Article: AEGLE MARMELOS (BAEL PATRA): AN AYURVEDIC PLANT WITH ETHNOMEDICINAL VALUE

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.120392

Pages: 147-156

Author: Shailja Choudhary, Gitika Chaudhary, Hemlata Kaurav *

Abstract: Aegle marmelos is considered as the most sacred or holy plant which is grown by the sides of Hindu temples. This plant is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also believed that Lord Shiva resides under the Bael tree. Besides this, the plant is associated with a great medicinal value whose medicinal description is also mentioned in the ancient treatise like Vedas, Puranas, Charaka Samhita and Brihat Samhita and has also been portrayed in the paintings of Ajanta caves. Every part of the Bael plant is used to treat various diseases. In Ayurveda, the plant is used in Panchang form to treat diarrhea, dysentery and ulcer. In folklore, the plant parts are used to treat diabetes, skin diseases and typhoid, wound healing, ulcer, stomachache, jaundice, high BP, malaria, cancer and other diseases. The fruit of the plant is edible and carries great medicinal value because of the presence of vitamins, minerals and various antioxidants. The pulp of the fruit is aromatic, sweet, pale orange and resinous. The unripe fruit pulp of the plant is used to prepare murabba, pudding and juice. The plant is associated with ethnomedicinal uses and possesses various therapeutic and pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antihistamine, radio protective, antiulcer, anticancer, cardio-protective, antidiarrheal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. In this review article, attempts have been made to summarize the phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal, Ayurvedic and pharmacological view of the Bael plant.

Keyword: Bael, Aegle marmelos, Ayurveda, Folk view, Pharmacological activities