Bael Facts
Bael Facts
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| Interesting Bael Facts: |
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| Bael has short, thick trunk and narrow, oval crown. It can reach 40 to 50 feet in height. |
| Beal develops compound leaves composed of 3 oval-shaped leaflets. Leaves are alternately arranged on the branches. Young leaves emit pleasant aroma when they are crushed. |
| Bael produces greenish-white, individual flowers. They emit sweet scent which attracts insects that are responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Bael produces spherical fruit, size of a large grapefruit. Ripe fruit is filled with white, hairy seed and yellowish, mucilage flesh. It has yellowish, woody rind on the surface. Harvest of the fruit takes place 11 months after pollination. |
| Bael tastes like rose-scented marmalade with a tinge of lemony flavor. It is rich source of dietary fibers, vitamins C and beta carotene and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. |
| Hard shell on the surface of the fruit can be broken only with hammer or machete. |
| Slices of bael are usually dried in the sun before consumption. Pulp of the fruit is often mixed with ice and sugar (or with milk and honey) and consumed in the form of refreshing beverage during the summer. |
| Young shoots and leaves of bael tree are consumed as green vegetables in Thailand. |
| Bael is sacred tree in Bhutan where immature girls undergo ritual called "Bael Kama" and become "married to bael fruit" to ensure fertility in the upcoming years. |
| Bael tree secretes gummy substance from the broken branches that can be used as glue or for the preservation of colors on the paintings. |
| Oil obtained from bael fruit is used to improve the scent of carved items. |
| Wood of bael tree is not very durable, but it can be used for the manufacture of knife handles and small decorative objects. |
| Flowers of bael are used for the preparation of perfumes and colognes. |
| Ripe bael is used as laxative. Dried fruit is used in treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and tuberculosis. Leaves are effective in treatment of fever, asthma, bronchitis, swellings, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. Flowers are used in treatment of internal parasites and itching of the eyes. Root is used in treatment of heart disorders, indigestion and vomiting. Nearly all parts of the plant (root, leaves and bark) are used in treatment of snake bites. |
| Bael is perennial plant (lifespan: more than 2 years). |
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