Among the fruits with medicinal value, the bael, occupies a place of pride. It has great therapeutic value and health attributes. It is revered by Hindus, who use its leaves as an offering for Lord Shiva.

Bael is covered with fibrous content, good amount of seeds and is full of the pulp with sweet sticking syrup inside. It is a summer fruit and is cultivated throughout India. It is rich in minerals and Vitamins. The sherbet of this fruit is packed with nutrition and health building ingredients.

All parts of fruit are used in treating various diseases. The medicinal properties of the fruit include:
The half ripe fruit works as an astringent, improves digestion, enhances appetite and helps fight scurvy caused due to vitamin C deficiency.
The fruit is also an effective food remedy from chronic diarrahoea and dysentery where there is no fever.
The ripe fruit is aromatic, and possesses astringent like qualities which help construction of skin, and work as a coolant and laxative.
The regular use of fruit for 2 - 3 months helps in the expulsion of decaying fecal matter from the bowels. Best result can be obtained by the using the dried bael or its powder. The powder should be preserved in air tight bottles.
An infusion or bael leaves is regarded as an effective food remedy for peptic ulcer. The leaves are soaked overnight in water. The strained water of these leaves is taken as a drink in the morning. The patient is relieved of pain and discomfort with continued treatment for about a week or so.
The bael fruit taken in the form of beverage is also full of great healing properties on account of its mucilage sticky or viscous contents. This substance forms a coating on the stomach mucosa and helps in the healing of the ulcers..
A medicated oil prepared from bael leaves gives relief from recurrent colds and respiratory affections.
A teaspoonful of this oil when massaged into the Scalp before head bath builds resistance against cold and cough.
In many parts of India the juice of leaves of Bael is used to bring relief from wheezing and respiratory spasms.


(Compiled by Seema Ghildiyal)