About N-Bael Avleha
Bael (Aegle Marmelos) is indigenous to India and has been in use since 5000 years. It is an Indian medicinal plant with the presence of various bioactive compounds that protects and fights against various diseases. Bael fruit, leaves, roots, bark and seeds are used as a folk medicine in Ayurveda for the treatment of various ailments. Besides having medicinal properties, bael (Bel or Bilva) fruit is widely used for the preparation of puddings, juices and Murabba (Bel Murabba). Bael is a gut-friendly fruit and is extensively used in the treatment of various gut problems such as diarrhea, dysentery, peptic ulcer. It also works as a mild laxative. In addition to this, bael fruit possesses various other therapeutic effects such as anti-diabetic, heart-protective, gut-protective, anti-diarrheal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, liver-protective, antioxidants, inhibition of degradation of lipids, and scavenges free radicals.
Ingredients of N-Bael Avleha
- Baelphal (Aegle marmelos)
- Avaleha (sugar based)
Health Benefits of N-Bael Avleha
Bael and its other plant parts are a very significant source of traditional medicine. They have been in use in Ayurveda since a very long time. They strengthen the immune system and fight a variety of infections, diseases and disorders. The presence of various antioxidants, nutrients, phytochemicals, phenolic compounds and flavonoids in bael makes it very healthy. Many studies have observed that bael works similar to drugs and does not cause any side effects. Let’s have a look at nutrient composition of bael (Aegle Marmelos).
Nutrients in Bael
Bael fruit is a good source of many important minerals, which are essential for human health. Studies have reported that bael fruit contains high amount of potassium and low amount of sodium and thus, it is beneficial for individuals with hypertension. Calcium is the second highest mineral present in bael fruit that is necessary for strong bones, teeth and for nerve impulse transmission. Besides this, other minerals present were iron, copper, zinc and manganese. It is also a decent source of vitamins such as vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin C. The presence of so many nutrients makes it extremely healthy for human consumption.
Rich in Antioxidants
Research has shown that antioxidants present in bael inactivates the free radicals or makes them less reactive and thus guards against reactive oxygen species. Health-promoting compounds present in bael include STEROIDS, TERPENOIDS, FLAVONOIDS, PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS, TANNINS, ALKALOIDS and SAPONINS. Out of all these, tannins have a very strong free radical scavenging property and act as a primary antioxidant. The antioxidative characteristics of bael fruit is attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and phytochemicals such as flavonoids. These flavonoids are responsible for radical scavenging activity of bael. In addition to this, the reducing capacity of a compound is an important indicator of its potential antioxidant activity.
Abundant in Phytochemicals
It is very well known that bael fruit and its other plant parts are highly valued for its medicinal properties. Bael is used for the treatment of various diseases and disorders due to the presence of phytochemicals in it. More than 100 phytochemical compounds have been isolated from different parts of bael plant.
Diarrhea
Scientific studies have thrown some light up on anti-diarrheal effect of unripe bael fruits. It has been reported that bael fruit plays a protective role against infectious forms of diarrhea. Bael fruit extract reduced the adherence of bacteria and inhibited the activity of rotavirus and giardia (pathogens that cause stomach infection and diarrhea). Furthermore, it also lowers the colonization of bacteria to inner lining of gut and limits the production of toxins. Thus, bael fruit can be used in the treatment of chronic diarrhea.
Liver injury
It is found that bael leaves have excellent liver-protective effect. Liver diseases are usually caused due to over exposure to toxins or due to infections. Research has showed that bael has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-viral properties that protect the liver against infections and injury. Toxic agents cause damage to the liver cells, which in turn leads to injury and elevates the level of liver enzymes in the bloodstream. Furthermore, formation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of alcoholic liver disease and causes damage to the liver. Bael increased the level of antioxidants in the bloodstream such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase and inhibited the action of toxic agents. It further restored the normal structure and function of liver cells. Treatment with bael extract reduces the level of elevated liver enzymes, which is an important indicator of restoring normal liver function
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is an intestinal inflammatory disorder and herbal remedies play a wide role in the treatment of such disorders. Bael is a gut-friendly fruit and it is very well known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. Research has shown that treatment with bael extract reduces the severity of intestinal inflammation. Such an effect is seen due to the inhibition of inflammatory markers such as IL1, IL6, IL8, and TNF-α. The anti-inflammatory effect may even be possible due to the presence of phytochemical constituents such as phenolic compounds, steroids and flavonoids.
In addition to this, bael extract also increased the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase. Such an increase is attributed to the presence of antioxidants such as carotenoids, vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3). These antioxidants further protected the inner intestinal lining against damage and inflammation. Furthermore, the effect of bael fruit extract on inflammatory bowel disease was similar to that of PREDNISOLONE (a drug used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions).
Diuretic activity
Diuretic is a drug that increases the output of urine. This drug is usually given to individuals with increased water retention. Research has found that roots and leaves of bael have natural diuretic activity and it increases the passage of urine. Scientific studies have found that treatment with bael leaves and roots enhanced urine volume and increased the excretion of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. They work by decreasing the re-absorption of sodium and fluid in the body. Studies even found that diuretic activity of bael roots was higher than that of leaves. Such an activity of bael makes it important in the treatment of congestive heart failure, kidney failure and high blood pressure where water retention is common.
Hypertension
Research has found that bael fruit is effective in lowering the systolic blood pressure. Such an effect is attributed to the presence of potassium that causes widening of the blood vessels and ensures smooth blood flow. Furthermore, it was reported that bael fruit has low sodium content and thus, it keeps constriction of blood vessels at bay. Its high antioxidant content reduces oxidative stress in kidney and blood vessels and thus helps in keeping the blood pressure within normal range. In addition to this, studies have found no side effects when treated with bael fruit.
Immunomodulatory potential
Research has showed that bael fruit extract stimulates the immune mechanisms and strengthens the immune system. Treatment with bael fruit extract stimulates the immune cells and antibodies, which in turn fight against infections. Such an effect keeps infectious diseases and disorders at bay.
