The bael tree is a subtropical tree that is very indigenous to India. Its normally found near temples as its leaves are used as an offering to gods. The Bael fruit is becoming very popular because of its perecived medicinal benefits.

Cultivation of the bael fruit is beginning in parts of the world where the fruit is still rare and not well known. Bael fruit tea and bael fruit supplements are now available in some groceries and pharmacies.

Its medicinal benefits are many, as our age old Ayurveda's have discovered. Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian Subcontinent and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine.

Bael tree uses have been passed down for generations. All parts of the tree including the stem, root, leaves, bark and fruit are used as traditional medicine.

It's excellent for cleansing and toning the intestines and helps in evacuating old collected faecal contents from the bowels. A mixture of the unripe fruit along with some ginger and fennel is a supposed cure for haemorrhoids. The juice extracted from its leaves and given with honey reduces fever and catarrh. The leaves, roots and bark can treat snakebites.

This plant has antibiotic properties. The leaves are used as a hot poultice to soothe inflammations. It is considered helpful in the treatment of Vitiligo. Women can have abortions and even become sterile with a potent mixture of its leaves.

It has a high content of tannin that makes it very useful for curing dysentery and cholera.

A good way to say goodbye to coughs and colds is to take sesame oil. Heat well with some black pepper and black cumin. To this mixture add juice from bael leaves.

That should see you through winters!

But first you need to go bael hunting!