Aegle Marmelos is locally called as the Bael tree in India. It is a sacred tree for the Hindus. Lord Shiva is lived under this tree. That is why the leaves of this tree are traditionally offered while praying to him.Yajuveda, One of the four vedas of Hinduism mentioned about this plant in 2000 B.C. itself. Charaka Samhita mentions that the tree’s stem, root, bark, leaves and fruit have medicinal value at all stages of its maturity. This article tries to gain further insight.
Components of the Fruit Aegle Marmelos
| S.No. | Component | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Moisture | 61.5 |
| 2. | Carbohydrates | 31.8 |
| 3. | Fibre | 2.9 |
| 4. | Proteins | 1.8 |
| 5. | Minerals | 1.7 |
| 6. | Fat | 0.3 |
| 7. | Calorific Value | 137 |
Benefits of Aegle Marmelos
Respiratory Disorders: Sesame oil, black pepper seeds and black cumin seeds are added to the juices of the leaves. The oil is then heated and allowed to cool. Massage of teaspoon of this oil on the scalp before head bath is beneficial against cold and cough .
Diarrhea and Dysentery: The half-ripe fruit can be eaten. Or the fruit is dried under the sun. It is then powdered. Intake of teaspoons of this powder in glass of water is the best remedy against chronic diarrhea and dysentery.
Peptic Ulcer: Leaves of this fruit are rich in a component called Tanin. It effectively reduces the infection and heal the ulcers. The leaves are soaked in water at night. The secretions released by the leaves get absorbed in the water the whole night. In the morning, the leaves are removed. Intake of the infusion reduces the pain and discomfort of the ulcer.
Constipation:Ripe fruit of Aegle Marmelos is a potent laxatives. When about 70 gms of the fruit is taken for 2 to 3 months, even the old fecal matter in the intestines gets cleaned up. Its intake in the form of a drink called sherbet gives best results. The ripe fruit is broken and the seeds are removed. The contents are removed with a spoon and sieved. Adding Milk and sugar makes the drink palatable.
