1. Introduction to the Bel Plant (Wood Apple) and Its Global
Distribution
The Bel plant, or wood apple, is a sacred and healing tree
with origins dating back to Indian culture and Ayurvedic tradition. The Bel
tree is a deciduous, medium-sized tree that grows to 10-15 meters tall. It is
from the "Rutaceae" family and distinguished by its odoriferous fruit
with hard-sealed surface and holistic medicinal potential. It has its origin
in India but is cultivated efficiently
in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Thailand, and some parts of Southeast Asia. It has adopted dry and semiarid states,
and with its medicinal usage, it grows in other tropics and subtropics
elsewhere in the globe.
2. Scientific and Vernacular Names of Bel Plant :
Scientific Name: Aegle marmelos
English: Wood Apple/Stone Apple
• Hindi: बेल (Bel)
• Sanskrit: Bilva,
Sriphal
• Bengali: বেল (Bel)
• Tamil: வில்வம் (Vilvam)
• Telugu: మారేడు (Maredu)
• Kannada: ಬಿಲ್ವ (Bilva)
• Malayalam: കൂവളം (Koovalam)
• Marathi: बेल (Bel)
• Gujarati: બેલ (Bel)
• Punjabi: ਬੇਲ (Bel)
• Urdu: بیل (Bel)
• Oriya (Odia): ବେଲ (Bela)
• Assamese: বেল (Bel)
• Konkani: बेल (Bel)
3. Bel plant in Ancient Manuscripts and Ayurvedic Texts:
In "Ayurveda," Bel is a holy and medicinal plant.
The ancient texts mention nearly every part of the tree-fruit, leaves, bark,
roots, and seeds as possessing medicinal properties. It belongs to the class
"Rasayana," i.e., it rejuvenates and refreshes the body.
Ancient Manuscripts That Mention Bel:
Charaka Samhita: Mentions its use for curing digestive
problems and giving general strength.
Sushruta Samhita: Emphasizes Bel's application in wound
healing and chronic diarrhoea.
Ashtanga Hridayam: Records its astringent, digestive, and
anti-inflammatory properties.
Aegle marmelos, Bel or Bael, is an Ayurvedic medicinal herb
that is employed extensively in many diseases. Following is point-wise detail
of its employment in the said above diseases, viz., parts employed, doses, and
duration, derived from traditional knowledge and existing scientific knowledge.
Note: All the following treatments are to be taken under the consultation of a
medical practitioner prior to usage since dose and duration would differ based
on individual health.
4. Uses of Bel in common diseases
4.1Diarrhoea / Dysentery
Medicinal Applications: Bael is highly effective against
dysentery and diarrhoea due to the fact that it has astringent, antimicrobial,
and antidiarrheal activities. Unripe pulp of the fruit is particularly in
demand for its detoxifying property, softening of intestinal spasms, and
combating pathogens like Shigella and Helicobacter
Parts Used
i. Unripe Fruit Pulp: Most suitable for diarrhoea and
dysentery, especially in chronic form without fever.
Take 10–20 g of fresh or dried unripe fruit pulp along with
1-2 teaspoons of honey or jaggery 2–3 times daily.
ii. Pulp decoction: Boil 10–15 g of pulp in 200 mL water,
reduce to 50 mL, and take with sugar or honey; Dose: 1-2 tablespoons of paste
or 50 mL decoction, 2–3 times a day after meals.
iii. Bael Juice (Sharbat): Mix ½–1 cup bel fruit pulp juice
(from unripe fruit) with water; Dose: Take once or twice a day after light
meals.
iv. Bael Churna (Powder):Take ¼–½ teaspoon (1–3 g) powder of
dried unripe fruit with water or honey; Dose: Twice a day after meals.
v. Leaf Decoction: Boil 5–10 g fresh leaves in 200 mL water
with a pinch of black pepper, reduce to 50 ml.; Dose: 20–30 mL, 1–2 times a
day. Duration: Acute diarrhoea/dysentery: Take for 3–7 days or until symptoms
improve.
vi. Chronic cases: May be applied for 2–4 weeks under
observation, observing for constipation because bael's astringent nature may
dry up stool if it is overused.
Precautions: Avoid using in excess as it tends to cause constipation.
4.2 Indigestion
Therapeutic Properties : Bel assists digestion by promoting
appetite, quelling intestinal spasms, and protecting the digestive system from
ulceration. Bel's carminative and laxative properties help ease bloating, gas,
and poor evacuation
Parts Used;
Unripe or Half-Ripe Fruit Pulp: Stimulates digestion and is
a restorative Unripe Fruit Pulp; Mix 10–15 g of pulp with 1 teaspoon of jaggery or honey.
Dose: 1-2 tablespoons, 1-2 times a day before or after meals.
Bael Sherbat: Mix 20–30 g of ripe or unripe fruit pulp with
water, sugar, and a pinch of cardamom; Dose: ½–1 cup, once
Bael Churna :Give 3–6 g powder of dry fruit with lukewarm
water; Dose: Once or twice daily half an hour before meals
Leaf Juice:Chew 2–3 raw leaves or squeeze juice (10–15 mL)
and blend with honey; Dose: Once daily if indigestion is mild; Duration:For
acute indigestion: 3–5 days or until relief is found; For chronic digestive
disorders: 2–4 weeks with periodic breaks to assess
Precautions: Overindulgence can cause stomach pain or constipation.
4.3. Diabetes
Medicinal Uses: Bel leaves and fruit have antidiabetic
activity, stimulating insulin release, enhancing glucose intake, and reducing
blood sugar levels. Leaves contain antioxidants, which are useful for
safeguarding pancreatic cells.
Parts Use
Leaves: Large part used for diabetes due to their
hypoglycemic activity.
Fruit Pulp: Helps control sugar if taken moderately; Doses:
Leaf Juice: Squeeze 5-10 fresh leaves (10-20 mL) and mix with 1 teaspoon water
or honey; Dose: Daily once on an empty stomach.
Leaf Powder: Take 1–2 g dried leaf powder with water. Dose:
Twice daily before meals
Fruit Pulp: Take 10–15 g ripe or unripe fruit pulp mixed
with water or sherbat; Duration:
Prolonged administration (1-3 months) is characteristic
for control of blood sugar, but blood glucose monitoring needs to be frequent
in order to prevent hypoglycemia
Precautions: Bael increases the
effect of antidiabetic drugs, resulting in hypoglycemia. Monitor blood glucose
levels and adjust medication under medical guidance
4.4. Ulcers
Therapeutic Actions: Bael fruit pulp and leaves have
gastroprotective and anti-ulcerative activities, blocking gastric mucosal
damage and Helicobacter pylori. The antioxidants and tannins of bel help in
healing peptic ulcers and inflammation
Parts Used:
Unripe Fruit Pulp : Most suitable for ulcer cure; Dosage:
Unripe Fruit Pulp Extract; Mix 10–20 g of pulp with water or honey; Dosage: 1-2
tablespoons, twice a day before meals
Bael Juice:
Dilute ½ cup unripe fruit pulp juice with water; Dose**:
Once a day for 2–4 weeks
Leaf Decoction: Boil 5–10 g fresh leaves in 200 mL water,
bring to 50 mL, and add a pinch of black pepper.Dose: 20–30 mL, once a day
Bael Churna:Take 3–6 g dried fruit powder with warm water;
Dose: Once daily. Duration
Use for 2-6 weeks for symptom relief of ulcers, depending on
severity
Monitor long-term use to avoid side effects like
constipation.
Precautions: High tannin levels may cause stomach discomfort
if used excessively
4.5 Fever
Therapeutic Uses: Antipyretic action, reduction of fever and
allied symptoms. Honey mixed with leaf juice is of particular use in prevention
as well as treatment of fever; Parts Used; Leaves: Principal constituent used
in controlling fever ; Leaf Juice :Express 10–20 mL juice from fresh leaves and
mix well with 1 teaspoon honey; Dose: 1-2 times a day if feverish.
4.6 Leucorrhoea
Leaf Decoction; Boil 5–10 g of leaves in 200 mL water,
reduce to 50 mL.; Dose: 20-30 mL, 1-2 times daily
Root Decoction : Boil 5–10 g of root bark in 200 mL water,
reduce to 50 mL; Dose: 20 mL, once a day; Duration: For 3–5 days in acute fever
or till symptoms
Precautions: Monitor for dizziness or dryness, especially
with root preparations
4.7 Scurvy
Therapeutic Properties: Bael fruit has a high vitamin C
content, which is beneficial for treating scurvy, which is caused due to a
deficiency of vitamin C. The juice of the fruit replenishes the vitamin content
and relieves the symptoms of weakness and aching limbs
Parts Used: Ripe Fruit Pulp: Primary source of vitamin C ; Doses; Bel
Juice :Squeeze 20-30 g ripe fruit pulp, mix with water; Dose: ½–1 cup, 1-2
times a day
4.8 Skin Problems
Therapeutic Properties: Bel leaves and fruit have
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, useful for skin
infections, scabies, and inflammations. Leaf poultices and fruit pulp are
applied topically to provide clear skin benefits-how-to-use/)
Parts Used:
Leaves: Poultice or paste for skin infections
Seeds: Seed oil for topical application
Doses: Leaf Poultice :Grind 5–10 fresh leaves with water to paste,
black pepper or honey can be added optionally; Application: On affected skin
areas (e.g., scabies, redness), apply and leave on for 20–30 minutes, wash off.
Apply 1–2 times daily ;Duration: In acute skin disorders: 1–2 weeks or till
recovery
Precautions :Check for skin allergy before mass application,
as a few develop rashes or itching.
4.9 Cough / Cold
Therapeutic Properties:Exectorant, anti-inflammatory, and
antimicrobial activity of bael fruit and leaves eliminate cough, cold, asthma,
and bronchitis. Leaf juice or decoctions activate sputum discharge and ease
breathing
Parts Used:Leaves: Principal part used in respiratory
ailments; Fruit Pulp: Used in drinks for soothing purpose
Doses; Leaf Juice: Extract 10-20 mL juice from fresh leaves,
mix with 1 teaspoon honey, 1–2 times daily for relief in cough.
Leaf Decoction: Boil 5–10 g leaves in 200 mL water with
black pepper powder, a pinch, reduce to 50 mL.; Dose: 20–30 mL, 1–2 times a day
Bael Sherbat: Mix 20–30 g pulp of ripe fruit in warm water.
Dose: ½ cup, once a day for soothing throat inflammation
Root Decoction:Boil 5 g root bark in 200 mL water, reduce to
50 mL.
Dose: 20 mL, once a day for wheezing or spasms
5. Phytochemicals present in Bel beneficial to Mankind
Bel (Aegle marmelos) has several
bioactive chemicals that possess many medicinal properties. Some of the
significant chemicals found in the different parts of the plant (especially the
fruit, leaves, and bark) are:
1. Marmelosin (also Aegeline); Source: Fruit and roots;
Therapeutic value: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and digestant.
2. Skimmianine; Source: Leaves; Therapeutic value:
Antifungal, antibacterial, and analgesic actions.
3.Lupeol; Source: Fruit and bark
•Therapeutic value: Anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and
hepatoprotective; Marmin; Source: Fruit and roots; Therapeutic value:
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
5.Coumarins; Source: Whole plant; Therapeutic value:
Anticoagulant and antimicrobial.
6. Tannins & Flavonoids; Source: Unripe fruit and bark;
Therapeutic value: Astringent, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. These compounds
are responsible for the digestive, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and
anti-inflammatory activities of Aegle marmelos, hence its use as a cornerstone
in Ayurvedic medicine and contemporary phytotherapy.
6. General Precautions and Side Effects
Constipation : Overuse of bel fruit, particularly unripe,
can cause constipation because of its astringent property
Hypoglycaemia : In diabetic patients, bael can lower blood
sugar levels too much when consumed with drugs
benefits-for-skin-diabetes-and-supplements
Allergies : Bael can rarely induce itching or skin rashes in
sensitive
Surgery: Discontinue bel 2 weeks before surgery due to
interference with blood sugar
High doses over a long period of time can be hazardous for
carcinogenic action due to tannins
7. Notes
Preparation Tips: Fresh or well-dried bael parts must always
be used. Decoctions must be boiled until the amount is reduced to get potency
Storage: Dry pulp or bel powder must be kept in air-tight
packets in a dry place to maintain effectiveness.
Consultation: For long-term disorders, long-term treatment,
or combination treatment with medications, recommend an Ayurvedic doctor or
healthcare provider to modify doses and monitor interactions.
This comprehensive overview is derived from traditional
Ayurvedic practices and scientific endorsements to provide constructive
knowledge to use Aegle marmelos for the aforementioned conditions.
8. Reference
1. Therapeutic Potential of Aegle marmelos (L.)-An Overview;
Publisher: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical
2. Phytochemical Analysis of Aegle marmelos: Chromatographic
Elucidation of Polyphenolics and Assessment of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic
Activity; Publisher: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
3. Antiproliferative Activity of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
Leaves in Different Human Cancer Cell Lines: Pharmacognostic Standardisation;
Publisher: Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
4. Action of Aqueous Extract of Aegle marmelos Fruit and
Leaf on Glycemic, Insulinemic and Lipidemic Status of Type 2 Diabetic Model
Rats; Publisher: De
5. Validation of Ethnopharmacological Findings of Aegle
marmelos (L.) Correa using Phytochemical Screening and Bioactivity Assay;
Publisher: ScienceDirect
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post regarding the historical use of medicinal plants is derived from personal experiences over a long period of time and is acquired from authentic online resources. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement of professional medical guidance.
Comments
Post a Comment