Bael, also known as wood apple is common South Asian fruit. Its various parts are not only used as a traditional healing remedy but are also used as an ingredient in South Asian cuisine.
All parts of the Bael tree have medicinal benefits and are used in several forms. Most commonly used part of the tree is its fruits also known as bael fruit or wood apple. People have it generally in juice form.
Lets know more about it in the following article.
Table of Contents
What Is Wood Apple/Bael Fruit?
The bael fruit is a large but dull orange color fruit. It has a hard shell and has to be cracked open. It has fibrous yellow pulp, hairy seeds and has a tangy flavor. It turns from a greyish green color to a dull yellow. Until is ripens it is very difficult to open it.
And as mentioned it has plenty of benefits.
Health Benefits Of Wood Apple/Bael Fruit
Bael is widely used in South Asia as it has many health benefits. It is used for curing digestive problems, ulcers, dysentery, diabetes, sexual dysfunctions, respiratory problems and many other such issues. It also helps improve our immunity system and treat anemia, ear and eye disorder.
In the ancient times, bael was even used to treat fractures.
The health benefits are listed below.
1. Relief From Gastric Ulcer
Bael fruit has phenolic compounds which have anti-oxidant properties. These can cure gastric ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome which are caused by an acidic imbalance in the stomach.
2. Boosts Metabolism
Wood apple is known to boost metabolism by providing the necessary nutrients and it also helps to the keep the organs healthy.
3. Aids In Toxin Removal
Bael fruit can remove toxins from the intestine and purify the blood when eaten regularly thus promoting a healthy digestive system.
4. Boosts Energy Level
The bael fruit has abundant nu
trients that can provide instant energy to the body. It helps improve the body function.
5. Cure Digestive Problems
Wood apple contains tannin that is very effective in curing digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, cholera, piles and other gastrointestinal diseases. These diseases are usually caused by bacteria which are effectively killed by tannin present in bael.
6. Controls Diabetes
Bael stimulates your pancreas and helps in producing insulin which controls your blood sugar. It also has laxative properties which makes it useful in controlling the blood sugar levels.
7. Prevents Anemia/ Iron Deficiency
Anemia is caused by iron deficiency in blood. But, if you eat bael you can reduce the deficiency as the fruit is rich in iron. It can increase the production of hemoglobin and prevent other problems caused by iron deficiency too.
8. Prevent Morning Sickness During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, if you eat the pulp of the raw bael fruit, it can cure you of nausea and other morning sickness related problems.
9. Cures Tuberculosis
Eating bael fruit with sugar and honey at night regularly can help cure tuberculosis. As it provides iron and vitamin B content bael is effective against tuberculosis.
10. Regulated Thyroid Hormone Secretion
Bael fruit prevents hyperthyroidism. It can regulate the metabolism and the thyroid hormone secretion preventing many diseases.
11. Maintain Blood Glucose Level
Bael fruit, when eaten, can have a hypoglycemic effect on the body. It can increase the use of glucose present in the blood and stimulate the insulin production.
12. Treat Sexual Problems
Wood apple can treat conditions like sexual dysfunction, spermatorrhea, impotence and premature ejaculation with its aphrodisiac properties. It can also enhance sexual desire in men.
13. Prevent Liver Disorders
Bael fruit has hepato-protective nature. It can prevent liver cirrhosis and liver infection. It can also heal the liver quickly by stimulating it.
14. Controlling Cholesterol Level
Wood apple is effective in controlling cholesterol level in blood thus preventing heart-related diseases. Bael provides fiber which can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol.
15. Prevents Breast Cancer
If eaten regularly, wood apple can prevent breast cancer as bael phytochemicals is known to contain antineoplastic, radioprotective, chemoprotective, and chemo preventive effects.
16. Prevents Side Effects Of Radiotherapy
Bael fruit can reduce the side effects of radiotherapy as the bael fruit contains radioprotective elements. The side effects like nausea, hair loss, skin problems and tiredness and fatigue.
17. Soothe Mouth Ulcers And Regulate Acidity
Bael fruit has a soothing and cooling effect on the body. It can cure mouth ulcers and also help the mucosa imbalance and reduce the oxidative stress that can cause ulcers in the stomach.
18. Gas Problems
The pulp of bael fruit with honey can provide relief from chronic thirst and gas problems. It provides with the necessary vitamins and antioxidants that deal with reducing stomach infection and bloating.
19. Deals With Problems During Menstruation
Wood apple can prevent excessive bleeding and relieve you from pain during menstruation. It can also provide with increased iron and hemoglobin that might have occurred due to blood loss.
Let’s have a look at the health benefits of bael leaves too.
Health Benefits Of Wood Apple Leaves
1. Cures Headaches
If you make a paste of bael leaves and apply it on your forehead it gives you immediate relief.
2. Relief From Joint Pain
A paste made of bael leaves can alleviate pain and even reduce swelling. Its anti-inflammatory properties can even reduce arthritic and gout problems.
3. Cures Constipation
If taken regularly, Bael leaf juice with sugar can cure you of your constipation and stomachache. The tannin present in the leaves can help with the stomach problems.
4. Manages Cholesterol Level
Bael leaf juice can control the level of cholesterol and prevent many diseases. It provides the necessary vitamins needed to manage and reduce the cholesterol level in the blood.
5. Cures Jaundice
Taken with honey and pepper, bael leaf extract can cure jaundice significantly. The vitamins present in the extract can help prevent and cure the symptoms of jaundice.
6. Relieves Allergies
A mixture of bael leaves, salt, and ajwain seeds can relieve you from food allergies and other skin problems.
7. Control Blood Pressure
Bael leaves contain phytonutrients that can help to keep the blood pressure under control.
8. Manages Hypertension
Bael leaf juice (boil leaves in water) can reduce and manage hypertension problems. It can reduce the blood pressure and make you calm and quiet.
9. Increases Appetite
If you have been eating less food and have had a drop of appetite for some reason drink bael leaves powder mix with water. If bael leaves powder is taken for a few days continuously it can increase your appetite.
10. Manages Blood Sugar Levels And Urination In Diabetics
Bael leaves juice can help to manage keep the blood glucose leveldown as it can stimulate insulin production. It can also deal with the urination problems in diabetics.
11. Other Benefits Of Bael Leaves
Bael leaves can also help in curing indigestion, myalgia, typhoid, leprosy, and malaria. It has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidants that can reduce or help prevent these diseases.
Also, bael juice has many benefits.
Health Benefits of Bael Juice
1. Blood Cleanser
Bael juice mixed with water and sugar acts as a detoxifier. It helps in removing the toxins and purifying the blood. This instantly makes your skin glow and also helps your organs function better as the blood is carrying more oxygen and energy to them.
2. Prevents Heart Diseases
Bael juice with desi ghee added to your daily diet can prevent and reduce heart-related and heart diseases.
3. Boost Immune System
Bael juice contains vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant that helps to boost our immune system and also prevents early aging.
4. Promotes Good Health Of Liver And Kidney
Bael juice provides thiamine and riboflavin which are supposed to be liver boosters. Bael juice is known to keep the kidneys stay healthy too and thus prevents them from malfunctioning.
5. Kills Intestinal Worms
Bael juice can kill the worms in the stomach and promote a healthy digestive system.
Bael juice is generally safe to use but if taken a higher dosage for a long time it can have some side effects too.
Bael Juice Side Effects
- Bael fruit juice can lead to a very low blood sugar. So, you need to be careful when taking it.
- It can cause constipation and digestive problems.
- It can have a harmful effect when taking with other drugs or medicines.
- It can have a negative effect on the thyroid hormone production too.
- If you are pregnant, consult a doctor before taking this.
If after consuming bael you are experiencing discomfort then immediately stop taking it. And consult a doctor if the bael is not reducing or relieving your symptoms.
Wood Apple/Bael Has Other Medicinal Benefits Too
1. Gets Rid Of Dandruff
Bael peel when heated in coconut oil and applied to the head regularly can help you in getting rid of dandruff. The antifungal and microbial properties can take care of this fungal infection.
2. Cure Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A glass of buttermilk with dried bael can relieve you of your irritable bowel syndrome.
3. Relieves Inflammation
Bael extract has anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the inflamed area it provides with immediate relief.
4. Prevents Scurvy Disease
The scurvy disease is caused by vitamin C deficiency. Bael fruit contains vitamin C and can prevent the scurvy disease.
5. Cures Snake Bite
When bael extract of its root, bark or fruit is applied on snake bites or scorpion stings, it can cure them. It has ethnomedicinal properties that can deal with snake and other animal bites.
6. Cures Respiratory Diseases
The oil extracted from bael can cure a cough, common cold, and other respiratory problems. It contains decongestant properties which can provide relief with blocked nose and phlegm.
7. Treats Bone Fracture
This method has used from an ancient time. Raw bael powder mixed with ghee and turmeric when applied to the fractured bones can heal them.
8. Prevents Infection
The antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties with antioxidants fight and prevent infection and keep the body always healthy.
9. Chronic Diarrhea
Bael powder prepared from dried fruit is effective against chronic diarrhea as it already has antidiarrheal properties.
Health Benefits Of Wood Apple/Bael Roots
1. Cure Severe Headaches
Dried bael root powder paste can be applied on your forehead to relieve it from severe headaches.
2. Cure Various Problems
Fever, dyspepsia, weakness, diarrhoea, dysentery, stomatitis, swellings, and gastric irritation can also be cured because of the astringent nature of the roots.
Benefits Of Bael Murraba
- Bael Murraba can be eaten regularly. It can boost and improve your immune system as it contains vitamin C. It can also prevent common cold and cough.
- Taking it daily with your diet can also cure dysentery, diarrhea, acidity and other digestive problems.
How To Eat Bael Fruit?
There are several ways you can eat or use bael fruit, bael leaves, and the bark.
- You can simply consume the fruit.
- You can have bael in the form of a chutney.
- It can be dried and made into powdered form. You can have it with water, milk, buttermilk or your daily diet.
- The pulp can be extracted and can be consumed or dried and used.
- The bael leaves are generally dried and made into a paste. It used in powdered form too.
- The bael bark is used mainly in powdered form.
Simple Methods For Some Diseases
A. Cure constipation And Indigestion
To cure indigestion and constipation have bael with jaggery daily. Do not consume more than a cup a day.
B. Cure Skin Diseases
To cure skin rashes, vitiligo (white patches on the skin), redness, itching and other skin problems apply the paste of bael leaves twice a day. Bael contains carotene and psoralen that are essential to keep the skin healthy.
Also, applying a mask of bael fruit, honey, and dates on the face for 15-20 minutes, can reduce acne and pimples and make your skin smooth.
C. Cure Diarrhea
Mix the bael powder with warm water and take it twice a day. It will help you with diarrhea.
D. Balances Progesterone Hormone
Eating bael chutney with your food can help women maintain their progesterone levels.
E. Increases Breast Milk Production
Beal juice with ginger powder and jaggery can enhance the breast milk production in lactating mothers.
How To Make Bael Fruit Tea?
Bael fruit tea is a famous beverage and widely consumed. It is very easy to make. Follow the recipe given below to have a delicious cup of bael fruit tea.
What You Need
- Two slices of toasted bael fruit
- Four cups of hot water
What You Should Do
- Cut two slices of bael fruit.
- Toast or grill them nicely.
- Add them to the water and boil it.
- It is ready to drink.
Apart from being delicious it also has added health benefits.
Health Benefits Of Bael Fruit
- Bael tea contains cuminaldehyde and eugenol so it can be used to control fungal and viral infections. The tea has antimicrobial properties.
- Scurvy is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin C.Bael tea is a good source of vitamins and can cure this disease.
- Bael tea can rid you of coughs and colds. It contains a decongestant and can give you relief from the congested chest. Mix sesame oil with pepper and cumin to the tea when having it.
- Bael tea with Bermuda grass and sugar can also help combat painful urination.
Bottom Line
Now that you know all the cures of this amazing fruit give it a try. You can have it in any form and it will provide with all the benefits. Comment below if you like the article.
