Bael- a tree with multiple uses

World health organization has listed over 21000 plant species used around the world for medicinal purposes. Since time immemorial, plants and their products have been the primary resource of food and medicines for mankind. Aegle marmelos (Linn.) commonly known as bael, belongs to Rutaceae family, is a moderate sized, slender and aromatic tree. It has a great mythological significance for Hindus. Utilization of bael in day to day life has great nutritional, environmental as well as commercial importance. Since ancient times, it has been used in traditional system of medicine for relieving constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, peptic ulcer and respiratory infections. Being anti diabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, cardio-protective, anticancer, and radio protective are important medicinal properties of bael. A number of chemical constituents and various therapeutic effects of leaves have been reported. Extensive investigation have been carried out on different parts of bael and as a consequence, varied classes of compound viz. alkaloids, coumarins, terepenoids, fatty acid and amino acids have been isolated from its different parts. The present review deals with general and chemical profile and its economic importance including medicinal and other uses.