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Bilva

Aegle marmelos

Bilva (Aegle marmelos) is a plant drug, also called Bilvah, Bilvam and Sriphala. Monographed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP, 2021), and United States Pharmacopoeia-Herbal Medicines Compendium (USP, 2021).

Key facts
Botanical nameAegle marmelos
FamilyRutaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSapindales
Pharmacopoeia statusMonographed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP, 2021), and United States Pharmacopoeia-Herbal Medicines Compendium (USP, 2021). Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission developed a PPI monograph quantifying five phytocompounds: marmelosin, marmesin, psoralen, scopoletin, and umbelliferone, with limits on negative marker aegeline. No dedicated WHO monograph identified. Recognized in Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani traditional medicine systems.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5421195 · Wikidata Q234126 · NCBI Taxonomy 68527
Names in other languages
Sanskritबिल्वः (bilvaḥ), बिल्वम् (bilvam), Sriphala, श्रीफलः (śrīphalaḥ)
Hindiबेल (bela), बिल्व (bilva), श्री फल (śrī phala)
EnglishBael, Bael fruit, Bael Root, Bengal Quince
Tamilவில்வம், Vilvam
MalayalamKoovalam
TeluguMaredu
KannadaBilva
MarathiBel
BengaliBela, Bilva
GujaratiBill, Bilum, Bilvaphal
UrduBel, Belgiri
PunjabiBil
OriyaBela
AssameseBael, Vael
KashmiriBel

Sources: Apte (DDSA Practical Sanskrit-English) s.v. Vilva/Bilva: 'A species of tree, Aegle Marmelos or wood-apple; its leaves are used in the worship of Śiva… Derivable forms: bilvaḥ (बिल्वः)'; wisdomlib Ayurveda glossary: 'Bilva (बिल्व) is a Sanskrit word referring Aegle marmelos', part of the Śākavarga in Caraka-saṃhitā sūtrasthāna 27.; Apte (DDSA Practical Sanskrit-English): 'Śrīphala (श्रीफल).—the Bilva tree. (-lam) the Bilva fruit'; Śabda-Sāgara: 'A fruit tree, (Ægle marmelos)'; Wisdom Library biology entry: 'Shriphala in India is the name of a plant defined with Aegle marmelos'.; Apte s.v. Vilva/Bilva: '-lvam 1 The fruit of this tree', quoting Bhāvaprakāśa: बिल्वं बालं कषायोष्णं पाचनं वह्निदीपनम् । संग्राहि तिक्तकटुकं तीक्ष्णं वातकफापहम् ॥; Apte: 'Śrīphala (श्रीफल) — the Bilva tree'; Śabda-Sāgara: 'A fruit tree, (Ægle marmelos)'.; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); DDSA A Practical Hindi-English Dictionary (via wisdomlib): 'Bela (बेल) [Also spelled bel]:—(nm) wood-apple— Aegle marmelos; -[patra] leaves of wood-apple'.; DDSA A Practical Hindi-English Dictionary (via wisdomlib): 'Bilva (बिल्व):—(nm) the wood-apple— Aegle marmelos'; also 'Vilva (विल्व) … wood-apple tree and its fruit — Aegle marmelos'.; DDSA: University of Madras Tamil Lexicon, Vilvam (வில்வம்): '1. Bael, medium tree Aegle marmelos' (Patārtta Kuṇa Cintāmaṇi 448); Wisdom Library 'Local Names of Plants and Drugs': 'Vilvam in the Tamil language is the name of a plant identified with Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa'.. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2020 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 12Other clinical studies and reviews

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishBael

How does it work?

  • Antidiarrheal bidirectional motility modulation: Slows intestinal motility during diarrhea and eases it in constipation, attributed to balance of tannins and mucilage — a rare bidirectional property.
  • Anti-inflammatory: Marmelosin (imperatorin) inhibits TNF-alpha mediated inflammatory markers and possesses antioxidant properties.
  • Antidiabetic: Studies report that aegeline and marmelosin improve insulin signaling and reduce fasting glucose; oral extract increases body weight, pancreas weight, and insulin levels with improved beta-cell functional state.
  • Coumarins (marmelosin, imperatorin, psoralen) are the most frequently reported bioactive class linked to antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities.
  • Neuroprotective: Network pharmacology identifies multi-target mechanisms against Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins.
  • Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm: Fruit extract demonstrates activity against multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Insufficient reliable evidence to confirm safety when used as oral medicine; most safety data derive from traditional use rather than controlled trials.
  • Large amounts may cause stomach upset, constipation, dehydration, dryness of mouth, stomach cramps, or nausea.
  • Consuming large amounts of unripe fruit may irritate the intestines.
  • Pregnancy contraindication: Traditionally used to stimulate uterine contractions; excessive use may pose risk of preterm labor. Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • May lower blood sugar — caution with concurrent diabetes medications due to additive hypoglycemic risk.
  • Surgical precaution: Discontinue use at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery due to blood sugar interference.
  • Aegeline (alkaloid in bael) is monitored as a negative marker (toxic compound) in pharmacopoeia monographs.
  • Bael fruits are prone to aflatoxin contamination; aflatoxin analysis is recommended before consumption as food or medicine.

What is it made of?

The marker compounds are listed under Dosage forms and preparation, below.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), Kwath Ghana (solid extract), Taila (oil), Bilva Avaleha, Panchamrita (compound preparation)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g fruit pulp powder twice daily; 500mg extract capsule; 50-100ml decoction; Bilva Avaleha 10-20g; unripe fruit preferred for diarrhea

Optimal Timing: Before meals with buttermilk for diarrhea; after meals for digestive support; Avaleha anytime as a tonic

Storage: Cool, dry place away from light (furanocoumarins are photosensitive). Powder in airtight containers with desiccant. Avaleha in glass jars.

Marker Compounds: Marmelosin, Marmelide, Skimmianine, Aegeline, Marmeline, Psoralen, Imperatorin, Luvangetin, Umbelliferone

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Kutaja (Holarrhena), traditionally used for chronic diarrhea
  • With Musta for digestive disorders
  • With Sunthi (dry ginger) for appetizer formulations
  • With Dadima , traditionally used for malabsorption
  • With Dhanyaka (coriander) for GI health

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews12

  1. Sharma A, Gugulothu D, Virmani T and others. 2025. Ethnopharmacological Profile, Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Potential of Aegle marmelos L. for the Treatment of Neurological DisordersJournal of nutrition and metabolism. PMID 40535825 · doi:10.1155/jnme/2275526
  2. Dwivedi J, Kumar P, Sachan P and others. 2025. Phyto-pharmacological Potential of Aegle marmelos (L.) for Neurological Disorders: Progress and ProspectsRecent advances in food, nutrition & agriculture. PMID 38468524 · doi:10.2174/012772574X289517240222045916
  3. Pattanaik SK, Anil PM, Jena S and others. 2025. Interlinking diabetes and Alzheimer's disease: A pathway through medicinal plant-based treatmentsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 40484255 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120092
  4. Sharma M, Bains A, Goksen G and others. 2024. Bioactive polysaccharides from Aegle marmelos fruit: Recent trends on extraction, bio-techno functionality, and food applicationsFood science & nutrition. PMID 38726405 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.4026
  5. Tiwari R, Mishra S, Chauhan A and others. 2024. The Dawn till Dusk of phytopharmaceuticalsSaudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society. PMID 39435370 · doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102185
  6. Monika S, Thirumal M, Kumar PR. 2023. Phytochemical and biological review of Aegle marmelos LinnFuture science OA. PMID 37026028 · doi:10.2144/fsoa-2022-0068
  7. Raghu SV, Rao S, Kini V and others. 2023. Fruits and their phytochemicals in mitigating the ill effects of ionizing radiation: review on the existing scientific evidence and way forwardFood & function. PMID 36688345 · doi:10.1039/d2fo01911f
  8. Sharma N, Radha, Kumar M and others. 2022. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa: An Underutilized Fruit with High Nutraceutical Values: A ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 36142805 · doi:10.3390/ijms231810889
  9. Kudva AK, Raghu SV, Rao S and others. 2022. Indian Indigenous Fruits as Radioprotective Agents: Past, Present and FutureAnti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry. PMID 34229590 · doi:10.2174/1871520621666210706124315
  10. Prabhakar P, Pavankumar GS, Raghu SV and others. 2022. Utility of Indian Fruits in Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Time to Undertake Translational and Bedside StudiesCurrent pharmaceutical design. PMID 35652402 · doi:10.2174/1381612828666220601151931
  11. Venthodika A, Chhikara N, Mann S and others. 2021. Bioactive compounds of Aegle marmelos L., medicinal values and its food applications: A critical reviewPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 33159390 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6934
  12. Ong HG, Kim YD. 2020. Medicinal plants for gastrointestinal diseases among the Kuki-Chin ethnolinguistic groups across Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar: A comparative and network analysis studyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 31917280 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112415

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

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