Marmelos/wood-apple (Bel)

Botanically it is known as Aegle marmelos. The wood-apple consists of fresh ripe, half-ripe fruits. Only the fruit is used as medicine. The marmelos fruit is very useful in curing diarrhoea and dysentery. Sherbets prepared from the pulp of the ripe fruit are soothing to intestines of patients who have just recovered from bacillary dysentery. The unripe or half-ripe fruits increase appetite and digestion. Bell morabbas are very useful in diarrhoea or dysentery.

Root: The root is generally worn as talisman or mascot on arms in order to overcome the evil influences of the sun which gives diseases like high fevers, inflammation, swellings, and the root is very effective in curing fevers, inflammatory complaints and swellings.

Fruit: The ripe fruit is very good for all sorts of stomach and liver troubles. The unripe fruit is also very good and is eaten as morabbas. It can, be baked, roasted, stewed, or boiled or made into marmalades, jellies, tarts, pies, puddings, sauces etc. It is an age-old remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery.

Leaf: The leaf is given for reducing excessive sex urge, and sex perversions. The leaf juice is a favourit remedy for loss of memory and forgetfulness.

Dr. S.K. Jain in his book 'Medicinal Plants' has said that the ripe or unripe fruit is an age-old remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery. Marmalades made from unripe fruit is a sure remedy for dysentery.

R.N. Chopra in his book 'Indigenous Drugs of India' has said that the ripe or unripe fruit is a miraculous remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery. Marmalades made from the unripe fruit and taken daily during rainy season helps one to remain free from diarrhoea and dysentery.

J.F. Dastur in his book 'Medicinal Plants of India and Pakistan' has said the same thing.

Benefit and uses of Marmelos/wood-apple.

• The bitter, pungent leaf juice, mixed with honey, is given to allay catarrh and fever.
• Marmelos fruit is mildly astringent and used to cure dysentery, diarrhoea, hepatitis, tuberculosis, dyspepsia and good for heart and brain.
• Pain, stitching with sensation of dust particles in eyes with lachrymation. Stye, mostly over upper eyelids.
• In Jaundice -Juice of bilva leaves mixed with marich is useful.
• It is aromatic, astringent, cooling, febrifuge and also acts as tonic for heart and brain.