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Pharma Science Monitor 5(2), Apr-Jun 2014
A REVIEW ON CLASSICAL THERAPEUTIC USES OF BILVA (AEGLE MARMELOS
CORR.)
Parmar Neha
1
* Patel B.R.
1
, Patil Bhavesh
1
Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved
University, Jamnagar.
ABSTRACT
Aegle marmelos Corr. (Bael), is a popular plant and cosmopolitan in distribution. A. marmelos is
rich in medicinal properties. Since Vedic kala, Bilva was found in many single and compound
formulations in Ayurvedic literatures. Every part of plant such as root, unripe fruit, stem, bark,
leaves, flowers have therapeutic values. It is one of the important ingredients of Dashamoola. In
this review, critical analysis of these single and compound formulations was carried out and
details summarized here.
KEYWORDS: Bilva, Aegle marmelos Corr., Root, Leaves, Unripe fruit, Dashamoola.
INTRODUCTION
Bilva (Aegle marmelos Corr.) commonly known as bael tree belonging toRutaceae family.The
tree grows wild in dry forests on hills and plains of central and southern India, Burma, Pakistan
and Bangladesh, also in mixed deciduous and dry dipterocarp forests. Bael is moderate sized tree
around 6.0-7.5 meters high. It has strong, woody fairly large and often curved root and cream-
yellow or yellowish –brown, leathery and slightly aromatic bark. Its branches armed with
straight, sharp, axillary, 2.5 cm long spines.
Bilva has trifoliate, occasionally five–
foliate leaves, greenish-white flowers and
globose, grey or yellowish fruit containing
sweet, thick, and orange-colored pulp.
The ripe fruit is used for digestive and
stomachic complications. Leaves, fruits,
stem and roots of A. marmelos have been
used in ethno-medicine for several
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medicinal properties such as astringent, antidiarrhoeal, antidysenteric, demulcent,antipyretic,
antiscourbutic, haemostatic, aphrodisiac and as an antidote to snake venom.1,2 Hypoglycaemic,
spasmogenic, antiviral, cardiac stimulant, antiemetic, anthelmintic activties were found in Bilva
root.Skimmianine showed sedative, hypnotic, analgesic, anticonvulsive, antipyretic activities in
various experimental animals.Bilva is one among the most sacred tree of Hindus called as
Shivdrum. Leaves are offered in prayers to Lord Shiva.
Bilva holds an important place in Ayurveda for its multi therapeutic uses and religious belief.
Every part of plant such as root,unripe fruit,bark,leaves,flowers etc. have therapeutic values and
is important ingredient of several Ayurvedic formulations.The present review deals with
Ayurvedic single and compound formulations of different parts of Bilva.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Brihattrayi, Laghutrayi and 15 other chikitsagranthas were referred to compile single and
compound formulations. Rasapanchak and indications were poised form 29 different Nighantus.
Observations and results:
Some compound formulations:
1. Root (Moola): Brahmyarasayan, Chyavanprasha, Dashamoolakwatha,
Dashamoolarishta, Anutaila, Raj tail, Narayan tail, Bahushalaguda, Chitrak haritaki,
Mritasanjivinisura, Arshakutharrasa, Manasamitravatak, Dantyarishta,
Mahapanchagavyaghrita, Kasturibhairavrasa, Arshakutharrasa
2. Unripe fruit (Apakvaphala) : Brihatgangadharchurna, Laghugangadharchurna,
Balabilvaditaila, Pushyanugachurna, Changerighrita, Bhunimbadikwatha,
Dhanyapanchakkwatha, Kutajavaleha
3. Leaves (patra):Panchapallava, Ramabana rasa, Ashtapatrataila
Actions andsingle formulation3
1. Root (Moola):
The roots are sweet, astringent, bitter. It hasLaghu, Ushna guna,Tridoshaghna
properties and useful in vomitting, dysurea4, asthma, cough, hiccough, tuberculosis,
fever, diarrhoea, stomach ache5.
Charak mentioned Bilva root in Arshoghna, Asthapanopaga, Anuvasanopaga and
Shothaharadashemani. Sushruta and VagbhatacomprisedinBrihatpanchmoolagana.
Decoction of Brihat Panchmoola mixed with honey alleviates obesity6.
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The patient should be well massaged and then dipped into the warm decoction of
Bilva or buttermilk or sour curd or gruel or cow’s urine. 7
Bilva root were recommendedas diet in asthma and hiccough8.
Roots of Punarnavadwaya and Bilvarelieved fever with oedema9.
Roots of Bilva, Eranda,Chitrak with Shunthi,Hingu,Saidhav relives any type of
stomach ache10
Root crushed and applied with gruel on umbilical region relieved dysuria11.
Root decoction after removing outer layer should be taken with milk promotes
longevity. 12
Only Bilvapowder with honey and ghee promote intellectual power, longevity and
health also. 13
2. Unripe fruit (Apakvaphala):
Unripe fruits are bitter, astringent, and acrid and it has Snighdha-Tikshna-Laghu
guna,Ushna veerya,Vatakaphagha, Sangrahi, Deepana,Pachana, Aamanashana,
Ruchya and Hridya14 properties.
Sushruta and Vagbhata mentioned Bilva in Ambashthadi which cure chronic
diarrhoea, heal fractures, good for Pittaand healers of ulcers.
Intake of Bilva with jaggery checks diarrhoea with blood, relieves pain due to Ama
and constipation and alleviates disorders of bowels15.
Tender fruits of Bilva,jaggery,oil,Pippaliand Shunthi –all these together should be
taken in condition of Vata,pain and tenesmus16.
Paste of tender fruit of Bilva mixed with Shunthi powder and jaggery alleviates severe
Grahaniroga if the patient is kept on the diet of butter milk. 17
One who eats tender fruits of Bilva regularly becomes able to control bleeding piles.
18
3. Leaves (Patra):
Leaves are bitter, sweetand it hasUshnaguna, Vatahara, Kaphapittahara19,
Amanashana, Grahi, Rochana20, Hridya21, Shoolahara, Pramehaghna, Shothahara22
properties.
Juice of Bilva leaves mixed with black pepper is useful in oedemacaused by 3
Doshas,constipation, piles and jaundice23.
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Intake of Bilva leaves mixed with Shunthi,Marich and Pippali alleviates jaundice24.
Juice of Bilva leaves eradicates foul odour of the body. 25
Juice of Bilva leaves is strained and added with ghee,rock saltand Pippalithen it is
rubbed with a cow’s dung fire and dissolved in milk.Filling eyes with this removes
inflammation and pain and it is useful in conjunctivitis,Glaucomaand congestion. 26
Taking Bilva Leaves as diet subside Vatadosha27 and useful in diarrhoea28.
It is advised to take bath with Bilva leaves for pregnant woman29.
Dhupa of Bilva leaves with Shirishaleaves,Indrayava,Masha etc. helps to stop
nighttime crying of child. 30
Decoction of Panchapallava(Leaves of Amra,Jambu, Bilva,Kapittha,Bijapoorak) is
administered for gargling in stomatitis. 31
Bilvapatrasadhitajalais used in bath in bridal ritualin vedickala. 32
4. Fruit (Phala):
The ripe fruits are bitter, astringent, acrid and it has Guru, Ruksha guna,
Tridoshakara, Durjara, Pootimarutkar, Vidahi, Agnisadakara, Vrishya, Grahi,
Shukrala, Sugandhi, Adhmanakara33, Dahakara, Vishtambhi34 properties.
Bilva fruit is considered as vegetable source of unctuous substance for modulus,
rough stool, unfavorable Vayu, mild digestion, coarseness35.
5. Flower (Pushpa):
Flowers are useful in diarrhoea, excessive thirst, and vomiting. 36
Bilva flower should be taken as diet in eruptive Boils37.
Flowers of Bilva should be taken internally or applied locally in skin diseases38.
6. Stem (Kashtha):
Stem is useful in coughing and it has Amanashana, Hridya, Ruchya, Deepana39
properties.
Sutikagara (Delivery room) and a bed are made by Bilva stem is good for woman and
child40.
Pieces of the stems of the major Pancha-moola measuring eighteen fingers in length
should be covered (extending only to three-fourths of the whole) with a piece of linen
and then soaked in oil. The stick so formed, should then be lighted and the oil pouring
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in drops there from should be used lukewarm (as an ear-drop). It instantaneously
removes the pain, and is known as the Dipika-Taila41.
Bilva stem has been used as toothbrush for bringing significant wealth42.
Vessel used in Panchakarma should be made of Bilva stem to nullified Patradosha43
7. Stem bark (Twak):
Decoction of Stem bark of Bilvawith Putikaranj, Shami,Udumbar etc. is made for
bathing child with it. This is said to promote longevity44.
Stem bark of Bilva with honey checks vomiting from Tridosha45.
8. Tree (Vriksha):
In condition of Vata causing pain in sides, stiffness and cardiac distress, oil mixed
with alkali of Bilva should be given. 46
9. Spine (Kantak):
It is believed that Bilva spine should be strung together in the shape of a garland and
tied to cure Skandhagraha47.
10. Epiphyte plant on Bilva (Bilvothabandak):
Taking this with ghee relives Vishamjwara48.
Roots of Epiphyte plant on Bilva with Shami, Soma, Arjun wears as ornament in
Skandhagraha49.
Celestial uses:
The powder of Bilvaroot taken in Pushyanakshtra should be blessed with a thousand
times by reciting the Shrisuktam and then should be mixed with gold, honey and
ghee. Taking every morning it brings wealth and health. 50
It is told to wear ‘Bailvamani’ (Fruit) as ornament for Vishtambhajambhana,
Dusvapnanashana, Rakshoghna, Rasayana, Prajasthapana, Vishaghnaand Shamaka
in ShankhyanaAranyaka51
The Nakshtra shanti poojais performed with the help of Bilva stem, specially
Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhādrapadā, Revati
Nakshtras52.
It is told to wear Bilva-danda in an UpanayanSamskara.
Its flower is useful in Nakshtra puja. 53
Bilva flower is considered in one of the Ashtapushpa which liked by Lord Shiva. 54
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It is auspicious to grow for one who born in Chitranakshtra55.
To see and touch of Bilva said to fortunate for everyone56.
Contraindications:
Root is contraindicated in Rajyakshma57 (Tuberculosis), consumption with Parada58
(Mercury) and with Lokanatha Rasa59.
Ripe fruit is contraindicated in Samgrahani60 (Irritable bowel disease), Arsha61
(Piles).
Table 1, 2 and 3 are showing total number of Bilva formulations according to part used in
Bruhattrayi and other chikitsagrantha.
Table-1
Part used
Charak
samhita
Susruta
samhita
Astanga
samgraha
Astanga
hridaya
Sharangdhar
samhita
Bhavprakasha
samhita
Root
123
70
171
117
14
91
Unripe fruit
62
43
44
43
23
38
Stem
2
4
3
-
1
-
Leaves
4
1
8
2
-
8
Fruit
1
-
-
1
-
-
Stem bark
-
1
1
1
1
1
Flower
-
2
1
-
-
-
Spine
-
1
-
-
-
-
Tree
-
1
1
-
-
-
Epiphyte
plant on Bilva
-
-
-
-
-
1
Total
192
123
229
164
39
139
Table-2
Part used
Kashyap
samhita
Bhela
samhita
Vrinda
madhav
Chakradutta
Raj
martand
Harita
samhita
Gada
nigraha
Ayurveda
prakash
Root
66
22
171
144
-
29
186
1
Unripe
fruit
12
15
62
56
2
23
78
-
Stem
-
-
1
1
-
1
1
-
Leaves
2
-
3
11
1
-
8
1
Fruit
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Flower
-
1
-
-
-
1
-
-
Tree
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
Epiphyte
plant on
Bilva
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
Total
81
38
238
212
3
54
274
2
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Table-3
Part
used
Vangasena
samhita
Vaidya
jivan
Yoga
ratnakar
Nighant
ratnakar
Bhaishajya
ratnavali
Siddha
bheshaj
manimala
Sahastra
yoga
Root
238
6
117
216
201
-
155
Unripe
fruit
112
12
66
106
107
6
40
Stem
-
-
-
1
1
-
2
Leaves
14
-
6
6
11
-
2
Fruit
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
Stem
bark
1
-
1
1
-
-
-
Flower
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
Tree
-
-
1
1
-
-
-
Total
365
18
192
332
320
6
199
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The present review is an approach to compile information regarding single and compound
formulation of Bilva from different Ayurvedicchikitsa-grantha. Every part of Bilva shows
therapeutic uses as well as celestial uses; but root and unripe fruit were more acceptable part
used in formulations by every sages of Ayurveda. Maximum single and compound formulations
of Bilva root and unripe fruit were found in Vangasenasamhita i.e.238 and 112 respectively.
Root along with a part of Dashamoola prescribed in many conditions like asthma, cough,
oedema, indigestion, sciatica, piles, psychosomatic disorders etc.; while unripe fruit is mostly
preferred in gastrointestinal diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, Irritable bowel syndrome etc.
Hence, it can be said that Bilva (Aegle marmelos) is useful to cure various diseases safely.
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For Correspondence
Parmar Neha
Email: nehaa.parmarr@gmail.com