Aegle marmelos, commonly known as bael fruit or wood apple, is a fruit native to India and Southeast Asia. The fruit has a hard shell and is about the size of a large grapefruit, with a sweet and aromatic pulp inside that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Bael fruit has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its various health benefits.
Some of the potential benefits of bael fruit include improving digestion, boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and managing diabetes. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into juice, and its leaves and bark may also be used for medicinal purposes.
However, like any food or supplement, bael fruit can have side effects if consumed in excess. Some of the possible side effects of consuming too much bael fruit include stomach upset, constipation, and lowered blood pressure. Pregnant women should also avoid consuming bael fruit or products made from it, as it may cause uterine contractions.
One delicious way to enjoy bael fruit is by making a wood apple smoothie, which combines the fruit with yogurt, honey, and spices such as cardamom and cinnamon. This smoothie is not only tasty but also a healthy way to enjoy the potential benefits of bael fruit. Let's discuss the Aegle marmelos benefits, uses, and side effects in detail, we have also covered all the FAQ's related to this topic.
What is Aegle Marmelos?
Bael botanical name is Aegle Marmelos, some other common names are Bengal quince, golden apple, Japanese bitter orange, stone apple, or wood apple, it is mainly found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Aegle Marmelos is a large tree with a big stout trunk, unusual branches with long, straight outgrowth, aromatic leaves, and sweet-scented greenish-white flowers. The fruit is woody and smooth with numerous seeds which are densely covered with fibrous hair and embedded in a thick aromatic pulp. The flesh is eaten fresh or dried.
Bael tree abounds in the vicinity of temples and is held sacred by the Hindus. The history of this tree has been traced to the Vedic period (2000-800 B.C), Aegle Marmelos is mentioned in Yajur Veda. The leaves of the tree are traditionally offered to Lord Shiva, the God of Health. Lord Shiva is believed to live under the bael tree.
Bael fruits and leaves are used to treat dysentery, dyspepsia, mal-absorption, neurological diseases, edema, vomiting, and rheumatism
Aegle Marmelos Fruit
Aegle Marmelos fruit shows that it consists of 61.5 % of moisture, 1.8% of protein, 0.3% Fat, 1.7% minerals, 2.9% fiber, and 31.8% carbohydrates per 100-gram serving. The mineral and vitamin content includes calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. It’s calorific value is 137. The active constituent of the fruit is marmorosin, which is identical to imperatorin. The fruit is aromatic, cooling, and has laxative properties. The fruits have a hard, smooth-woody shell.
Wood Apple Leaves
The leaves contain skimmianine, sterol, and aegelin. They are dark green in color, and they are alternate, single, or compound with one or occasionally two pairs of shortly stalked opposite leaflets. The leaves are trifoliate and aromatic, mostly when chopped.
What are the Health Benefits of Stone Apple?
The Aegle Maarmelos is one of the most useful medicinal plants. Its medicinal properties have been described in the ancient medical treatise in Sanskrit, Charaka Samhita. All parts of the tree, stem, root, bark, leaves, and fruit at all stages of maturity have been used as medicine since ancient times.
The fruit’s medical value is high when it begins to ripen. The unripe or half-ripe fruit is good for digestion, it helps to strengthen the stomach and promotes its action.
Here are some health benefits of Bael Fruit
For Constipation
Ripe Aegle Maarmelos fruit is regarded as one of the best laxatives. It cleans and tones up the intestine, and with regular use for 2-3 months, it helps to throw out even the old accumulated fecal matter.
For Diarrhea and Dysentery
The unripe or half-ripe fruit is perhaps the most effective remedy for chronic diarrhea and dysentery. For best results consumed dried fruit powder of Aegle Maarmelos.
For Peptic Ulcer
Aegle Maarmelos leaves are an effective remedy for peptic and ulcers, they are rich in tannin which reduces inflammation and helps in the healing of ulcers.
For Ear Disorder
The root of the tree is used as a home remedy for curing ear problems, it has astringent properties which help to cure the infection, chronic inflammation, and discharge.
For Respiratory Disorder
A medicated bael leaves oil gives relief from recurrent colds and respiratory affections. Juice of bael leaves mixed with an equal quantity of gingelly or sesame oil and heated thoroughly. A few seeds of black pepper and half tsp of black cumin are added to the heated oil which is then cooled and stored for use.
A teaspoon of this oil massaged into the scalp before a head bath regularly builds resistance to cold and cough.
For Diabetes
Aegle Marmelos fruit has anti-diabetes properties, it helps to reduce diabetes and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
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What are the uses of Stone Apple?
Dosage and uses depend upon the health problems and conditions or as recommended by an Ayurvedic doctor. The general recommended dosage is 5-10 grams of Aegle Marmelos fruit twice a day before an hour of a meal. A decoction of the leaf with honey and water can also be used.
Here are the uses of the Aegle Marmelos
- Take 5-10 leaves of Aegle Marmelos and soaked overnight in water, strained the water in a cup, and drink in the morning, helps to give relief from pain and discomfort.
- Take 10 grams of dried Aegle Marmelos fruit powder, 1 cup water, and ½ tsp jaggery or brown sugar. Mix all of them and cook for 5-7 minutes, giving relief from diarrhea and dysentery.
- Take 5 grams of Aegle Marmelos fruit powder with lukewarm water twice a day, helps to cure constipation.
- Take a small piece of Aegle Marmelos root and dipped it in neem oil and light it, the oil that drips from the burning end is an effective medicine for ear problems.
- Eat unripe or half-ripe fruit daily, helps to cure constipation.
What are the Side Effects of Stone Apple?
All Ayurveda herbs are plant-based, and they don’t have any side effects but they may react with some allopathy or homeopathy medicine. It is better to consult the doctor if you are on any medications or have special health issues.
Some side effects are mentioned below.
- Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
- Do not take without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
- If you are on diabetes or on hypertension medication. Consult the doctor before consuming.
- Excessive intake of Stone Apple may produce a sensation of heaviness in the stomach.
- Sometimes Ayurveda herbs may interreact with allopathy or homeopathy, Consult the doctor before consuming.
- If you are on blood-thinning medication, consult the doctor first before consuming it.
- If you are going for surgery, then stop using Aegle Marmelos before 2 weeks of surgery.
Stone Apple / Bael Shake Recipe
The recipe is very easy and ready in less time, in India it is mainly used in the summer season because of its cooling properties. It is best to drink this shake in breakfast so that it can easily be digested.
Here is the Aegle Marmelos Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- Stone Apple Fruit pulp without seed – 100 gm
- Milk – 1 ½ cup
- Jaggery Powder or Brown Sugar – 1 tbsp.
- Green Cardamom Powder – ¼ tsp
- Cinnamon Powder - a small pinch
- Ice cubes – 3-4
Method
- Take a mixer jar and add all the ingredients except ice cubes.
- Blend it and add the ice cubes.
- Put the mixture in a glass and serve cold.
Aegle Marmelos Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- Stone Apple Fruit pulp without seed – 100 gm
- Jaggery Powder or Brown Sugar – 1 tbsp.
- Roasted Cumin Powder – ½ tsp
- Salt – ¼ tsp or as per taste
- Water – 1 glass
- Ice Cubes – 2-3
Method
- Take a mixer jar and add all the ingredients except ice cubes and cumin powder.
- Blend it and add the ice cubes and cumin powder.
- Put the mixture in a glass and serve cold.
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Frequently Asked Question
Q - Is Aegle marmelos fruit edible?
Aegle marmelos fruit has a hard shell cover from the outside with pulp and seeds inside. Its fruit pulp is used to make summer coolers, and dessert and pulp dry powder is used in Ayurveda for medicinal purposes. In hotter regions like it is a summer refreshing drink.
Q - What is the English name of Aegle marmelos?
Aegle marmelos English name is stone apple or wood apple, in Hindi, it's called Bael. It is mainly found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Q - Is wood apple good for health?
Wood apple fruit contains 61.5 % of moisture, 1.8% of protein, 0.3% Fat, 1.7% minerals, 2.9% fiber, and 31.8% carbohydrates per 100-gram serving. The mineral and vitamin content includes calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. It helps to maintain gut health and gives relief from constipation.
Q - Is stone apple good for diabetes?
Aegle Marmelos fruit has anti-diabetes properties, it helps to reduce diabetes and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Q - Can we eat Aegle Marmelos leaves?
Aegle Marmelos leaves are used in Ayurveda for medicinal purposes, take 5-10 leaves of Aegle Marmelos and soaked overnight in water, strained the water in a cup, and drink in the morning, helps to give relief from pain and discomfort.
Q - What is bael leaves called in English?
The bael leaves English name is Stone Apple, and its botanical name is Aegle Marmelos. Some other common names are Bengal quince, golden apple, Japanese bitter orange, stone apple, or wood apple.
Q - How to eat Bael fruit?
- To eat a Bael fruit, follow these steps:
- Choose a ripe fruit that has a yellowish-brown or grayish-green outer shell.
- Use a sharp knife to make a shallow cut around the fruit's equator.
- Gently twist the fruit into two halves.
- Scoop out the pulpy segments from each half using a spoon.
- Discard the seeds and the fibrous portions, retaining only the pulpy segments.
- The pulp can be eaten directly or blended into a juice or smoothie.
Q - What does Bael fruit taste like?
The taste of Bael fruit is often described as sweet and aromatic. The flavor profile can vary depending on the ripeness of the fruit, ranging from mildly sweet to tangy and slightly sour.
Q - Can Bael fruit help with digestion?
Yes, Bael fruit is known for its digestive properties. It contains high amounts of fiber, which can aid in promoting healthy digestion and preventing constipation. The fruit is often used in traditional medicine to alleviate digestive issues such as indigestion, diarrhea, and dysentery.
Q - Does Bael fruit have any medicinal properties?
Bael fruit has been used in traditional medicine for its various medicinal properties. It is believed to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic properties. Additionally, it may help in managing cholesterol levels and boosting the immune system.
Q - What are the nutritional values of Aegle marmelos fruit?
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Bael fruit is rich in essential nutrients. While the exact nutritional composition may vary, here are some common nutritional values per 100 grams of edible fruit pulp:
- Calories: 137
- Carbohydrates: 31 grams
- Protein: 2.6 grams
- Fat: 0.3 grams
- Fiber: 2.6 grams
- Vitamin C: 8.7 milligrams
- Calcium: 85 milligrams
- Iron: 1.8 milligrams
Q - Is Bael fruit good for weight loss?
Bael fruit can be a part of a balanced weight loss diet due to its high fiber content. The fiber helps promote feelings of fullness and can assist in controlling appetite. However, it's important to note that weight loss is achieved through a combination of factors including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and overall calorie control.
Q - Can Bael fruit be used for treating diarrhea?
Yes, Bael fruit is often used in traditional medicine to help alleviate symptoms of diarrhea. It has astringent properties and can help reduce loose stools. Consuming the pulp or drinking Bael fruit juice in moderation may aid in managing diarrhea.
Q - Can Bael fruit be used in cooking or recipes?
Yes, Bael fruit can be used in various culinary preparations. The pulp can be consumed directly, blended into juices or smoothies, or used as an ingredient in desserts, jams, and chutneys. It is also used to make a popular traditional beverage called "Bael Sharbat" in some regions.
Q - Is Bael fruit safe during pregnancy?
Bael fruit is generally considered safe to consume during pregnancy when eaten in moderation. However, it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet during pregnancy.
Q - Can Bael fruit help in managing diabetes?
Bael fruit may have potential benefits for managing diabetes. It contains certain compounds that may help regulate blood sugar levels. However, individuals with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels closely and consult with a professional.