Bilva
ØDigestive stimulant
ØIncreases strength of the body
ØImproves assimilation and thus prevents the conditions like passing loose stools
ØUseful in management of hemorrhoids
ØUseful in all edematous conditions
Common Name:
Bael(Eng.)
Sanskrit Name:
Bilva- Means that kills all the diseases
Shandilya- Means that relieves from all pains
Shailoosha- Means that have beautiful fruits or grow on mountains
Shriphala- Having attractive fruits
Maloora- Means that enhances the looks of the body
Gandhgarbha- Having a pleasant smell with in it
Kantaki- Means has sharp thorns over it
Sadaphala- Means it has fruits in all the seasons
Granthila- Having tuberous structure over its surface
What Mythology says about the plant:
In Hinduism, the Lord Shiva is said to live under the Bilva tree. In India, the tree is often found in temple gardens and its leaves are used in religious celebrations.
Lt. Name:
Aegle marmelos- Rutaceae
Bio energetics:
Rasa(Taste)- Kashaya(Astringent); Tikta(Bitter)
Guna(Characteristics)- Laghu(Light); Ruksha(Rough)
Veerya(Potency)- Ushna(Warm)
Vipaka(Post digestion effect)- Katu(Pungent)
Effect on Doshas(Bio humours):
Bilva is Kapha-Vata hara(Pacifies Kapha and Vata);i.e. it is useful in management of all the diseases having their origin either in aggravated Kapha/ vata or both.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Shothahara- Bilva is useful in all edematous conditions
Arshoghna- Bilva is useful in management of hemorrhoids
Aasthapanopaga- Bilva is useful in enhancing the effect of Aasthapana Vasti(Therapeutic enema with decoction as the major content)
Anuvasanopaga- Bilva is useful in enhancing the effect of Anuvasana Vasti(Therapeutic enema with oil as the major content)
Grahi- Bilva improves assimilation and thus prevents the conditions like passing loose stools
Balya- Bilva increases strength of the body
Paachana-Bilva is digestive stimulant
Medicinal value:
-
Bilva protects against genotoxicity which may be due to inhibition of free radicals and increased antioxidant status.
-
Oral administration of the water extract of Bilva results in significant reductions in blood glucose, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, ceruloplasmin and α-tocopherol and a significant elevation in plasma reduced glutathione and Vitamin C in diabetics.
-
Oral administration of a Bilva fruit extract leads to a significant lowering of Serum and tissue lipids such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids.
Useful part:
Roots, Bark, leaves and fruit
Doses:
Powder- 3-6gm; Juice- 10-20ml;
Some useful combinations with Bilva:
Bilvapanchaka kwatha; Bilvadi churna; Bilvadi ghruta; Bilva tail; Bilvmooladi gutika
Some special notes about Bilva:
-
Bilva is the best among the medicaments which are useful as assimilation and digestion stimulants; and pacify Vata and Kapha.
-
Oil treated with Bilva fruit is useful in management of all Vata disorders (Diseases involving nervous system)
Ayurveda Herbs | 
Bilva
