Introduction:  

Bael tree is considered a sacred tree. Its leaves are offered in prayers. It is known as Adhararutha in Sanskrit, Iyalbudi in Tamil, Sriphalamu in Telugu, Billi in Gujarati, Bengal quince or stone apple in English and Bel in Hindi and Bengali. Its scientific name is Aegle marmelos,and might prove to be   one of the most important medicinal plants in India, Ceylon and Burma.

”No drug has been longer and better known nor more appreciated by the inhabitants of India than the Bael fruit,” said Chopra accurately in his book, Indigenous drugs of India (1982). Bael has been used in the Ayurveda as a part of various formulations since ancient times to help with boils, dysentery, earaches, discharge from ears and fever/cold.

Properties of Bael:

Bael has various properties, and it might plays a role to help with many diseases.It might possess the potential properties such as:

·         It may act as an antidiarrhoeal agent

·         It may be an antimicrobial (effectively kills various microorganisms)

·         It may have radioprotective potential (protects the body from harmful effects of radiation)

·         It might have anticancer potential

·         It may act as an antipyretic (fever-reducing) agent

·         It may have anti-ulcer properties

·         It may be an antigenotoxic (prevents damage to DNA)

·         It may be a diuretic (increases urine output)

·         It may act as an anti- inflammatory agent

Potential Uses of Bael:

Bael might have the following potential uses:

Potential uses of Bael for diabetes:

According to animal studies, oral intake or injection of Bael fruit extract might help to lower blood glucose and haemoglobin-bound glucose levels. It might also help increase the level of insulin in the blood and might help the conversion of glucose in the liver. Certain compounds (coumarins) present in the bael fruit extract might help in the secretion of insulin from the liver, thus might be helpful in lowering blood sugar levels.

Potential uses of Bael for stomach ulcers:

Bael might have stomach protective effects. Stomach ulcers are mainly formed due to the accumulation of free radicals in the stomach cells (oxidative stress).Bael might exhibit antiulcer properties through its potential antioxidant activity and might eliminate the oxidative stress in the stomach lining and ulcer formation. Additionally, the unripe Bael fruit might help with the damage to the stomach lining induced by absolute ethanol (alcohol) in the stomach.

Potential uses of Bael for inflammation:

Bael extracts might help in the reduction of swelling, pain and fever. The alcoholic extract of Bael leaves might potentially inhibit the activation of a receptor (histamine receptor), which is responsible for inflammation and most of the symptoms of allergy and asthma.

Potential uses of Bael for cancer:    

In one of the studies, the administration of Bael has shown the potential to interfere with the growth of a tumour.The exact mechanism has not yet been established, but the alcoholic extract of Bael might have the potential to help against the growth of cancer cells.A bioactive compound present in the leaf extract of Bael might   show a potential to interfere with the growth of breast cancer cells.

Potential usesof Bael for diarrhoea:

The root extract and the unripe fruit pulp of Bael might help with diarrhoea, this potential use has been mentioned even in the ancient Indian texts. This may be due to its potential effect against various bacteria causing stomach infections

Other Potential uses of Bael:

·         The seeds of Bael might helpful to destroy the parasite that causes malaria. Thus, it may act as a potent anti-malarial agent.

·         It was seen that Bael might even reduce the thyroid hormone levels. Therefore, it may be helpful for conditions with elevated thyroid levels like hypothyroidism.

·         Bael, along with other herbal constituents, in a compound Ayurvedic preparation might have potential to help with stomach irritability in irritable bowel syndrome.

·         It was found that the ethanolic extract might have a potential to increase the excretion of sodium and might have potential use as a diuretic at high doses to eliminate excess water and sodium from the body.

·         Bael might have a positive effect on the body by virtue of its potential antioxidant property. This property might be exhibited due to the presence of bioactive compounds like tannins, flavonoids etc. They might neutralise free radicals present in the body and may help reduce  oxidative stress, which is the main causative factor for many diseases.

·         In addition to all its potential health uses, Bael might even be good for the environment as it is a member of the plant species group called ‘climate purifiers’. These plants emit more oxygen in the sunlight than other plants. The Bael plant might also participate in the absorption and neutralisation of harmful poisonous gases from the atmosphere.

·         Bael might also possess potential radioprotective properties. It might help the normal cells of the body against the harmful effects of exposure to radiation. As radiation leads to the production of free radicals in the body, the antioxidant activity of Bael might help the body by acting as a scavenger for these free radicals produced.