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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.




BAEL
aka Bel, Belae fructus, Bengal quince, Indian Bael
(Aegle marmelos)
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Native to India, the fruit of this plant is faintly aromatic, globular to ovoid, 2½ to 3¼ in diameter and mucilaginous to the taste, being high in mucilage and pectin. The color is grayish-brown with a hard smooth outside surface. The rind adheres to a ligh-red pulp containing 10 to 15 seed cells. Seeds are woolly in appearance. When ripe the fruit has a distinct aroma and yields positive for the presence of tannin.

PART USED: Unripe fruit (must be fresh).

MEDICINAL USES:
Mildly astringent.
Used in decoction or the pulp eaten.
Contracts tissues and reduces flow of fluids from the glands.
Well known in India as a remedy for diarrhea and dysentary.
Has been used in conditions where there is inflammation of the mucous membranes accompanied ulcers or fevers, or both.





©2000 & 2005 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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