Wood Apple Juice

Hot summer noon can be tackled with a cool chilled glass of body cooler, that is very well known as “Bael juice”.

This aromatic fruit is native to India and South Asia with a scientific name “Aegle Marmelos”. They are commonly known as “Wood apples” or “stone apples” due to their resemblance to hard wooden balls or small stones. Although, their shell is hard to break, the pulp inside is quite soft and mushy. It has a sweet aroma and is slightly tangy in taste.It is an excellent source of nutrients like vitamins (riboflavin), minerals, trace elements, energy and phytochemicals, including flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidants, dietary fiber that have been shown to have varied health benefits.

Everyone must have spotted “ Wood Apple juice” or “Bael Juice” on the go in summer season. Interestingly, Bael juice can not only be your new summer beverage but it also helps you lead a better life.

Have you ever imagined that a unique looking, round shaped , woody texture fruit, which you can easily find at juice wala’s thela in every summer season can be so good for your health. It is an important medicinal herb, and extensively used in Ayurveda, Siddha and other medicinal systems.

Stop worrying about your health this monsoon ! Nature has provided a complete storehouse of remedies to cure ailment of mankind. The importance of Bael juice has long been recognized in the ancient practice of Ayurveda for the treatment of Tuberculosis, Infections and Digestive problems.

Let’s discuss few more health benefits of Bael and its other parts:

1. Diarrhea: Unripe bael fruit may help treat diarrhea, according to a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2009. In laboratory experiments, the study's authors observed that extracts of unripe bael fruit pulp possess antibacterial properties that may help fight diarrhea caused by bacterial infection.

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology in 2012 suggested that unripe bael fruit may help protect against inflammatory bowel disease .

3. Prevent Constipation: Bael in its ripe form is best to treat constipation because of which it is regarded as the best laxatives. It mainly cleanses as well as tones the intestine due to which it even removes the old accumulated feces in the bowels if used regularly for a couple of months. The best results are achieved if it is had in the form of the juice of the ripe fruit. The flesh of the ripe fruit has to be removed completely and made into juice.

4. Control Diabetes: Bael is also known to be used to control diabetes. For this, the leaves of bael have to be used. It reduces the oxidative stress that happens due to diabetes. The consumption of bael leaves have proved to bring down the blood glucose level to 54 percent.

5. To Treat Peptic Ulcer: Bael leaves form to be a very good remedy for peptic ulcer. Its leaves have to be soaked in water overnight and the next day the water has to be strained and consumed early in the morning. Regular use of this drink assures the decrease in pain and discomfort too. Bael leaves are said to be enriched with tannins which decrease the inflammation thereby making way towards the healing of ulcers.

6. To Increase blood count: Bael fruit juice benefits increase blood count in your body thereby tackling hemoglobin and blood loss problems. A good home remedy for someone who has recently lost a lot of blood, hemoglobin is a must for you to stay strong, something bael juice will gladly provide for you. You may use honey as a sweetener to heal naturally.

7. Immunity: Your body’s self-defense is your immunity, something that bael can help your build up. This fruit juice uses its goodness to build a veil of protection around your body thereby boosting your immunity.

8. Powerhouse of Nutrition: Bael juice is considered a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and even electrolytes. This would mean Bael can successfully keep you healthy and energetic.

However, there's some concern that Bael fruit may trigger side effects, such as low blood sugar and stomach upset, vomiting and interfere with certain medications, hence not recommended in pregnancy.

So, this summer get some Bael fruit and make “sweet or salty” bael ka sharbat at home. For this little effort your immunity will thank you just as much as your taste buds !

Wood Apple Juice