#BaelFruit

In bustling markets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, glistening wheels of dried bael fruit nestle among fresh herbs, offering a familiar comfort to Thai shoppers. Known as “มะตูม” (ma-toom), this spiny-leaved tree has graced temple grounds and family kitchens for centuries. But while ma-toom is cherished in Thai wells of folk wisdom for soothing the stomach and nurturing the spirit, it is now gaining recognition among scientists and health-conscious Thais for its potent bioactive properties. The emerging story of bael, from sacred symbol and household remedy to subject of pharmacological research, reflects the dynamic ongoing dialogue between tradition and evidence-based medicine – a balance crucial to the future of Thai wellness.