Syn.: Crataeva marmelos Linn.
Family: Rutaceae
Arabic Name(s): Bel, Qas-i-Hindi
Urdu Name(s): Bel Giri, Bel phal, Bel, Kathori, بیلگری
English Name(s): Bael Fruit
Parts Used
Epicarp of fruit or ripe fruit.
Quality/Temperament
Cold and moist in second order/cold in second order, dry in third.
Functions and Properties (Pharmacological Actions)
Mucilaginous (glutinous), alterative, astringent, anticonstipative, haemostatic, stomach tonic, antidysenteric, brain and cardiac tonic. The bark is regarded as antipyretic (and cooling).
Specific Action
Mucilaginous, antidysenteric, alterative, antidiabetic.
Medicinal Uses
Due to its mucilaginous, astringent action epicarp of Baelfruit is useful in chronic dysentery, in habitual constipation and several relevant digestive tract disorders like dyspepsia, flatulence and chronic diarrhoea with or without fever. Its conserve and syrup both have astringent as well as softening mild laxative properties and is given during convalescence after diarrhoea. Being useful anticonvulsant its sweet preparations are given as preventive in cholera epidemics and for piles, and as useful antihaemorrhagic given in all kinds of soft tissue haemorrhages (of systemic origin) particularly intestinal and excess blood loss during menstruation. With honey or black pepper in lukewarm water it is a useful prescription in catarrhal affections and thus used successively against biliousness and fevers (as alterative and astringent). Also useful in amoebic dysentery and flatulent colic and as demulcent and febrifuge to people suffering from general debility.
Compound Preparations
Murraba Bael, Murabba Belgari, Ma'jun Bawasir, Sherbet Bael Giri.
Dosage
2-3 g. (in powdered form), in infusion 3-5 g. (approximately).
Corrigent
Sugar.
Tenedium
Plantago ovata Forssk. (Ispaghol) in diarrhoea and dysentery.
Comments
Extensive use as single or in compound preparations may cause obstructions and may become a cause of piles/ haemorrhoids. Normal doses or quantities are considered useful to create required acid-base balance in the body. Baelis an appraised herbal drug (of Unani medicine) for its antidiarrhoeal effect.
