Bael (Aegle marmelos)

Aegle marmelos, commonly known as bael or Indian bael, is a deciduous tree in the Rutaceae family. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it is cultivated for its hard-shelled, aromatic fruits, which are consumed fresh, dried, or processed into juices, jams, and traditional herbal preparations. Traditionally, various parts of the tree—including fruits, leaves, bark, and roots—have been used in folk medicine for their digestive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. With its nutritional, medicinal, and cultural significance, Aegle marmelos remains an important species in tropical and subtropical regions.