Bael (Aegle marmelos) Extraordinary Species of India: A Review

Bael, Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa ex Roxb., belonging to family rutaceae is a medium sized tree of Indian origin found upto an altitude of 1200 meter. Various parts of this versatile tree species such as leaves, roots, seed, bark and fruit etc contain a large number of coumarins, alkaloids, sterols and essential oils hence, possess anti-microfilarial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, hypoglycaemic, antidyslipidemic, immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, wound healing, anti-fertility, and insecticidal abilities. The fruits are also used to prepare a large number of by products such as candy, panjiri, toffee, jam etc with help of various post harvest technologies which also helps to reduce the post harvest losses and hence increases the shelf life which further helps in value addition and in generation a good income for a needy farmer.