Bilva

BOTANICAL NAME: Aegle marmelos

FAMILY: Rutaceae

CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Charaka: Shothahara, Arshoghana, Asthapanopaga

Sushruta: Varunadi, Ambashtadi, Brihat panchamoola, Dashamoola

ENGLISH NAME: Bengal Quince, Bael

COMMON NAME:

Punjabi: Bil

Hindi: Bel

बिल्वः शाण्डिल्यशैलूषौ मालूरश्रीफलावपि |

श्रीफलस्तुवरस्तिक्तो ग्राही रूक्षोऽग्निपित्तकृत् |

वातश्लेष्महरो बल्यो लघुरुष्णश्च पाचनः ||११||

HABITAT: The plains and sub mountain regions of India, ascending to an altitude of 1200 m in the western Himalayas and is cultivated all over India.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: A medium size tree with spines which are 2.5 cm, long, strong, axillary, Leaves- 3 foliate, alternate and leaflets are ovate-lanceolae, aromatic, flowers 3 cm, across greenish white scented, Fruit 5 to 17.5 cm in diameter, Pericarp-hard about 3 mm thick, globose, grey or yellow, pulp sweet and orange colored. The Flowering time is March to April and fruiting time is Rainy Season.

AYURVEDIC CHARACTERISTICS:

RASA	GUNA	VEERYA	VIPAKA	PRABHAVA	DOSHGHNTA
Kasaya, Tikta	Ruksha Laghu	Ushna	Katu	–	Kaphavatasamaka

AYURVEDIC ENERGETICS:

TASTE	PROPERTY	POTENCY	POST DIGESTION EFFECT	ACTION	DOSHA ACTION
Astringent, Bitter	Dry, light	Hot	Pungent	–	Kapha vata pacifying

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Marmelosin, Aegelin

THERAPEUTIC USES:

• Sinusitis: Fruit oil is to be administered
• Muscle pain: Leaves paste is to applied externally
• Headache: A decoction or juice of leaves is to be administered

INDICATIONS:

Prameha Diabetes mellitus, Raktavikara Blood disorders, Shvetapradara Leucorrhea, Atisara Diarrhea

USEFUL PART: Root, Bark, Leaves, Fruits

DOSAGE: Powder 3-6 gm

AYURVEDIC FORMULATION:

1. Bilvapancaka kvatha

2. Bilvadi curna, Bilva taila

3. Biladi ghrta

4. Bilvamuladi gutika

5. Dosamularista kvatha