Bael fruit (Wood Apple): Health & Medicinal Value of Aegle marmelos

Introduction/All about Bael

The bael is a thorny, deciduous, and religious tree, that grows up 5-15 meters in height with greyish and shallowly furrowed bark. January to April are the flowering months of the bael. 

Its fruits are found in spherical shape and size runs of 6-10 cm diameter with brownish orange color flesh, consisting whitish seeds, fibrous pulp, rosy aroma, and nice, sweet, and tangy taste. It has a hard shell exteriorly and that's why it was named wood apple or stone apple.

The bael tree is a most effective Ayurvedic plant with several health advantages that have been explained well in Charaka Samhita and pointed out in YAJURVEDA as well. 

All parts like fruits, leaves, stems, gum, bark, and root have been used for Ayurvedic therapeutic purposes for a longer extent. Actually it is native to India. Apart from this, Pakistan,  Sri Lanka,  Bangladesh, and Burma are the countries, where it is grown up in abundance.

According to Hindu religion, it is considered as a sacred fruit. This is the key reason that its tree is seen in large quantity around the temples. During the worship of Lord Shiva, its leaves (called Bel-Patra) are used by the Hindu people. Relating to Hinduism, it is believed that Lord Shiva resides under this tree. 

It needs a pronounced dried out season, soil pH range 5-10, temperature amounts from 8°C to 48 °C  to provide fruit.

All the part of the bael tree are useful that will come in some sorts of work like soap, fragrances, pesticides, home furniture, worshipping, Ayurvedic medicines etc. and many types of food or drink items can be made to enjoy with such as sharbat, squashes, mixed juice, nectar, slab,  jam, toffee, milkshake, murabba, salads, chutney,   and so many more.

What Are The Various Names Of Wood Apple?

The bael fruit is well known by its different labels such as Indian Bael, Wood apple, Golden Apple,  Elephant apple, Stone apple,  Bengal quince, Monkey fruit, Japanese bitter orange, Bilva,  Bel,Kath Bel,Dadhinama, Manamath, Pushpaphal, Sirphal, Dadhiphal, Pushpaphala, Bilwa, Beli, Bilan, Kavita, Kabeet, Katori, Kaitha, Barnasi, Kapipriya,  Aegle marmelos, Limonia acidissima etc.

Nutritional Account of Bael Fruit

Bael has been used for hundreds of year in Ayurvedic arrangements of medicines due to its valuable and useful nutrients along with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients. Let's have a sharpened look at the nutrients of Bael -

Carbohydrate, Fat, Proteins, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Thiamine,    Niacin, Riboflavin, Chromium, Carotene, Phosphorous, Calcium, Magnesium,  Potassium, Manganese, Zinc, Iron, Fiber and many others.

Medicinal & Health benefits of Bael

Treat Sexual diseases

Bael can be employed in different sexual issues like impotence, early ejaculation, spermatorrhea etc. A few of medical reports already enlightened us its aphrodisiac quality that improves sexual activities in male being.

Bael for Diabetes

Bael is a bitter and pungent in nature that can help in the production of insulin via stimulating pancreatic iselet cells which bring about reducing sugar level in the blood.

Cures Scorpion Sting

On the account of a scorpion bite, make a paste of its leaves and apply locally to get instant pain relief.

Anemia/ Iron Deficiency & Bael

Bael is a great source of iron and we all know that iron can treat Anemia. In addition, it has the capacity to increase the production of hemoglobin in the blood.

Bael for treatment of Tuberculosis

However, there is absolutely no special reap the benefits of bael fruit in tuberculous disease but it can help in suppressing other related symptoms.

Improves Immunity

Bael is filled with an antioxidant, referred to as vitamin C that helps to boost immunity power and puts a stop to growing older.

Respiratory issues

Its extract oil can be used to get rid of different respiratory and breathing troubles just like a common cold, asthma etc.

Treats Digestive issues

Bell is a medicine that has the ability to cure different types of abdominal disorders.

It contains abundant fibers which are effective in treating constipation. 

If you suffer from suppressed appetite, consume its leaves powder for a couple of days without interruption to get benefits as it increases appetite. Wood apple stuffed with tannin, phenolic compounds, anti-oxidants which are incredibly effective to take care of dysentery, diarrhoea, cholera, stomachache, bloating, Crohn's disease, colitis, acidity, oral ulcers, ulcerative colitis, piles/hemorrhoid, intestinal worms,  indigestion, heartburn, gas problems, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, intestinal worms,  irritable bowel syndrome etc.

Unripe wood apple is comparable to Ramvana treatment for dysentery and diarrhea. It restricts the acidic secretion in the stomach, so, due to which the peptic ulcer is cured. 

Apart from this, it helps prevent liver diseases like jaundice, cirrhosis of liver, hepatomegaly and liver infection since it has hepato-protective properties.

Improves vitality of your Body

The wood apple possesses a number of nutrients, vitamins, protein, minerals, antioxidants etc. that will offer potential body energy and boost the body function.

An Effective solution for Ear-pain

Ayurvedic practitioners dependably utilized the root of the wood apple to deal with ear-ache.

Bael can Prevent Breast Cancer

Bael is an all natural anticancer, and radioprotective ingredient that can prevent breast cancer as it offers phytochemicals to fight against neoplastic cell growth.

Purify the Blood (Blood Cleanser)

Bael fruit is well known for its blood purifying properties. It can remove systemic toxins if taken in the form of juice blended with warm water. 

It can lessen the strain on the kidneys and liver organ and make it work properly.

Can be used to control cholesterol & treat heart diseases

Bael is packed with fibers that lessen the absorption of cholesterol. The extract of bael leaves can be used for the same goal to regulate and control cholesterol levels in the blood.

It has the therapeutic value of heart attacks, cardiac strokes because its leaves contain phytonutrients that can control raised blood pressure. A concoction of bael leaves enables you to calm in the cases of mental tension related hypertension.

Can cure scurvy with Vitamin C

Scurvy is directly concerned with deficiency of vitamin C. And also other hand bael is loaded with vitamin C which is competent to treat Scurvy.

Anti-inflammatory property

Almost all kinds of swelling can be treated with bael. For this motive, used to apply bael leaves extract on the inflamed part of the body to get swift outcomes. An anti-inflammatory quality of bael may be obtained by application of its leaves paste as it can alleviate arthritis or gout associated pain.

Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal efficacies

Bael fruit can fight against different kinds of infection including bacteria, virus, and fungus as well.

Drive back Malarial fever

The bark of bael tree has been used to treat malarial fever for thousands of years. Other than this, the juice extracted from the bael leaves can be used for the same purpose.

Apart from these, bael can be used in the conditions of menstrual issues, weight problem,  headaches, vertigo, Morning Sickness During Pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, eye disorder, used to treat fractures, side effects of Radiotherapy, skin diseases (vitiligo/leucoderma, skin rashes, itching, redness, swelling, pimples/acne), epilepsy, urinary diseases and many others.

Precautions and Side Effects of Bael Fruit

Despite several health advantages, it is important to consider some safety measures and precautions before consuming it since it may deliver some negative effects and that is certainly next -

Abdominal disorders - 

Although, bael fruit is a key remedy to treat different kind of gastrointestinal diseases, mostly dysentery, and diarrhoea. But too much consumption of bael may cause stomach pain, bloating, flatulence, and gas formation in the stomach. 

So, always avoid excessive and unnecessary consumption of wood apple.

Pregnancy - 

During the third trimester of the pregnancy, you need to avoid excessive bael consumption because it can increase the risk of abortion. Apart from this, do not make use of it during breastfeeding.

Thyroid disorder - 

Patient with thyroid malfunctions, should not consume bael as well.

High blood pressure - It is better avoided in the case of hypertension.

Surgical operations - 


If you have fixed a scheduled surgical operation, try to avoid its consumption or take an advice to your doctor to prevent any unwanted bad effects.

Diabetes - 

If you are taking hypoglycemic drug then try to make a proper distance from bael consumption because it may lower blood sugar. Or contact your doctor to adjust the dosage of the anti-diabetic drug.

Always keep in your mind, it should never be used more than ever. Dependably check it out in a small amount to avoid side effects.

WRITTEN  BY  RAJESH  KUMAR