What is Bael Fruit? Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of Aegle Marmelos, Stone Apple Tasty Recipes

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Bael fruit, also known as Aegle marmelos or stone apple, is a fruit that has been revered for its medicinal properties for centuries in South Asia. With a yellow-green outer shell and fragrant, juicy pulp inside, bael fruit is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients and antioxidants that can boost your health in many ways. From aiding digestion to improving respiratory health, the benefits of bael fruit are numerous. In this article, we will delve into the various health benefits and uses of bael fruit, as well as some potential side effects to be aware of. We will also provide you with some tasty recipes to help you incorporate this nutritious fruit into your diet. Whether you're a fan of tropical fruits or are just curious about the benefits of bael fruit, this article is sure to provide you with valuable information to help you live a healthier life.

2. What is Bael Fruit? 

Bael fruit botanical name is Aegle marmelos, some other common names are Stone Apple, Wood Apple, Bengal quince, bel, bela, Sri phal, bilva. It is mainly found in India and grows throughout the sub-continent as well as in most countries of Southeast Asia. The bael fruit is woody and smooth with numerous seeds which are densely covered with fibrous hair and embedded in a thick aromatic pulp, flesh is eaten fresh or dried.

Bael fruit is generally grown in the month of February to May, the outer covering is a hard shell that needs to be cracked open to obtain the orange color pulp which has a lot of seeds in between.

3. Nutritional Profile of Aegle Marmelos

The bael fruit shows that it consists of moisture 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 active constituent of the fruit is marmorosin, which is identical to imperatorin, other coumarins contained in the fruits are alto imperatorin and B sitosterol. The pulp of Bael fruit is used to prepare juice or also known as Bael sherbet. The pulp is also eaten on its own. In many practices, people make a powder from the pulp and use it as a medicine in treating various ailments.

The ripe Bael fruit pulp is sweet orangey like a mix of papaya and sour lime or also resembles mango. The sweetness of the fruit depends on the ripening stages. Bael may even taste sour if it is not ripened properly.

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4. Ayurvedic properties of Bael Fruit

Bael fruit, also known as Wood Apple or Bilva in Ayurveda, is a highly esteemed fruit with numerous health benefits. It is considered sacred in Hindu culture and is widely used in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties.

Ayurvedic properties of Bael fruit:

1. Rasa (Taste): Bael fruit is believed to have a combination of sweet (Madhura), sour (Amla), and astringent (Kashaya) tastes.

2. Virya (Potency): It is cooling in nature (Sheeta Virya).

3. Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is sweet (Madhura Vipaka).

4. Dosha Effects: Bael fruit primarily balances Pitta dosha and Vata dosha. However, in excess, it may increase Kapha dosha due to its cooling nature.

Ayurvedic Uses:

1. Digestive Health: Bael fruit is renowned for its excellent digestive properties. It helps improve digestion, relieve constipation, and manage various digestive disorders like diarrhea, dysentery, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Immune Support: Bael fruit is believed to boost the immune system and improve overall immunity, helping the body fight off infections and diseases.

3. Respiratory Health: It is used to manage respiratory conditions like cough, bronchitis, and asthma due to its cooling and expectorant properties.

4. Cardiovascular Health: Bael fruit is beneficial for heart health. It may help manage cholesterol levels, improve blood circulation, and support overall cardiovascular function.

5. Anti-inflammatory: Bael fruit possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to manage inflammatory conditions.

6. Urinary Health: Bael fruit is used to support urinary health and manage conditions like urinary tract infections.

7. Liver Support: It is used to support liver health and improve liver function, making it helpful in managing various liver disorders.

5. What are the Health Benefits of Aegle Marmelos Fruit?

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, it is aromatic, cooling, and a laxative. It arrests secretion or bleeding; the unripe or half-ripe fruit is good for digestion. It is useful in preventing or curing scurvy. It also strengthens the stomach and promotes its action.

Here are the health benefits of the Aegle Maarmelos fruit

For Constipation

Ripe bael fruit is regarded as one of the best laxatives, it cleans and tones up the intestine. With regular use for 2-3 months, it throws 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 without fever. The best result is obtained using dried bael or its powder.

For Peptic Ulcer

Aegle Maarmelos fruit contains mucilage which forms a coating on the stomach mucosa and helps to heal the peptic ulcer.

For Digestion

Bael fruit contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, that help to treat digestive problems, it helps to control gastric ulcers and levels of oxidative stress in the gastric tract.

For Cholesterol

Wood Apple has cardio-protective and antioxidant properties, that help to maintain cholesterol level and reduces the risk of heart diseases.

For Scurvy

Bael fruit is a rich source of vitamin C which helps to treat scurvy, a disease due to the deficiency of Vitamin C.

For Heart

Stone Apple contains cardio-protective and antioxidant properties that help to play a vital role in heart ailments, it helps to control cholesterol levels, strengthen the heart muscle, and maintain lipid accumulation. 

6. What is Aegle Marmelos used for?

Bael fruit pulp is not only used in juices but also in preparing alcoholic beverages like wine which is prepared from Bael fruit pulp. Bael fruit is also used in making puddings, murabba, and mousse. The dried bael fruit pulp is also used in Ayurveda to cure various health ailments.

Here are some uses of Bael fruit

• Take ripe bael fruit and remove the seed, spoon out the pulp, and sieve, add milk and sugar, and blend it. Regular use for 2-3 months, helps to treat constipation.
• 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.
• Unripe bale fruit is very effective in improving digestion and preventing constipation.
• The ripe bael fruit plays a key role in treating and curing diarrhea and cholera.

7. Side Effects of the Wood 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 Apples 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 before surgery.

8. Bael Fruit Recipes

All the recipes are purely vegetarian and can be a healthy option for the diner, they are very simple and ready in minutes.

Bael Fruit Mousse with Coffee

Serves – 4, Time Require – 10 min

Ingredients

• Bael Pulp – 60 gm
• Condensed Milk – 30 gm
• Whipped Cream – 200 ml
• Instant Coffee – 6 gm

Method

• Combine Bael pulp and condensed milk together using a spatula and refrigerate.
• Whip the cream to a stiff peak, and fold in with the pulp mixture.
• Add instant coffee.
• Pipe into a clean, halved shell, of the wood apple.
• Garnish with mint sprig and dust with coffee.
• Serve chilled.

Bael Fruit Curd Tart

Serves – 16 Tart Shells, Cooking Time – 15 minutes

Ingredients - For Sweet Crust Paste

• Unsalted Butter – 120 gm
• Flour - 120 gm
• Icing Sugar – 60 gm
• Bael Pulp – 60 gm

For – Bael Curd

• Castor Sugar – 100 gm
• Butter – 100 gm
• Lime Juice – 30 gm
• Bael Juice – 60 gm

Method

• For the sweet paste: cut the flour through the chilled butter followed by the icing sugar, and Bael pulp, and combine to form a dough. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Grease tart shells with butter, spread the sweet paste in the tart shell, and blind bake for 20 minutes at 180°C.
• For the Bael curd: cook the butter, sugar, lime juice and
• Bael pulp over a double boiler until thick. Allow cooling in the refrigerator for 25 minutes
• Fill the cooled tart shells with Bael curd and serve cold with a garnish of mint sprig and dust of icing sugar.

Bael Fruit Gelato

Serves: 08, Time Required: 10 Minutes

Ingredients

• Bael Fruit – 200 gm
• Ice Cubes – 200 gm
• Castor Sugar – 75 gm

Method

• Grind ice cubes and the castor sugar together.
• Add the Bael pulp to the ice mixture and blend until smooth.
• Churn freeze occasionally, serve one scoop per person with a garnish of mint sprig.