piles
In charak samhita it is written Bilva fruit benefits in Piles and it is included in group of herbs that are useful in treating piles. These group in called Arshoghan – herbs which are good for haemorrhoids. Piles is a very painful disease but ayurvedic treatment for piles is safe and natural way to cure piles
Reduces blood sugar
Bael especially the leaves juice is beneficial in managing diabetes due to its anti-diabetic property. It helps in reducing the blood glucose level. Bilva also increases the secretion of insulin. Due to its antioxidant property, Bael also reduces the risk of diabetes related complications The phytochemical analysis of Aegel marmelos leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenol, flavonoids and saponins .
Helps in Urticaria
Urticaria is a type of allergic reaction which is also known as Sheetpitta in Ayurveda. This is due to an imbalance of Vata and Kapha as well as when Pitta gets impaired. Bael gives relief in case of Urticaria due to its Vata and Kapha balancing properties.
Medicinal Qualities & Benefits of Bael fruit
Unripe Bael fruit benefits
Kapha-Anilhara: Balances Kapha- Vata dosha
Deepani: Helps to improves digestive fire.
Atisarhara : Relieves diarhhea.
Grahi: Absorbent useful in loose motions .
Snigdha : Unctous and oily.
Ushna : Hot in nature .
Pittvardhan : Increases pitta in the body .
Deepan: Improves digestion.
Fine powder of unripe bilva fruit showed significant effect on intestinal parasites and also effective against entamoeba histolylica and ascaris lumbricoides.
Here one thing is very important to note that Bael is the only fruit which has to be taken in unripe condition.
Ripe bael fruit qualities
Durjara : difficult for digestion.
Doshala : one which aggravates all the dosha.
Pooti Maruta : which produces of foul smell in flatus
Madhura anuras : It has sweet after taste
Vidahi : means which causes slight burning
The pulp of ripe fruit is sweet evolving aromatic and nutritive when it is taken fresh.
Bilva Root Medicinal uses
Benefits of Bael Root
Tridoshaghan : Balances all the three dosha’s
Chardighan : Helps to relieve nausea
Madhur : Sweet in taste.
Light : Easy to digest.
Oil extracted from bilva root is beneficial for treating nasal catarrh ( excessive mucus production) and ear diseases. This application provides relief from symptoms and promotes healing.
Research has demostrated that extracts of Bilva roots, fruits and leaves exhibit activity against various bacterial strains. This highlights the anti microbial potential of Bilva in combating infections.
Bael root is one of ingriedient of Dashmool an ayurvedic composition for pain and inflammation.
Beal leaf benefits
Bael leaf is beneficial in condition like fever, pain or any other problem that occur due to imbalance of Vata- kapha dosha. It is also beneficial in problems such as asthma, cough and colds.
Regular consumption of bilva leaves can be beneficial for managing diabetes mellitus. Chewing a few leaves daily and drinking fresh juice extracted from bilva leaves can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve overall insulin sensitivity. I have personally met many people using this remedy and are happy with the results.
Bael leaves are added with water and boiled, the steam is used for mild fomentation of eyes to relieve conjuctivitis with excess discharge. Ref. Uttar sthan 11/5
Chemical composition and nutrition
Bilva fruits, leaf and roots contains Phytonutrients such as Marmelin, Tanic acid, Fatty acid, Essential oil, Rustin, Aegelie Marmesin.
It also has a lot of nutritional value as it is a rich source of Vitamin c, ribofavin ( vitamin b 2), thaimine (vitamin B1), niacin ( vitamin b3) protein, carotene, fat and carbohydrates.
Bilva have low fat and high carbohydrates therefore it is very good source of energy.
How to use Bael
Bael can be consumed in various forms, including:
- Bilva friut Powder (Churna): 2 to 3 gms of churna mixed with honey or warm water . For children 1 to 2 gms with water or honey.
- Bilva patra (leaves) powder: 2 to 3 gms of churna mixed with milk or warm water . For children 1 to 2 gms with water or honey.
- Bilva patra swaras ( juice) : 10 to 20ml for freshly prepared juice from leaves of bael.
- Part Used : Fruits, Leaves and roots.
Home Remedies of Bael
In Constipation & piles : 1o to 15 ml of bilva leaves juice ( swaras) two times a day is very beneficial in constipation and easing piles pain.
For Dysentry : Taking unripe bilva fruit powder 1 teaspoon and add 1 teaspoon of jaggery into it . Consuming this mixture helps to relieve all type of dysentry.
Helpful in IBS : It is very helpful in relieving irritable bowel syndrome. Take churna of bilva 2 gms add 1 gms powder of saunf ( fennel seed) and sonth powder( dry ginger). Add these 3 ingredients in 2 cup of water and boil it one cup water is remaining. Drinking this tea is helpful in IBS.
Cautions And Contraindications
While Bael has many benefits and is generally safe, excessive consumption may cause:
- Allergic reactions in rare cases.
Pregnant or lactating women and those on medications should consult a healthcare professional before use.
Frequently asked question
1.Can this herb be used while taking homoepathic medicine ?
Yes. This herb does not react with homeopathic medicine.
2.Can this herb/medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin, omega 3, spirulina.
Yes .Generally this herb goes well with most dietary supplement. However if you are taking more than one product per day please consult your doctor for opinion.
3. With western/modern medicine
Seek your doctors advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicine. Some ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
When taking ayurvedic medicine or herb with modern medicine it is best to keep one hour gap in between both the medicine.
4. How long does Bilva take to start showing result ?
It depend on any existing disease, overall health, your prakriti ( genetic make up) all these factors plays a role in how quickly shatavari work. However it is observed that results are usually visible in 1-2 weeks or even months.
5.Can it be used in people with diabetes?
Yes. But always keep watch on your sugar levels. This herb can lower your blood sugar levels. Do not stop your diabetes medicine once you start taking this herb/medicine. Keep in touch with your ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you in this respect.
6.Are there any diet restriction( Pathya) while taking this product.
No .There are no such restriction while taking this product. However if you have been advised with any specific diet based on disease, you should continue to follow it.
Ayurvedic medicine that contains Bilva
Bilva (Aegel Marmelos) is main ingredients in following medicines
Vilwadi gutika: It is used in insect bites and fever . It is very important ayurvedic medicine that contain bael ( Aegel marmelos) as its main ingredient.
Bilwa tel: An Ayurvedic medicine very popularly used in ayurvedic treatment for various problems of ear especially in loss of hearing
Conclusion
Bilva tree has great medicinal as well as religious value and is one of the most important drug in modern times which has a rich history of its usage from Vedic period. Since the Vedic period till the recent Nighantus of Ayurveda, there is vast description of different indications of Bilva in diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, piles, jaundice diabetes cough and asthma.
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This Article is written by Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari B.A.M.S, PGDCR Director of Risha’s Health And Ayurvedaa Solutions.He is having more than 20 years of experience in field of Ayurvedic medicine.
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