The Wonders of Moringa

Commonly known as the drumstick tree.  Moringa is believed to be a wonder plant.  A plant that usually grows on dry, tropical land that hardly needs maintenance while growing.  Its nutritional benefit can be found from its roots up to its leaves, flowers, fruit and stems making most part of the tree edible.   The leaves alone of the moringa plant are full of nutrients that set it apart from other plants.

Moringa as a medicinal plant.

In Southeast Asia where it commonly grows it is also regarded as an ayurvedic and medicinal plant. Below are some of its many medical attributes:

• Apply a poultice of fresh moringa leaves in the affected area of a shallow wound cut and the bleeding will stop.
• It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on wounds.
• It has anti-fungal effects on skin.
• The tea leaf is great for treatment of gastric ulcers and diarrhea.
• The leaves which is a rich source of iron is recommended for treating anemia.
• The powdered and ground seeds of the moringa is used as treatment for scurvy skin diseases.
• If the leaves are rubbed against the temple, it can relieve headaches.
• It is an effective remedy to stop bleedings on shallow wound cuts.
• The antioxidant contained in moringa can enhance healing of diabetes-related lesions.
• Moringa says to contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants necessary to fight against free radicals in our body.
• It also contains chemical compounds that can potentially combat epithelial ovarian cancer and other types of cancer.
• Some medical studies reveal that the root extracts of the moringa can help to reduce or eliminate kidney stones.

Although edible the root contains alkaloid that has nerve-paralyzing properties thus necessary precaution is given for over consumption.  However, its usage n the treatment of rheumatism, lower back pain and kidney pain seems beneficial.

Moringa as a healthy packed food. 

Here are moringa’s nutritional components as compared to other common food:

Moringa is a nutrient power packed food that contains Vitamins B1, B2, B12, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, protein and potassium.  These nutrients combined with small meal amount containing carbohydrates can stimulate production of insulin specifically needed by most diabetic patients.  The overall effect of the nutrients and antioxidant properties of the moringa basically helps a diabetic patient to control their blood glucose level.

Moringa as excellent purifying agent and consumer product additives.

The seed is an excellent alternative to purify water which can remove dirt and harmful bacteria present in most ground water.  The oil derived from the seeds of the moringa can also serve as additives on perfumes, shampoo, soap and other skin care products because it is said to contain four times more collagen than carrots.

Moringa in recipes and dishes.

• For the conscious diet individuals, the flower of moringa is a hearty salad ingredient and a healthy snack alternative.  The dried leaves of the moringa when dried can be made into a revitalizing delicious tea. The roots which resembles that of a horseradish and are often used as condiment.  The fruit and the leaves are used as ingredients on a number of popular dishes in Southeast Asia.

The finely ground dried leaves are becoming an added nutritional ingredient of local breads and cakes like the ‘malunggay’ pandesal, burger patty with malunggay, pizza with moringa leaves as topping, ground moringa leaves on rice cakes, ground moringa leaves on shakes and smoothies.  The finely ground dried leaves are also becoming popular blended ingredients on coffee and other beverages.  In India and the Philippines the leaves are popular ingredient in the moringaleaves poriyal, chicken soup with moringa leaves, sautéed moringa fruit pods and leaves.

Many NGOs all over the world have advocated moringa as a natural nutrition food particularly referring to the moringa leaf.  The health benefit of this tree starting from the roots unto its leaves, fruit and flowers are undisputably beneficial making this tree a wonder plant.  But unknown to many and because not many people are fond of eating vegetables.  The many benefits of  moringa is still largely untapped.  With the many beneficial traits attributed to this plant, people should highly consider its nutritional value and make this plant a part of their food lists.  Moringa is not just a nourishing food it’s a wonder plant that cures many of man’s diseases caused by unhealthy food and eating patterns.  It’s high time this wonderful plant nourish us with its luscious bounty of nutrients.  A plant that is not so hard to grow and cultivate and can grow as we get busy with other things in life.  A tree that we hardly notice, the wonder plant called…moringa.