Bals are hard-shelled fruits that are used in many different culinary and medicinal applications. Bals can also be known as nuts, seeds, or kernels. Some synonyms for bals include the term nutmeat, which refers specifically to the edible portion of the nut or seed. Another term that can be used interchangeably with bals is the word kernel, which refers to a similar component. Other synonyms for bals include the terms pit, stone, or shell, which all refer to the external covering that must be removed in order to access the edible portion of the bals. Regardless of the terminology used, bals remain a versatile and essential ingredient in many different foods and herbal remedies.