Bael fruit

The genus Aegle is one of the three monotypic general with deciduous leaves (Poncirus and Feronia are the other two) in the orange subfamily Aurantioideae.

Bael fruit is very hardy, subtropical, deciduous tree that can thrive in various soil-climatic conditions and can tolerates alkaline soil, and is not injured by temperatures as low as -7 ° C. The fruit is usually harvested when the peel turns yellowish green and the stem separates easily from the fruit.

Bael pulp is commonly eaten fresh after removal of mucilaginous seed or made onto sherbet and beverages; however it is also made into syrup and toffee.

Beating the seeded pulp together with milk and sugar makes a popular drink called sherbet in India.

Bael fruit has been widely from time immemorial for processing in the mature green form to prepare preserves. In order to prepare preserves, the hard rind of the fruit is removed by a special strong knife.

The fruit’s medicinal value is very high when it just begins to ripen. The fruit is aromatic, cooling and laxative. It arrests secretion or bleeding.

The unripe of half-ripe fruit is good for digestion. It is useful in preventing or curing scurvy. It also strengthens the stomach and promotes its action.
Bael fruit

What are blueberries good for?

Blueberries (family, Ericaceae; genus, Vaccinium) are indigenous to North America. The Vaccinium genus consists of many species, which have edible fruits.

Like bilberry (V. myrtillus), cranberry (V. macrocarpon), lingonberry (V. oxycoccus), and huckleberry (V. ovatum and V. vaccillans), blueberries are valued fruits.

Native American enjoyed fresh blueberries and also dried them for use with other foods. They are believed to use blueberry roots and leaves as medicine.

A tea made from blueberry leaves was considered good for blood and blueberry juice was used to treat cough.

These early insights and experiences about health benefits of blueberries are now being corroborated. Experts showed that blueberry leaves have higher phenolic and antioxidants values than the fruit tissues. In laboratory studies, dried extract of blueberries having high antioxidants reversed signs of aging.

Other studies have shown that specific wild blueberry extracts may have anti-adhesion and chemopreventive properties.

Thus, the blueberries are emerging as a functional fruit for improving health and quality of life.
What are blueberries good for?