Health Facts About Indian Bael Fruit or Wood Apple

All About Health Benefits of Bael Fruit

Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as bael sherbet is made from the bael fruit and it has been known for its medicinal values since 2000 BC.

The health benefits of Bael include relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also boosts the immune system, fights off bacterial and viral infections, reduces inflammatory conditions, prevents cancer, increases milk production for nursing mothers, cures diabetes, improves ocular health, and helps prevent sexual dysfunctions.

The wood apple tree can grow up to 30 feet in height and the edible fruits are 5-9 cm in diameter. Bael fruit is a sweet, aromatic fruit. Their shells are tough, and the inside consists of a brownish pulp and small white seeds. The pulp can be eaten raw, but it is popularly scooped out and frozen or made into jam. It can also be mixed with coconut milk for a delicious, healthy beverage or frozen into an ice cream.

The vast array of health benefits attributed to bael fruit or wood apples are mainly due to their nutrients, vitamins, and organic compounds, including tannins, calcium, phosphorous, fiber, protein, and iron.

In Ayurveda, unripe bael fruit is used for digestive disorders (including diarrhea and dysentery). Ripe bael fruit, meanwhile, is said to have laxative effects.

You may also try Bilva leaf tea which is good for the stomach. It contains tannin and vitamins. When a small amount of salt and black pepper is consumed with Belpatra, it becomes one of the best natural remedy for curing constipation. It went on to remove toxins from one’s intestine, and helps him getting relieved. Buy Bilva Leaf Tea Online

Bael fruit is also touted as a natural remedy for the following health problems:

asthma
the common cold
constipation
diabetes
heart disease
high cholesterol
ulcerative colitis

The Health Effects of Bael Fruit

1) Diarrhea
Unripe bael fruit may help treat diarrhea, extracts of unripe bael fruit possess antibacterial properties that may help fight diarrhea caused by bacterial infection.

2) Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Unripe bael fruit may help protect against inflammatory bowel disease.

3) Diabetes
Bael fruit may aid in diabetes management by lowering blood sugar levels.

4) Maintains cholesterol levels
The extracts got from wood apple are found to bring down the cholesterol levels in blood.

Word of Caution: Like any other food/fruits, we have to take some precautions when consuming the wood apple. Excessive consumption of wood apple causes flatulence in the abdomen, so people with gastric troubles should be careful. Also, if you have never consumed wood apple before, try a small amount to check how your body reacts. Anything can be an allergen, so it is better to start small and work your way up to larger portions once you know that it compliments your body.