A fruit which is not so good looking but loaded with essential nutrients”¦!
Yes, we are talking about bael fruit, or in Hindi, it is called bilwa. It is a sweet, aromatic fruit that grows on the bael tree. Bael is also known as the tree of Lord Shiva is of sacred value in India.
Bael or wood apple that goes with the botanical name Aegle marmelos is a middle-sized tree with slender branches, pale brown bark that often oozes edible gum. It is also an important medicinal plant with several uses in traditional medicine. All parts- root, leaf, trunk, fruit, and seeds of bael are beneficial in treating various diseases. The raw fruits look greenish-grey, while the woody exterior turns yellow upon ripening.
Bael is an uncommon but nutritious fruit. This fruit is rich in-
Bael fruit has ant-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties that help reduce diarrhea. Tannins present in bael help in fighting against the infection called shigellosis that causes diarrhea and cholera.
Young children, travelers, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to Shigella infection. Some studies suggest that consuming ripe bael may control cholera and diarrhea.
Bael is the best fruit for all digestive problems that have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties. Its magical juice may control gastric ulcers caused due to the imbalance of mucosa and levels of oxidative stress in the gastric tract. It also has laxative properties that prevent constipation.
Bael juice helps in cholesterol control and also reduces blood cholesterol levels. It is a cardio-protective fruit that is rich in antioxidants that reduces the risk of heart diseases.
The bark and branches of bael are rich with a compound-Feronia gum that reduces the elevated blood glucose level. In Ayurveda, bael is an essential remedy for diabetes. Bael stimulates the pancreas and helps them to produce insulin that controls sugar levels in the blood.
Due to the presence of anti-bacterial, anti-fungus, and anti-inflammatory properties of bael, it is an excellent remedy for skin infections. Bael leaf oil inhibits common types of fungus that infect the skin. It can also be beneficial for skin rash and itchy bumps.
It is a blood purifier because it is rich in minerals that help flush all toxins from the body. It is a natural detoxifying agent and thus, prevents kidney and liver dysfunctions.
Bael is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help control your symptoms of scurvy. Scurvy can cause a deficiency of Vitamin C in the body resulting in sore arms and legs and weakness. Bael juice is a good source of vitamins and cures this disease.
Extract from bael fruit contains antioxidants with the ability to scavenge for free radicals. Those free radicles may beneficial to reduce the cancer risk. The study suggests that consumption of this juice regularly prevents or cures breast cancer.
Bael juice is a powerhouse of vitamin C and antioxidants that boost immunity. Drinking a bael juice during monsoons will help in preventing infections due to bacteria and viruses.
Daily consumption of bael may stimulate the production of prolactin and corticoids. It turns to induces galactagogue action and thereby helps in improving lactation and the quality of breast milk. For good results, drink bael juice with dry ginger powder and jaggery by the infant mothers.
It is a traditional recipe commonly found in the households of North Eastern India, especially during summers.
Take bael fruit, wash it and break the hard shell from all around. Once it broke, remove the pulp in a bowl. Mash the pulp till it softens and strain the mixture to remove any solid particles or impurities. You can add chilled milk, cardamom powder, jaggery, and black salt to the bael pulp if you want.
Now that you understand the benefits of bael. Let’s look at some easy bael recipe ideas you can try out:
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!
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