A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Bilva
Latin Name: Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.
Family: Rutaceae (Jambeera Kula)
Classical Gana/Varga:
Charaka Samhita: Arshoghna (anti-hemorrhoidal), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), Asthapanopaga (decoction enema adjuvant), Anuvasanopaga (oil enema adjuvant).
Sushruta Samhita: Brihatpanchamula, Varunadi, Ambashthadi.
Sanskrit Synonyms: Shandilya, Shailusha, Shreephala, Malura, Gandhagarbha, Kantaki, Sadaphala, Shivadruma, Gandhaphala, Laxmiphala, Shree.
Regional Names:
Hindi: Bela
Marathi: Bel
Telugu: Maredu
Tamil: Vilvam (Fruit: Vilva-pazham)
Malayalam: Koovalam
English: Bael
Morphology: A medium-sized tree, 8-10 meters tall, with straight, sharp axillary thorns. Leaves are alternate and trifoliate, with a characteristically bitter aroma. Flowers are greenish-white and fragrant. The fruit is large (5-18 cm diameter), globose, with a hard, woody rind that turns yellowish-grey to orange when ripe. The pulp is orange, aromatic, and contains numerous small, hard seeds.
Habitat: Found throughout India, particularly in Bengal, Bihar, central and southern India, and Burma.
Part Used: Fruit (raw and ripe), root, leaves, stem bark.
Purification (Śodhana): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Preservation: Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
The properties vary based on the maturity of the fruit.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property (Raw Fruit - Bidabilva) Property (Ripe Fruit - Pakvabilva)
Rasa (Taste) Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) Katu, Tikta, Kashaya, Madhura (Sweet)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous), Teekshna (Penetrating) Guru (Heavy), Ruksha (Dry)
Vīrya (Potency) Ushna (Heating) Ushna (Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Katu (Pungent) Katu (Pungent)
Dosha Karma: Primarily Kapha-Vatahara (reduces Kapha and Vata Dosha). Due to its Ushna Virya and Katu Vipaka, it can be Pitta-vardhaka (aggravating to Pitta) in certain contexts.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha & Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System):
Mechanism: Raw fruit is Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Grahi (absorbent), and Krimighna (anthelmintic). Its Kashaya Rasa causes contraction of the intestinal lumen, while its Ushna Virya dries excess moisture (Kleda) in the stools.
Clinical Use: Agnimandya (low digestive fire), Atisara (diarrhea), Pravahika (dysentery), Grahani (irritable bowel syndrome), Vibandha (constipation from Vata imbalance). Ripe fruit acts as a mild laxative (Mriduvirechana).
Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory System):
Mechanism: Its Kapha-reducing properties help clear the respiratory channels.
Clinical Use: Pratishyaya (rhinitis), Kasa (cough), Shvasa (asthma/dyspnea).
Rasa-Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory & Blood-related Systems):
Mechanism: Root and leaf juice have Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) properties. The root is Hridya (cardiotonic).
Clinical Use: Shotha (edema, inflammation), Hriddairbalya (cardiac weakness), Hritkampa (palpitations).
Majjavaha Srotas (Nervous System):
Mechanism: Leaves are Shothahara and Vedanashapana (analgesic).
Clinical Use: Vatavyadhis like Akshepaka (convulsions), Unmada (psychosis), Anidra (insomnia).
Medovaha & Mutravaha Srotas (Fat & Urinary Systems):
Mechanism: Exhibits hypoglycemic and antidiuretic actions.
Clinical Use: Ikshumeha (Diabetes Mellitus), Puyameha (urinary infection), Mutraghata (urinary obstruction).
Primary Actions: Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Grahi (absorbent), Krimighna (anthelmintic), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), Vedanashapana (analgesic), Hridya (cardiotonic), Mriduvirechana (mild laxative).
Dosage (Mātrā): Dosage for purified powder is not explicitly specified in the source text. Administration is primarily via decoctions, powders, and juices of specific parts.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Water, Honey, Jaggery, Milk, Sesame Oil, Rice Washings (Manda), depending on the condition.
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Bilvapanchaka Kwatha, Bilvadi Churna, Bilvadi Ghrita, Bilva Taila, Bilvamuladi Gutika.
Contraindications (Nivārita): Caution is advised in conditions of high Pitta due to its Ushna Virya and Katu Vipaka.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Chemical Composition:
Fruit Pulp: Marmesoline, pectin, mucilage, tannin, volatile oil, sugar.
Leaves: Essential oil, alkaloids (egaline, egalinine).
Seeds: Pale yellow oil (laxative and bitter).
Roots: Alkaloids (ambeline), coumarin.
Stem Bark: Marmin, coumarin. Ash contains sodium, potassium, iron, phosphate, calcium carbonate, etc.
Research Notes: Modern research confirms its effectiveness against Ankylostomiasis (hookworm), Amoebiasis, Ascariasis (roundworm), and Giardiasis.