Bilva
- Botanical Name: Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa
- Family: Rutaceae
- Synonyms: Sriphal, Shivadruma, Pootivat, Shaelpatra, Lakshmiputra
- Vernacular Name: Commonly known as “Bael” in Hindi, “Bengal Quince” in English,
and “Vilvam” in Tamil.
- Classification: A deciduous tree belonging to the Rutaceae family.
- Habitat: Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It thrives in tropical and
subtropical climates, often found in forests, hilly regions, and cultivated lands.
- Morphology: A medium-sized tree, growing up to 13–18 meters tall, with a gnarled trunk
and spiny branches. The leaves are trifoliate, aromatic, and ovate. The flowers are greenish
white and fragrant, while the fruits are large, woody, and globose with a sweet, gummy
orange pulp.
- Useful Parts: Fruits, leaves, roots, bark, and seeds.
- Chemical Composition: Contains tannins, volatile oils, mucilage, coumarins, alkaloids,
and vitamins like riboflavin and thiamine. The fruit pulp is rich in pectin and carotenoids.
- Pharmacological Action: Known for its astringent, digestive, antimicrobial, anti
inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. It is used in treating diarrhea, dysentery, peptic
ulcers, and respiratory disorders.
- Formulation: Used in Ayurvedic preparations like Bilvadi Churna, Bael Sharbat, and
herbal teas for digestive health.
Rasa: Kasaya, Tikta
Guna: Laghu , Ruksha
Virya: Ushna
Vipaka: Katu