Different names of Bael or Belgiri Different names of Bael or Belgiri

The Bael is known by different names in different states and languages . Some of these are :

Botanical Name: Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. 

English Name: Bael Tree, Bengal Quince

Hindi Name: Bael, Bel 

Sanskrit Name: Adhararuha, Asholam, Atimangaliya, Balva, Bilva, Bilvam, Bilvaphalam, Bivalva, Duraruha, Gandhagarbha, Gandhapatra, Granthila, Hridyagandha, Kantakadhya, Kantaki, Kapitana, Karkatavha, Lakshmiphala, Mahakapitha, Mahakapithakhya, Mahaphala, Malurah

Bengali Name: Bael, Bel 

Marathi Name: Bael, Bel, Bili, Baela, Vel 

Gujarati Name: Bili, Billi 

Asamiya Name: Bael, Bel 

Kannada Name: Bela, Bilva, Belapatre, Bilapatri-Hannu, Bilvapatre, Kumbala, Malura, Baelada Mara, Byaalada Hannu,

Malayalam Name: Koovalam, Vilvam, Kulakam, Kuvalam, Kuvalap-Pazham, Kuvvalam, Mavilavu, Kovalam 

Oriya Name: Belo, Belthei, Bel 

Tamil Name: Bilva, Vilvam, Adhararuha, Asholam, Atimangaliya, Balva, Bilvah, Bilvaphalam, Bivalva, Duraruha, Gan

Telugu Name: Bilavamu, Maredu, Aluvigam, Vilva-Pazham, Bilvam, Vilvam, Kuvilam Palam, Vilvappu, Kuvilam, Villai

Burmese: ဥသျှစ် /ou' shi'/ or /oʊʔ ʃiʔ/

Indonesian: Maja

Khmer  :ព្នៅ /pnɨv/

Bael Tree is considered sacred in India, Indonesia and Malaysia. Its botanical name is Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.  English used to call it as Bengal Quince.   Aegeline (N-[2-hydroxy-2(4-methoxyphenyl) ethyl]-3-phenyl-2-propenamide) is a known constituent of the bael leaf and it is consumed as a dietary supplement for a variety of purposes.

 Bael fruit has been known for its miraculous medicinal values since long. The flesh of this fruit can be eaten fresh or in dried powder form. You can extract its juice or make Murabba to preserve it for long. Even Halwa made from fresh Bael is very useful . The ripe fruit keeps the body and mind cool. The other benefits of Bael are :

·         The fruit is widely used to treat diarrhea, dysentery and gastrointestinal disorders. It  has digestive and carminative properties.

·         It helps heal ulcerated intestinal surfaces.

·         The presence of Tannin in Bael fruit helps to cure Diarrhea etc. Dried fruit pulp or powder both are generally  used to treat diarrhoea.

·         It also helps to prevent constipation.

·         It helps in producing enough amount of insulin and controls sugar level in blood. So, it is very good for diabetic persons.

·         It helps control Cholesterol.

·         It has anti-viral, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal  properties that help to control    infection.

·         It contains a lot of Anti-oxidants which help to cure the gastric ulcers.

·         Bael leaf extract has proven Cardiac Protective benefits.

·         The pulp of Bael has anti-proliferative properties. Thus it inhibits the proliferation of tumour cells.

·         The bark decoction of the tree is administered in cases of malaria, while the leaves are used in jaundice. Marmin, a coumarin isolated from the roots has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes Bael fruit ideal for treating inflammation.

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How to Make Bael Juice at Home:

§   Take a piece of ripened Bael fruit. Slightly hammer it along one of the circumference by rotating it slowly. Cut it into two parts and extract the pulp from it.

§   Soak the pulp in  4 cups of water for about 2 hours.

§   Mesh the pulp in water properly and sieve it to remove fibers and  seeds.

§   If pulp is hard soak for more time and use blender/mixer to mix it. But don’t use mixer at high speed and longer duration , as it will crush the seeds making the juice bitter.

§   Take half glass pulp and half water to it. You can  add ice and sugar to make sweet Bael juice.

§   Diabetic persons can add salt , pepper, cumin seed powder to it to make it a tasty drink.

§   This is one of the most beneficial drink/juice that can be prepared during summer season , when Bael is  easily  available in market

Dr. Suman Setia , BAMS , DNHE,PGDHHM.