# Bilva Majja

> Bilva Majja (Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (fruit pulp)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rutaceae family. Referenced in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants (Vol.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (fruit pulp)
- **Family:** Rutaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Referenced in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants (Vol. 2, 2002); listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia; recognized in AYUSH traditional medicine framework

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | [Bilva](/herb/bilva/) Majja |
| Latin/Botanical | *Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (fruit pulp)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Marmelide](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#marmelide)
- [Marmelosin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#marmelosin)
- [Psoralen](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#psoralen)
- [Imperatorin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#imperatorin)
- [Aegeline](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#aegeline)
- Marmin
- Beta-carotene
- [Mucilage](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mucilage)
- [Pectin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pectin)
- Vitamin C

## How does it work?

- Marmelosin and marmelide (furocoumarins) inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and exhibit antidiarrhoeal activity by reducing intestinal motility and enhancing water absorption in the gut
- Psoralen and imperatorin exert [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) effects by enhancing insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells and improving peripheral [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose) uptake through GLUT4 transporter upregulation
- Pectin and mucilage in fruit pulp form a protective barrier on gastric mucosa, exhibiting gastroprotective activity against acid-induced ulceration

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Antidiarrhoeal activity extensively validated through multiple pharmacological studies confirming traditional Ayurvedic use of [Bilva](/herb/bilva/) Majja for Atisara (diarrhea) and Grahani (IBS)
- Antidiabetic effects validated through [coumarins](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#coumarins)-enriched extract studies supporting traditional use for Prameha (diabetes) in classical Ayurvedic texts
- Radioprotective activity validated in preclinical models, a novel finding extending beyond traditional uses

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Tiwari R, Mishra S, Danaboina G and others 2023. [Comprehensive chemo-profiling of coumarins enriched extract derived from Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa fruit pulp, as an anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory agent](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37564748/). *Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society*. PMID [37564748](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37564748/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101708](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101708)  
  Coumarins enriched from bael fruit pulp demonstrated significant anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activity, validating potential for phytopharmaceutical development.
- Manandhar B, Paudel KR, Sharma B and others 2018. [Phytochemical profile and pharmacological activity of Aegle marmelos Linn](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29709412/). *Journal of integrative medicine*. PMID [29709412](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29709412/) · [doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.04.007](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2018.04.007)  
  Fruit pulp contains bioactive coumarins, [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids), and [terpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#terpenoids) exhibiting antidiarrhoeal, [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/), antiviral, radioprotective, and [anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) properties.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Fruit pulp is widely consumed as food and traditional medicine with long history of safe use; ethanolic leaf extract showed minimal cytotoxicity at low concentrations (6.3 ul/ml)
- No significant systemic toxicity reported at therapeutic doses; variability in phytochemical composition between specimens may affect dosing consistency
- Insufficient clinical trials exist to fully validate safety; standardized formulations are needed for reliable therapeutic application

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Avaleha (confection/jam), Churna (pulp powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet

**Standard Dosage:** 5-10g pulp (fresh or dried) twice daily; 3-6g dried pulp powder; 50-100ml decoction; as [Bilva](/herb/bilva/) Avaleha 10-20g

**Bioavailability:** [Bilva](/herb/bilva/) Majja (fruit pulp/marrow) contains high mucilage and pectin which form a protective gel in the GI tract—this is the therapeutic mechanism for antidiarrheal action rather than systemic absorption. Coumarins present in the pulp show moderate oral bioavailability. Carotenoids in ripe pulp benefit from lipid co-administration.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals for diarrhea management; after meals as digestive tonic; Avaleha can be taken anytime

**Standardized Extract:** Dried pulp powder standardized to total mucilage NLT 15%; tannin content NLT 5% (unripe); marmelosin NLT 0.5%

**Shelf Life:** 18 months (dried pulp powder); 2 years (Avaleha); 3 years (capsule/tablet)

**Storage:** Dried pulp powder in airtight containers with desiccant—highly hygroscopic. Avaleha in glass jars away from moisture. Temperature below 25°C.

**Marker Compounds:** Marmelosin, Marmelide, Pectin, Mucilage [polysaccharides](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polysaccharides), Beta-carotene (ripe fruit), [Tannins](/reference/tannins/) (unripe fruit), [Riboflavin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#riboflavin)

### Extraction Methods

- Mechanical separation of pulp from shell and seeds
- Aqueous extraction for mucilage-rich fraction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50) for [coumarin](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#coumarin) enrichment
- Sun-drying or tray-drying of pulp for powder preparation
- Traditional Avaleha preparation with sugar and spices

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Sunthi and Jaggery in traditional Bilva Avaleha
- With Kutaja for enhanced antidiarrheal effect
- With [Dadima](/herb/dadima/) rasa for malabsorption
- With Musta and Ativisha for pediatric diarrhea formulations

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/bilva-majja/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.