A Review: Medicinal Properties and Health Benefits of Bael (Aegle marmelos)
Aranyak Banerjee
Department of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, Pin-741252, India.
Shubham Jain *
Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Acharya Narendra deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, India.
Lokesh
Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot-587 104, India.
Anshuman Singh
Department of Horticulture, KNIPSS, Sultanpur- 228118, India.
Atul Dhakad
Department of Horticulture, Govt. Agriculture College Todabhim (Gangapur City, Raj.), 321611, India.
Alan Evon Singh
Department of Horticulture (Fruit Science), Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, India.
Anamika Pandey
Department of Horticulture (Fruit Science), Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, India.
Gopal Mani
Department of Horticulture (Fruit Science), Govind. Ballabh. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand-263145, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In ancient India, the eagle marmelos, also known as bael, was associated with folklore. In traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, every component of the tree, including the root, bark, fruit, leaf, and flower, has therapeutic value for treating various maladies. Current studies have found valuable bioactive substances that support Bael's pharmacological functioning. Bael fruits are rich source in vitamins, minerals and many types of nutrients. Bael fruit has been a major topic for studies in recent years mainly due to its high nutritional (carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins) value and presence of various phytochemicals, which attributed to its high medicinal value. These phytochemicals include various compounds, e.g., alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids (protocatechuic acid, gallic, and ellagic acid). Due to its possible application as an anticancer agent in the treatment of many cancer types and other fatal diseases, this plant is now gaining attention. In this article, we describe the botanical properties of Bael, its traditional use, its phytochemicals, and its pharmaceutical applications in brief.
Keywords: Aegles marmelos, health benefits, morphological uses, medicinal values, murabba, dietetic purposes