Know The Medicinal Uses Of Bael Leaves

Bael or Aegle marmelos is indigenous tree to India. Its leaves are known as Bel Patra and offered to Lord Shiva. It is a very important plant of Ayurveda. Its every part is used for the treatment of various diseases. Bael/Bel/Bilva or Vilvam leaves are also full of medicinal properties. The Anti-diabetic effect of bael leaves is very well-known. Its leaves can be used fresh as well as dried.

Its leaves are dried in shade and pulverised to get fine powder which can be administered orally. Its leaves juice can be taken in dosage of 5 ml and 1 teaspoon in dried powder form. Here is given more about the various scientifically proven medicinal properties of the Bel leaves as well as the conditions in which its use should be avoided.

The leaves of Beal tree has the following medicinal properties

• Antidiabetic Activity
• Antidiarrheal Activity
• Antimicrobial Activity (`Against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
• Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris)
• Antifungal activity (Against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum)
• Antibacterial activity
• Hepatoprotective Activity (Protects the liver)
• Anti-spermatogenic/antifertility effect

Diseases in which Bael leaves are useful

• Jaundice
• Diabetes
• Diarrhoea, loose motion
• Amoebiasis
• Intestinal diseases

Precautions for orally taking Bael leaves/Belpatra powder

• The leaves of this tree must not be taken during pregnancy and lactation. As this may cause absorption.
• Bael leaves have anti-fertility effect. It reduces fertility in both sexes. In a clinical study male albino rats were given aqueous extracts (250 mg/kg body weight) of leaves of Aegle marmelos for 45 days. The treatment resulted in highly significant decrease in the weights of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and vas deferens. Sperm motility as well as sperm density in the cauda epididymis was reduced significantly. Fertility was reduced by 70%. Various tribal men across India uses its leaves for contraceptive purposes. Traditionally the leaves are used to induce sterility in females.
• The oral intake of Bael leaves should be avoided in women trying to conceive.
• The intake of Bel leaves causes low appetite.