Bael (Aegle Marmelos): Uses, Benefits, Nutritional Value & Side Effects By Dr. Siddharth Gupta

Introduction

The Bael tree is considered a sacred tree in Indian tradition. Its leaves are often used in religious rituals and offered in prayers. It is known by many regional names: Adhararutha in Sanskrit, Iyalbudi in Tamil, Sriphalamu in Telugu, Billi in Gujarati, Bengal quince or stone apple in English and Bel in Hindi and Bengali¹. Its scientific name is Aegle marmelos, and is believed to be one of the most important medicinal plants in India, Ceylon, and Burma².

”No drug has been longer and better known nor more appreciated by the inhabitants of India than the Bael fruit,” said Chopra in his book, Indigenous Drugs of India (1982). Bael has been used in Ayurveda as a part of various formulations since ancient times to help with boils, dysentery, earaches, discharge from ears and fever/cold².

Nutritional Value of Bael

Bael fruit is a nutrient-rich food that provides a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. According to available data, its nutritional composition includes³:

• Proteins: 1.8  
• Fats: 0.3 
• Minerals: 1.7
• Fibre: 2.9
• Carbohydrates: 31.8 
• Calcium: 0.085 
• Phosphorus: 0.050
• Potassium: 0.60
• Vitamin C: 0.008 

Other than these nutrients, it also contains various essential amino acids, vitamins B1 and B2, and phytochemicals. It is observed that Bael contains the highest amount of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins compared to other medicinal plants⁴.

Properties of Bael

Bael has various properties, and it might play a role in helping with many diseases. It might possess the potential properties such as⁵:

• 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 the 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:

1. For Diabetes

According to animal studies⁶, 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 and thus might be helpful in lowering blood sugar levels.

Furthermore, as per a clinical trial², lowering of blood cholesterol and a slight lowering of blood glucose might be possible in some patients with diabetes to whom Bael leaf extract was administered. However, more research is required. Kindly consult a doctor for serious conditions such as diabetes, which must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

2. 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 formation⁷. Additionally, the unripe Bael fruit might help with the damage to the stomach lining induced by absolute ethanol (alcohol) in the stomach². However, more research is required. Kindly consult a doctor. Please do not self-medicate.

Based on my experience, I have seen positive effects of Bael fruit in the management of ulcer disease. The fruit contains certain compounds that have been found to possess anti-ulcer properties, which may help in reducing the symptoms of ulcers¹⁰.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

3. 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 asthma². However, more research is required and you should consult a doctor before using Bael for health.

4. For Cancer

In one of the studies⁸, 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 the potential to interfere with the growth of breast cancer cells⁸. However, more research is required. Cancer is a serious condition and must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

5. For Infections

Bael might be effective for various infections caused by bacteria, indicating that it might act as a   potent antibacterial agent².

Studies⁹ have shown that the 50% ethanolic extract of Bael might have an effect on the Ranikhet disease virus. It might also act on the early activities of the virus in the body and may stop it, which is in contrast to the activity of modern drugs being used to treat viral diseases.

Furthermore, Bael leaf oil may show a protective effect against fungal infections.This activity may be due to its interference with the mechanism that leads to the growth of fungus in the body. Various studies⁹ have shown that it might have effectiveness against common fungal infections. However, more research is required to ascertain such claims.

6. For Diarrhoea

The root extract and the unripe fruit pulp of Bael might help with diarrhoea. This potential use has been mentioned even in ancient Indian texts. It may be due to its potential effect against various bacteria causing stomach infections⁹. However, more studies are required. Kindly do not self-medicate.

I have observed that the Bael fruit has been traditionally used for the management of jaundice. Bael contains compounds that help in improving liver function and promoting the elimination of toxins from the body. These properties of Bael may support the recovery from jaundice and help in restoring normal liver function¹⁰.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Other Potential Uses of Bael

• The seeds of Bael might be helpful in destroying the parasite that causes malaria. Thus, it may act as a potent anti-malarial agent².
• It was seen that Bael might even reduce the thyroid hormone levels. Therefore, it may be helpful for conditions with elevated thyroid levels like hypothyroidism².
• Bael, along with other herbal constituents, in a compound Ayurvedic preparation, might have the potential to help with stomach irritability in irritable bowel syndrome².
• It was found that the ethanolic extract might have the 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 properties. 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 diseases².
• 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.² The Bael plant might also participate in the absorption and neutralisation of harmful poisonous gases from the atmosphere².
• Bael might also possess potential radioprotective properties. It might help the normal cells of the body against the harmful effects of exposure to radiation.² 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 produced².

Though there are studies that show the potential use of bael in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of bael on human health.

Based on the recommendations from nutrition scientists, it is advised to include a minimum of 115 grams of bael fruit in your daily diet for a balanced nutrition. This fruit is rich in essential nutrients that can support optimal growth and development of the human body. By providing the necessary nutrients, bael fruit can promote overall health and well-being¹⁰.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

How to Use Bael

Bael is a traditional medicinal plant, and all of its parts are utilised for their various therapeutic properties. The parts that can be used are: 

• Leaves 
• Flowers 
• Root bark 
• Fruit (both ripe and unripe)  
• Seed  

Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the form and dosage as per your health condition.  

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.

How to Make Bael Juice

It is a traditional recipe commonly found in the households of North Eastern India, especially during summer.

Here’s a simple way to prepare it:

• Take a ripe bael fruit, wash it, and crack open the hard shell.
• Scoop out the pulp into a bowl.
• Mash the pulp until it softens and then strain to remove seeds and fibres.
• You can add chilled milk, cardamom powder, jaggery, and a pinch of black salt to enhance the flavour.

Bael Recipes to Try

Now that you understand the benefits of Bael. Let’s look at some easy Bael recipe ideas you can try out: 

• Bael Smoothie: Mix the pulp of 3 bael fruit with jaggery (country sugar), cardamon, and some water (as per preference). Regular consumption can help with bowel movements while being delicious and refreshing. 
• Bael Mojito: Perfect for a summer’s day, blend 1 bael with sugar to taste, black pepper, black salt, a squeeze of lemon, and ice cubes.
• Bael Chutney: A sticky, flavourful spread for snacks or flatbreads like parathas. Make this chutney by combining 12 baels with brown sugar, black salt, cumin seeds, black pepper powder, fennel, regular salt, and a hint of red chilli powder. Reduce over medium-low heat till you have a thick, paste-like consistency.
• Bael Jam: For a sweeter version of the previous recipe, use only these ingredients: bael, sugar, and lemon juice. Follow the same instructions and reduce till you have an easily spreadable jam.
• Bael Flavoured Lassi: With the added benefit of curd, this concoction will make you feel fresh while being a boon for your digestion. Blend 1 bael fruit with water (3 cups), curd ( ½ cup), sugar or honey to taste, half a teaspoon chaat masala powder, and optionally top each glass off with an ice cube. 

Get all the benefits of bael with these tasty recipes. Don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone, while bael juice recipes may be easy, there are so many other ways to consume this fruit!

Side Effects of Bael

There are no common side effects reported with the use of Bael. However, if any kind of side effect is noticed, a physician should be consulted for expert opinion. 

Precautions to Take with Bael

You should ensure to take general precautions before using bael for its potential health uses, especially by pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, elderly individuals, and children.   However, an Ayurvedic physician should be consulted for its use in specific conditions, as the physician will prescribe the appropriate dosage and form.

Interactions with Other Drugs

More research is required to study the interactions of bael with other drugs. Therefore, precautions should be taken and a doctor should be consulted to ensure the safety of using bael for any conditions. Please do not self-medicate, alter, replace or discontinue any ongoing treatment by yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Patkar A, Desai N, Ranage A, Kalekar K. A review on AEGLE MARMELOS: A potential medicinal tree. Int Res J Pharm. 2012;3(8):86–91. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292739276_A_review_on_Aegle_marmelos_a_potential_medicinal_tree 
2. Dhankhar S, Ruhil S, Balhara M, Dhankhar S, Chhillar AK. Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa: A potential source of Phytomedicine. J Med Plants Res. 2011;5(9):1497–507. Available from: https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380546385_Dhankhar%20et%20el.pdf 
3. Sharma N, Radha N, Kumar M, Zhang B, Kumari N, Singh D, et al. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa: An Underutilized Fruit with High Nutraceutical Values: A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9504793/ 
4. Mujeeb F, Bajpai P, Pathak N. Phytochemical evaluation, antimicrobial activity, and determination of bioactive components from leaves of aegle marmelos. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014. Available from: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/497606/ 
5. Rahman S, Parvin R. Therapeutic potential of Aegle marmelos (L.)-An overview. Asian Pacific J Trop Dis. 2014;4(1):71–7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027346/
6. Kamalakkannan N, Prince PSM. Hypoglycaemic effect of water extracts of Aegle marmelos fruits in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2003 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6589752_Hypoglycemic_effect_of_water_extract_of_Aegle_marmelos_fruits_in_streptozotocin_diabetic_rats 
7. Ramakrishna YG, Savithri K, Kist M, Devaraj SN. Aegle marmelos fruit extract attenuates Helicobacter pylori Lipopolysaccharide induced oxidative stress in Sprague Dawley rats. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4615325/ 
8. Sahoo L, Nayak Y, Mohanty SK. Exploring the phytochemical constituents of Aegle marmelos (bael) and their therapeutic potential against chronic diseases. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 2025 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.ijbcp.com/index.php/ijbcp/article/download/5808/3816/25064#:~:text=Its%20anticancer%20potential%20has%20been,and%20colon%20cancer%20cell%20lines. 
9. Kantale HD, Dokekar PP. A review on Aegle Marmelos (Bael). International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT). 2024 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2408253.pdf
10. Singh KK. Aegle marmelos (Bael) Benefit for Health: A Review. Current Research in Agriculture and Farming. 2021 [cited 2025 May 6]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348566249_Aegle_marmelos_Bael_Benefit_for_Health_A_Review 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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