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