What is the importance of Bilva (Bel) leaves in
Ayurveda?
Dr JV Hebbar
Today, we are celebrating one of the biggest festivals of Hinduism, called Shivaratri.
Bilva leaves are loved by God Shiva and we offer them at His holy feet.
In Hinduism, the medical science, culture, religion and spirituality are blended beautifully.
Bael leaves have spiritual and religious significance.
Bilva is called Shiva Druma. Its leaves are offered to Lord Shiva. As per Divine Park, offering of bilva leaf, with its three leaflets symbolizes – offering of “I, mine and ‘because of me’ ” types of ego-centric attitude at the feet
of the God Shiva.
The fresh green leaves offered to the Holy feet with the prayer that "May Your name and memories be ever-green in my mind, forever".
Acharya Charaka explains Bilva leaves in the chapter of Annapana - food and drinks. It means that bilva leaves were used in cooking, 1000s of years before. It also indicates that bilva
leaves, used in the form of powder or herbal tea are well tolerated by the body even in higher doses.
बिल्वपत्रं तु वातनुत्|
bilvapatraṃ tu vātanut| Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 27/107
Bilva leaves Balance down Vata Dosha.
In the treatment of jaundice,
ginger, black pepper and long pepper fruit powders - 1 teaspoon mix is administered along
with
15 ml of Bel leaf juice,
15 ml of juice of Aragwadha (Cassia fistula),
15 ml Amla juice
15 ml of sugarcane juice and
15 ml of Vidari juice (Pueraria tuberosa).
This is administered once or twice a day, on an empty stomach or before food. (Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 16-58,59)
Bel leaves are added with water and boiled. Its steam is used for mild fomentation of eyes to relieve conjunctivitis with excess discharge (Kaphaja Abhishyanda) - Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra, 11/5
तत्पत्रं कफपित्ताभशूलघ्नं ग्राहि रोचनम् ||१५१||
tatpatraṃ kaphapittābhaśūlaghnaṃ grāhi rocanam ||151||- Sodhala Nighantu Guduchyadi Varga, 151
Bilva leaves are useful to relieve pain due to acid peptic disorder and weak digestion strength. Leaves are useful to relieve abdominal colic pain and inflammation associated with Kapha and Pitta aggravation.
पत्रं सङ्ग्राहि वातजित् ||१९||
patraṃ saṅgrāhi vātajit ||19||
Kaiyadeva Nighantu Oshadhi Varga 19
Its leaves are sangrahi - absorb excess water and useful in Irritable bowel syndrome. It helps to improve the size and shape of feces.
In case of muscle pain due to injury, its leaves are made a paste and applied externally.
How to use bel leaves?
In the treatment of headache, its leaves are mixed with lukewarm water, ground and paste is applied over the forehead.
In conjunctivitis, its paste is applied gently over closed eyelids.
Orally, its fresh juice extract is advised in a dose of 10 ml, once or twice a day, before food, for colic pain and IBS
Or its leaf decoction is prepared by boiling 20 grams of leaves in 2 cups of water, boiled and reduced to one cup, filtered and consumed lukewarm.
Read related: Bael Root, Fruit, Leaves, Stem Uses, Research, Remedies, Side Effects
