Abstract

REVIEW OF BILVA (AEGLE MARMELOS) W.S.R. TO CHARAKA SAMHITA

Dr. Shraddha Dhanavant Patil* and Dr. Jyoti B. Gavali*

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda, an ancient traditional system of medicine is extremely rich in comprehensive information about human health. Charaka Samhita comes under Brihattrayi which has an excellent compilation of physical disorders and the use of natural medications to cure them. Bilva is one of them which is commonly available and it can be used to treat a variety of ailments like Atisara, Pravahika, Gulma, Arsha, Grahani, Parshwashoola etc. Bilva is botanically known as Aegle marmelos. It is a plant indigenous to India which has been used by the inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent for over 5000years. The leaves, bark, roots, fruits and seeds are used extensively in the Indian traditional system of medicine to treat various ailments. Scientific studies have validated many of the medicinal uses that the fruit possesses broad range of therapeutic effects that includes antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, gastroprotective, anti-ulcerative colitis, etc. In this article, the review of indications of bilva from Charaka Samhita in different diseases, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of the bael fruit is discussed.

Keywords: Bilva, Aegle marmelos, Charaka Samhita.