WOOD APPLE: A FRUIT WITH FUNKY SMELL

Introduction:

Botanically known as Aegle marmelos, Wood Apple is inherent to India but also found in Thailand, Sri Lanka and other regions of Southern part of Asia. Wood Apple is considered to be sacred since it has been cultivated in India for more than 4000 years. It is also known as bael fruit. 

Fruit is globosely and spherical in shape. The shell is gray to green in color which later on turns into pale yellow. As the shell is very hard, it is cracked with hammer or machete. The pulp inside the fruit is very aromatic and fibrous. It contains resinous hairy seeds which are covered with mucilage. The pulp tastes like marmalade but tangy and slightly astringent having aroma of rose.

Origin and cultivation:

The narration of this tree goes back to Vedic period- 2000 BC – 800 BC. The fruit have been pointed out in Yajur Veda. The tree has got huge legendary significance and it’s also present in large quantity all around temples. Bael fruit is in fact held holy by the Hindus and in accordance with several Hindu customs; the foliage is typically utilized as holy offering to Lord Shiva, who’s likely to live beneath bael tree. The fruit is produced all over India in addition to Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan Sri Lanka and Burma.

Varieties:

Several varieties of wood apple grow in India, of which two types are very popular—yellow bael, which is sweet when ripe, and the kod bael, which is both sweet and sour when ripe. Both have tremendous medicinal value. 

Health benefits of wood apple:

The wood apple tree is probably the most valuable therapeutic plants of India. Its therapeutic qualities happen to be explained within the historic healthcare treatise in Sanskrit, Charaka Samhita. All of the parts of this particular tree which includes stem, bark, root, leaves as well as fruit at every stage of maturation have therapeutic benefits.

▪︎Cure for constipation: Ripe wood apple fruit acts as a laxative which helps to cleanse and tone the intestines. For best results, it could be consumed regularly for 2 to 3 months in form of sherbet which is made from pulp.

▪︎Cure peptic ulcers: Leaves of Wood Apple have adequate amount of tannin that assist to cure ulcers. Drench the leaves in water overnight and take this water like beverage each week. Sherbet prepared from ripe Bael fruit contains substance that covers inner mucosa of stomach that helps to cure ulcers.

▪︎Respiratory health: Leaves of Wood Apple treat respiratory problems. For lowering cough and cold, heat sesame oil with teaspoon of black cumin, blackpepper seeds and juice of Bael leaves. When the oil is lukewarm, massage it to head and scalp before bath. Consume leaves of Bael with 3 to 4 blackpepper seeds and drink warm milk to lower occurrence of asthma. It should be done for atleast one month.

▪︎Controls cholesterol, blood sugar and uric acid: Leaves of Wood Apple possess methanol properties which help to lower cholesterol level, blood urea and blood sugar. Studies shows that activity of methanol properties found in leaves is identical to contemporary drugs. To obtain the effect consume tea made from dried leaves daily. It helps to lower lipid profiles and triglycerides.

▪︎Treat scurvy: Scurvy is caused due to deficiency of Vitamin C which is a life threatening condition. Wood Apple has high content of Vitamin C which prevents scurvy from developing. High content of Vitamin C promotes potency and strengthen immune system by preventing viral and microbial infections.

▪︎Prevent malaria: Studies shows that the application of pulp mixture and repellents on skin of pregnant women might be beneficial for preventing from malaria. Repellents are non-irritating and neutral and have warm sensation on application of this mix. Still studies are being conducted to ascertain mechanisms behind the mixture benefits on malaria.

▪︎Cure for haemorrhoids: Juice extracted from Bael fruit has tannin in it which helps to cure cholera, vitiligo, diarrhea and haemorrhoids. It is useful for treating anemia, eye and ear disorders. The mixture of juice with ghee and turmeric is used in Ayurveda for treating fractured bones.

Precautions:

Some precautions should be taken before consumption of wood apple is follows:

• Excessive intake of Wood Apple causes flatulence in abdomen so the people with gastric problems should be careful while using it.

• Try a small amount in order to check how the body reacts.

• It should not be consumed regularly. Consuming this fruit without a break causes lack of normal flexibility, agony of intestines and major flatulence.

• Excessive consumption causes heavy sensation in stomach.

• Avoid by the pregnant women and lactating mothers.

• Thyroid patients and people who are allergic should avoid it.

How to eat??

● Scoop out the pulp and consume it raw.

● Pulp could be blended with palm sugar syrup and coconut milk.

● The pulp is beaten with pal suagra in Indonesia and consumed at breakfast.

● Pulp could be processed into beverages, sherbed or frozen as ice cream.

● Make the pulp into preserves, chutney, marmalade, jelly, jams and also processed into toffee or treacle.

● In Sri Lanka, fruit pulp is processed into cream.

● In Thailand, tender shoots, young leaves and ripe fruits are consumed fresh.

● Indians consume the pulp of ripe fruit with jaggery or sugar.

● Make chutney from ripe pulp.

● Leaves are used in salads.

Conclusion:

Wood apple have various health benefits as shown by many studies so one’s should incorporate this fruit in their diet. It is locally available as well as in supermarket or online with affordable price. 

Musharrafa Asad

References:

○ Jayakumar, D. A., & Geetha, K. (n.d.). Wood Apple: Uses and Benefits. 2.

Wood Apple Facts and Health Benefits. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2021, from https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/bael-fruit/

○ Wood Apple: How To Eat & Benefits | Organic Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2021, from https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-wood-apple-or-bel-fruit.html