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How does it feel?
Bilva is a deciduous tree that can grow to heights of up to 8 metres. The branches have sharp spines and the flowers are a greenish-white colouring with a very sweet scent. The fruits are a large, greenish-white colour with a very tough and woody outer coating. Bilva trees will commonly grow in the Himalayas up to altitudes of 1200m.
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What can I use it for?
Bilva is regarded as a tonic for a weak digestive system, particularly where there has been damage to the digestive tract. The essential oils found in the plant have demonstrated strong anti-microbial activity, with an affinity for bacterial and yeast based infections. Extracts of bilva derived from the plantâs root also encourage a healthy inflammation response in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly within the digestive tract.
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Into the heart of Bilva
Bilva is a key digestive herb with astringent, carminative and rejuvenating actions on the digestive tract. Its natural astringency has made bilva a popular choice in treating diarrhoea and digestive conditions characterised by excess moisture and water. As bilva demonstrates anti-bacterial actions, it is excellent for bacillary dysentery or acute infection of the digestive tract that has resulted in a watery diarrhoea. The rejuvenative action of bilva on the digestive mucosa encourages cellular healing and regeneration of damaged cells where there has been ulceration or damage from chronic illness.
Bilva is a naturally bitter plant; the bitter components stimulate digestive metabolism and can help to relieve any digestive congestion that may be influencing the onset of spasmodic cramping, nausea or general digestive sensitivity. In larger quantities, it may display a laxative action, but at the right dosage, bilva can help alleviate chronic congestion and prevent the build-up of any toxicity in the digestive tract.
Bilva is specifically indicated in chronic IBS, diarrhoea, dysentery and malabsorption that manifests as long-term imbalances with âmucusyâ and watery stools. Its astringency checks the excessive downwards movement of vata. It also dries the excess mucus and toxicity that comes with high kapha aggravations. It is a good choice where there may be ulceration and inflammation of the mucus membranes in the intestines as present in ulcers, colitis, and Crohnâs disease.
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Traditional actions
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Traditional Energetic actions
Herbal energetics are the descriptions Herbalists have given to plants, mushrooms, lichens, foods, and some minerals based on the direct experience of how they taste, feel, and work in the body. All traditional health systems use these principles to explain how the environment we live in and absorb, impacts our health. Find out more about traditional energetic actions in our article “An introduction to herbal energetics“.
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Did you know?
The ripe fruit, often referred to as bael, is traditionally eaten fresh and combined with sugar and tamarind as a cooling and refreshing drink. It is also an ingredient found in Indian jams. This root is one of the ingredients in the famous Ayurvedic âDashmoolaâ formula.
Additional information
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Safety
No drug herb interactions are known.
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Dosage
1â12g/day dried fruit powder or 50â100ml of the fresh fruit juice. 5-15ml/day of a 1:3 at 25% tincture