Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Bilwa Patra

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (leaves)

Bilwa Patra (Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (leaves)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rutaceae family. Referenced in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia; Bilwa Patra is one of the most commonly prescribed single herbs in Ayurvedic formulary.

Key facts
Botanical nameAegle marmelos (L.) Correa (leaves)
FamilyRutaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSapindales
Also known asAegle marmelos (L.) Correa (leaves), Bilwa Patra, BilwaPatra
Pharmacopoeia statusReferenced in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia; Bilwa Patra is one of the most commonly prescribed single herbs in Ayurvedic formulary
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5421195 · Wikidata Q234126 · NCBI Taxonomy 68527

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishBilwa Patra
Latin/BotanicalAegle marmelos (L.) Correa (leaves)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Aegeline activates PPAR-gamma receptors in adipose and muscle tissue, enhancing insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake, providing the mechanistic basis for hypoglycemic activity
  • Skimmianine and marmesin exhibit antimicrobial activity through inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase and disruption of fungal ergosterol biosynthesis
  • Leaf essential oils (eugenol, cineole) provide anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of COX-2 and LOX enzymes and suppression of NF-kB nuclear translocation

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Hypoglycemic/antidiabetic activity of bael leaves validated through multiple in vivo studies and limited clinical evidence supporting traditional use for Prameha (diabetes) in Ayurveda
  • Antimicrobial and anti-infective properties confirmed in vitro against multiple pathogens, supporting traditional use of leaf paste/decoction for infectious diseases
  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects validated in carrageenan-induced paw edema models, supporting traditional use for Shotha (inflammation) and pain conditions

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

  • Leaf preparations have been used safely in traditional medicine for centuries; in vitro study (2024) confirmed minimal cytotoxicity on human fibroblasts at therapeutic concentrations
  • Aegeline was flagged by FDA in 2013 regarding certain commercial supplements (OxyElite Pro), though this involved synthetic/concentrated forms rather than traditional leaf preparations
  • Leaf decoctions and infusions considered safe at standard Ayurvedic doses; avoid high-dose concentrated extracts during pregnancy

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (leaf powder), Swarasa (fresh leaf juice), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (leaf-infused oil)

Standard Dosage: 3-5g leaf powder twice daily; 10-20ml fresh juice; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg extract capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Leaf coumarins (marmesin, imperatorin) show moderate to good oral bioavailability (35-50%). Skimmianine crosses the blood-brain barrier. Essential oil components (limonene, alpha-phellandrene) are rapidly absorbed. Caution: furanocoumarins can inhibit CYP3A4, potentially altering bioavailability of co-administered drugs. Fresh juice provides highest bioavailability of volatile constituents.

Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach for diabetic support; before meals with honey for respiratory conditions; fresh juice early morning

Standardized Extract: Leaf extract standardized to skimmianine NLT 0.5%; total coumarins NLT 2%; essential oil content NLT 0.5%

Shelf Life: 18 months (leaf powder); 2.5 years (capsule/tablet); 3 days (fresh juice, refrigerated)

Storage: Leaf powder in airtight, light-protected containers. Fresh juice refrigerated. Essential oil in amber glass. Protect from UV light due to furanocoumarins.

Marker Compounds: Skimmianine, Aegeline, Marmesin, Imperatorin, Limonene, Alpha-phellandrene, Eugenol, Cineole, Rutin

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction of dried leaves
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for alkaloid and coumarin enrichment
  • Steam distillation for leaf essential oil
  • Fresh juice expression (Swarasa)
  • Ethanol maceration for research-grade extracts

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Tulsi leaves for respiratory and antipyretic formulations
  • With Neem leaves for antidiabetic synergy
  • With Guduchi for Jwara (fever) management
  • With Karela for blood sugar management

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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Kaur R, Sharma P, Gupta GK and others. 2020. Structure-Activity-Relationship and Mechanistic Insights for Anti-HIV Natural ProductsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 32365518 · doi:10.3390/molecules25092070
  10. Bibak B, Shakeri F, Barreto GE and others. 2019. A review of the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of aurapteneBioFactors (Oxford, England). PMID 31424600 · doi:10.1002/biof.1550
  11. Manandhar B, Paudel KR, Sharma B and others. 2018. Phytochemical profile and pharmacological activity of Aegle marmelos LinnJournal of integrative medicine. PMID 29709412 · doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.04.007
  12. Baliga MS, Thilakchand KR, Rai MP and others. 2013. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Bael) and its phytochemicals in the treatment and prevention of cancerIntegrative cancer therapies. PMID 23089553 · doi:10.1177/1534735412451320

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.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.