Bel

Indian Name: Bilva,Bael,Vilvam Other Names: Bael, Bilwa, Belaphal Family: Rutaceae Plant Parts Used : Root, Bark, Leaves, Fruits and Root-bark Actions and Uses : In chronic dysenteric conditions, accompanied by loose stools alternating with occasional constipation, the ripe fruit is widely used in different formulations. Chronic diarrhea or dysentery responds well to bilva, this therapeutic effect being included in the British Pharmacopoeia. It is also been used for treating giardiasis. The bark and leaves are used in medicated retention enema. The root improves appetite and relieves nausea. It is also used as a mild sedative. The extract of leaves is used in diabetes mellitus. The root is administered with other plants during post-partum period. The oil is used as ear drops. Bilva has been used very widely for thousands of years in India. Occasionally constipation has been reported with larger doses of root bark. The extract of leaves has shown isotropic effects on the heart in experimental animals. Hypoglycemic effects have been reported. It is a fruit used in diarrhea, dysentery and cholera due to its digestive and carminative properties. Both ripe and unripe fruit is regraded as an astringent. It helps in the healing of ulcerated intestinal surfaces. It possesses antiviral, anthelmintic, and anti-inflammatory properties and has appreciable activity against Vibrio cholera and Salmonella. The bitter, pungent leaf juice, mixed with honey, is given to allay catarrh and fever. With black pepper added, it is taken to relieve jaundice and constipation accompanied by edema. The leaf decoction is said to alleviate asthma. A hot poultice of the leaves is considered an effective treatment for ophthahnia and various inflammations, also febrile delirium and acute bronchitis. A decoction of the flowers is used as eye lotion and given as an antiemetic. The bark contains tannin and the cournarin, aegelinol; also the furocourmarin, marmesin; umbelliferone, a hydroxy coumarin; and the alkaloids, fagarine and skimmianine. The bark decoction is administered in cases of malaria. Decoctions of the root are taken to relieve palpitations of the heart, indigestion, and bowel inflammations; also to overcome vomiting. The fruit, roots and leaves have antibiotic activity. The root, leaves and bark are used in treating snakebite. Chemical studies have revealed the following properties in the roots: psoralen, xanthotoxin, O-methylscopoletin, scopoletin, tembamide, and skimmin; also decursinol, haplopine and aegelinol, in the root bark. Flesh is eaten raw or processed into drinks or flavoring. Fruit pulp is sometimes used as a detergent and adhesive. Ripe pulp is used as a digestive aid and a laxative. Unripe pulp is used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. All other parts of the plant are used for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. Leaves are poisonous. Uses : It is Antiscorbutic,Carminative, Alterative and Nutritive. It is used in colisting diahorrea, dysentary, constipation and diarrhoea. It is aromatic, astringent, cooling, febrifuge and also acts as tonic for heart and brain. Action antibilious, antiparasitical, antipyretic, aphrodisiac, aromatic, alterative, astringent; digestive stimulant, febrifuge, hemostatic, laxative, nutritive, stomachic, stimulant, tonic. Uses: habitual constipation diabetes dyspepsia chronic diarrhea heart diseases dysentery Decoction of the root and stem-bark is used in the palpitation of the heart. Leaf-juice is reported to have multifarious medicinal uses, including control of diabetes.