Bael: Medicinal Uses, Benefits and More

The bael tree is one of those helpful trees that have been blessing humans for many centuries. The Bael tree can be commonly found in Southeast Asia. Starting from the bael leaf to the fruit, each part of this tree contains high nutrients and medicinal value.

In India, Bael is also considered sacred, as the Bael fruit and leaves are used for many religious purposes. To know about the bael benefits, history, uses, side effects, and other significant information, reading this blog can be highly helpful, as we have highlighted all these aspects in detail.    

What is Bael?

In India, Bael is commonly referred to as a tropical fruit that is hard-shelled and edible. The scientific name of bael is Aegle marmelos, but it is also widely known as the wood apple or Bengal quince.

Appearance:

• A round, pear-shaped fruit
• Size of a large orange or grapefruit
• Hard outer shell with sweet aromatic plum inside
• Leaves usually grow in groups of three

From being used for worship to being utilised as a primary ingredient in the preparation of several medicines, bael usage is quite wide and common, especially in India and Asian countries.

Nutritional Content of Bael

Often, individuals underestimate the benefits of bael, assuming it is just an ordinary fruit with just a good taste and average nutrients. But that’s not the actual scenario. In reality, 100 grams of bael fruit nutrition includes the following:

Uses of Bael

Bael, due to its healing properties and health-benefiting nature, is utilized for several purposes, and some of them are as follows:

1. Medicinal uses: Bael is used in the preparation of many medicines and Ayurvedic remedies that help treat problems like diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, indigestion, bloating, diabetes, cough, and even asthma and bronchitis.

2. Culinary uses: Juicy and fresh bael is used for preparing many beverages and dishes. It mainly includes bael pana, sharbat, murabba, chutneys, jams, candies, herbal teas, or powder supplements. In addition to being healthy, these items also taste good.

3. For worship: In Hindu scriptures, bael patra leaves hold high significance. They are believed to be the favourite offering to Lord Shiva. During devotional ceremonies or Mahashivratri, devotees place bael patras on the Lord Shiva linga, as they symbolize the Hindu Trinity, representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. 

4. For skin care: Bael contains many skin-friendly compounds, and that’s one of the major reasons why people make bael masks, creams, and pastes and apply them on their skin to treat skin problems like acne, rashes, blemishes, redness, itching, aging, and so on.

5. For boosting immunity: For years, our grandparents and ancestors have been using bael pana and sharbat to uplift their overall immune system and fight back against various diseases, and the remedy is still in use. In many Indian households, bael is still utilized as a natural immunity booster.

Health Benefits of Bael

There are innumerable benefits of Bael when consumed effectively. From boosting your paachan agni (digestive fire) to overall nourishment and wellness of your whole body, Bael can help in several ways. A brief about these bael fruit health benefits is as follows:

1. Gentle with your digestive system

Bael contains many such properties that are good for your digestion. The anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties remove digestive inflammation, treat cholera, and also combat the infection called shigellosis. Let us tell you that it is the same infection that is responsible for diarrhea.

Individuals who incorporate bael juice or bael fruit in any form in their diet also admit that their bowel movements get regulated, and they do not experience issues like constipation, gas, bloating, stomach ulcers, and abdominal pain.

2. Help manage diabetes

Bael benefits those who are struggling with diabetes, as this fruit has a natural inbuilt ability to lower blood sugar levels through its bioactive compounds and tannins. Additionally, it also regulates the production of insulin from the cells into the bloodstream, supporting overall blood sugar management.

In many Ayurvedic textbooks, remedies are mentioned that involve bael bark and branches for the management of madhumeha along with some bitter herbs. So, if you or anyone in your home is struggling and looking for a natural solution for diabetes, then sipping a glass of bael juice may be beneficial. But make sure not to drink it on an empty stomach.

3. Ensure radiant skin

Bael is known to possess many skin-friendly effects that can, on one side, boost your existing skin health and glory, and on the other hand, also combat many skin diseases and problems.
 

Unlike chemical-based products, bael provides a root-cause-based treatment approach through which skin problems can be healed.

Bael Fruit Benefits for skin:

• Boost skin collagen and prevent premature aging
• Heal acne & treat infections
• Hydrate and rejuvenate the skin
• Reduce blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles
• Soothe skin and reduce irritation
• Support the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, or fungal infection

4. Improve cardiovascular health

Studies have confirmed that bael is highly beneficial when it comes to boosting heart health. Through its healthy antioxidants, it reduces oxidative stress, which otherwise may cause damage or inflammation of the blood vessels.

 Being rich in potassium, it also prevents plaque buildup and high blood pressure. Also, if you have high or bad cholesterol and want to manage it naturally, bael juice is one of the best remedies available out there.

6. Promotes respiratory health

Being a powerhouse of anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, Bael serves as an amazing remedy to treat respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, allergy, cough, and so on.

By soothing irritated airways, it clears mucus congestion and fights off infections, which eventually results in improved respiratory health. Additionally, it is quite high in Vitamin C, which works as a strong immune system booster.

6. Keep Hair healthy and strong

If you want your hair to be long, strong, healthy, and shiny, then yes, you can add bael juice to your diet. Filled with Vitamin A, C, and many other helpful nutrients, it nourishes the scalp and makes your hair strong from the roots, resulting in a significant reduction in hair loss.

Also blessed with anti-fungal properties, it works as a natural remedy to control dandruff, scalp itchiness, or irritation. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest applying bael pulp or paste directly to the hair roots for shiny, strong, and lustrous hair.

7. Good for lactation

Bael is considered helpful for new mothers during breastfeeding. In fact, it is an old Ayurvedic remedy where bael juice (sharbat) is combined with gudd (jaggery) and Saunth (dry ginger), and is given to breastfeeding mothers to amplify milk production and provide postpartum warmth.

Additionally, it also contains essential vitamins and minerals that can support the mother’s recovery and boost her immunity to fight off possible infections or allergies after delivery. However, you need to be very careful about its dosage and should always seek guidance from a doctor before adding it to the post-delivery diet.

Side Effects of Bael

Certain side effects of bael may arise when consumed in excess, not as per the required portion. These mainly include rashes, itching, redness, stomach pain, heaviness, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc. But these side effects only occur in patients who either consume bael in excess amounts or have a weak digestive/immune system.

Precautions:

There are certain important things that you should always keep in mind while consuming bael. These are necessary not just because you can have optimal bael benefits, but also for protection from the possible side effects.

1. Avoid Bael if you are allergic to it or develop any kind of skin issues after consumption. 

2. Pregnant ladies should avoid having bael in excess amounts, as the studies are limited to confirm the safety relationship between bael and the growing fetus.

3. If you are diabetic and are on medications, then please avoid bael. Otherwise, it may interfere with your existing medications, or possibly your blood sugar levels may drop to concerning levels.

4. Lastly, if your digestive system is weak and you experience issues like stomach ache, mouth ulcers, nausea, vomiting, etc. after having bael, then you should stop consuming it.

Recommended Dosage:

How much bael is good for you merely depends upon 2 things: first, the purpose you are taking it for, and second, the form you are having it in.

1. Bael Juice: 1/2 - 1 cup. You can have it twice a day, around 30 minutes before your meals.

2. Bael churna: Generally, you can take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of bael powder twice a day along with honey, jaggery, or lukewarm water.

3. Bael Capsules: Mostly, doctors recommend 1-2 capsules or tablets of bael to the patients. However, the actual dosage may vary depending on your medical condition.

Takeaway

By summarising all the information stated above, we can conclude the Bael tree as one of the blessings that Mother Earth has given us. In India, we use Bael patra leaves for religious purposes as well as for many healing and health-benefiting motives. Starting from its roots, to the leaves, and including the bael fruit, each part of this tree is helpful in a certain way. The only thing you should be careful about bael is its dosage and whether its consumption aligns with your medical condition or not.