Sunday, March 29, 2009

Aegle Marmelos ( BALE) (VILVAM)















Bale, a Sacred tree of India, is mentioned in very old Literature. This tree is native to India, but is also found in Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Bael is a tree from Rutaceae plant family. This is a small thorny tree. The leaves are 3 foliate. The leaflets are lancelet. The flowers bloom in April to May. Color of the flower is greenish white. The fruits are globosely with woody rind yellowish in color. The pulp of the fruit is sweet and orange in color.
Usage:
The pulp of the fruit is used for making Jam and pickles. The pulp is very good for curing digestive disorders. It is also a good tonic for general vitality.
The leaves are used for religious purpose in India. This holy tree leaves are used to do pooja for Lord Shiva.......and these leaves are given to the devotees as Prasadha ( holy food) to take internally. This is the common practice in all shiva temples in sothern India.
Tender fruits and pulp of ripe and matured fruits, are converted into Jam etc. The fruits besides being medicine are good herbal supplement. Roots are also used as medicinal herb.
I find one person in the commercial street of Shivajinagar, Bangalore India , who is selling Bale fruits deliciously with sugar.

chemical compounds found:

Marmalosin, coumarin, embelliferone are obtained from this plant