Bael is one of the important medicinal fruits. Its health benefits have been described in Charaka Samhita, an ancient medical treatise in Sanskrit. A ripen bael fruit has various health benefits. It has various Ayurvedic properties such as digestive, stomachic and astringent which also helps in improving appetite.
Bael fruit helps in fighting scurvy, which is caused due to vitamin C deficiency. The botanical name of the fruit is Aegle marmelos. It is commonly called Stone apple, bel or Sirphal. Bael fruit is rich in nutrients. It has 1.8 % protein, 61.5% moisture, 0.3% fat, 1.7% mineral, 2.9% fiber, 31.8% carbohydrates and 100 grams edible part. The fruit is also rich in phosphorus, calcium, carotene, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. Various health benefits of bael fruit have been discussed in this article.
Health Benefits of Bael Fruit
- Dysentery – Bael is rich in tannin content, thus it is helpful in cholera and dysentery.
- Digestive System — The fruit is a mild laxative, thus it helps digestion.
- Hemorrhoids — A decoction is prepared with fennel, ginger and unripe bael fruit to cure hemorrhoids.
- Fever — Leaves juice is mixed with honey to cure fever and catarrh.
- Inflammations — Hot poultice prepared by leaves is an effective cure for several inflammations.
- Malaria — A decoction prepared by bark is helpful in treatment of malaria.
- Snakebite — The bark, leaves and roots are used to cure snakebite.
- Peptic Ulcer — An infusion from bael leaves are used to treat peptic ulcer.
- Respiration — Bael leaves juice is administered to patients with wheezing and respiratory spasm.
- Leaves, roots and fruits of bael tree have an antibiotic activity.
The above are some of the health benefits of bael fruit. The leaves of bael tree should not be taken by pregnant women as it can cause abortion.
