Indian Bael

HABITAT

Bael Tree is a mid-size, slow-growing deciduous tree native to India growing up to 18m in the right conditions. It requires a pronounced dry season to give fruit. It is found as a wild plant found all over India and cultivated in north India. It has its origin from Eastern ghats and central India. It’s indigenous to Indian subcontinent and mainly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The tree is also found as a wild tree, in lower ranges of Himalayas up to an elevation of 500 meters. It grows best in rich, well-drained, swamps, alkaline or stony soils having a pH range from 5 to 8.

INTRODUCTION

The Bael tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus and offered in prayers of deities Lord Shiva and Parvati, thus the tree is also known by the name Shivaduma (The Tree of Shiva). The Bael fruit is an integral part of Ayurvedic practice and is also utilized to deal with numerous digestive system problems. It is known to act as a tonic for heart and brain. It is also gut-friendly and has been traditionally used to cure constipation, diarrhoea, diabetes, and other conditions. While all parts of the Bael tree are useful, the fruit’s medicinal value becomes higher when it begins to ripen. The fruit is aromatic, cooling and laxative. It arrests secretion or bleeding. The unripe or half-ripe fruit is good for digestion. It also strengthens the stomach and promotes its action.

BENEFITS

Good for Digestion: Bael fruit is great for digestion because it helps to destroy worms in the intestine. It clears and also tones up the intestines. The laxative property of Bael helps to avoid constipation and also the subsequent pain, discomfort, and associated health risks of that condition. This combined with the antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities, make the Bael fruit ideal for increasing digestive health.

Ayurvedic View: Bael fruit balances Kapha, diarrhoea and jawars (fevers). It helps stimulate both appetite and improves digestive properties.

Helps Reduce Diarrhoea and Dysentery: Bael fruit is a good source of anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties. This helps to reduce diarrhoea. The Tannins present in Bael are also good in fighting against the infection that causes diarrhoea and Dysentery. Bael reduces the growth and inhibits the release of toxins by harmful micro-organisms. Thus, Bael controls the infection and reduces the frequency of stools in case of diarrhoea.

Ayurvedic View: It is Deepana (kindles digestive fire) and pacifies Kapha and Vata. Both ripe and unripe fruit of Bael is described as “grahi” – this means they are absorptive in nature and can be used for dysentery, diarrhoea etc

Helps Diabetics: Bael is beneficial in managing diabetes due to its anti-diabetic property. Bael helps in reducing the blood glucose level. Bael also increases the secretion of insulin. Due to its antioxidant property, Bael also reduces the risk of diabetes related complications

Useful in Controlling Cholesterol: Bael helps control cholesterol due to its antihyperlipidemic activity. The antioxidant activity of certain constituents present in Bael lowers the level of total blood cholesterol, bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. The heart healthy fats present in Bael helps improve the level of good cholesterol. Scientific study suggests that the aqueous extract of Bael leaves are used to manage the level of cholesterol.

Ayurvedic View: Bael help in controlling cholesterol level due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestion) properties. Because high cholesterol is a condition which occurs due to weak or poor digestion that results in the formation and accumulation of Ama. Bael helps to improve your digestion and prevent the formation of Ama, thus controlling cholesterol.

Boosts Immunity: It is the powerhouse of vitamin C which is a strong antioxidant and also High in potassium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, vitamins such as vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin) that increases the strength and potency of the immune system, thereby protecting people from a variety of microbial and viral infections thereby provides relief from common cold, sinus, headache, eye, and ear pain. It is also effective in fighting chronic diseases and reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Tannin, present in the unripe fruit of this plant, has astringent property and is an excellent remedy for diarrhoea. It reduces rapid flush and limit the sensation to defecate, blood, and mucus. Marmelosin, a bioactive compound in has shown anthelmintic as well as antibacterial activities by influencing the early stages of replicative cycle such as adsorption, penetration, etc. The antidiabetic effect may be due to the coumarins present in the fruit which induce the beta cells of islet of Langerhans to produce insulin.

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Marzine PS, Gilbart R: The effect of an aqueous extract of marmelos fruits on serum and tissue lipids in experimental diabetes. J. Sci. Food Agriculture 2005; 85(4); 569-573.
Kamalakkannan, N, and Prince, S M P. (2003) “Effect of Aegle marmelos Correa. (Bael) fruit extract on tissue antioxidants in streptozotocin diabetic rats”. Ind. J. Exp. Biol., 41, Page No.1285-1288.
Kamalakkannan N, Stanely PMP: Hypoglycemic effect on water extracts of Aegle marmelos fruits in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Journal of Ehnopharmacology 2003; 87; 207-210.
Narayanasamy R, Leelavinothan P: In-vivo and in-vitro antioxidant activities of coumarin on chemical induced hyperglycemic rats. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 2011; 2(4); 968-978.
Panda S, Kar A; (2006) “Evaluation of the antithyroid, antioxidative and antihyperglycemic activity of scopoletin from Aegle marmelos leaves in hyperthyroid rats”, Phytother Res. Vol- 20(12), Page No.1103-5.