Biochemists are calling Moringa the most nutrient-rich plant on the planet. They say that "with complex range of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other important
phytonutrients (plant nutrients), Moringa is a rare powerhouse of nutrition."
Monica G. Marcu, PhD, Pharm.D., author of Miracle Tree says that "Among all the plants I know I cannot think of a more nutritious one than Moringa. And while I am definitely supporting a diet including a wide variety of plants, mostly un-cooked (in order to preserve the activity of enzymes, vitamins and phytochemicals), I believe that Moringa (leaves, pods, fruits) should be used as often as possible. One plant has it all! One-stop nutrients supply with few calories or salt."
The Leaves: Nutrition & Medicine
Moringa Leaves are full of essential disease-preventing nutrients
- Vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases.
- Vitamin C, fighting a host of illnesses including colds and flu.
- Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis.
- Potassium, essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.
- Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells.
The Pods: Nutrition & Medicine
The young green pods also known as "drumsticks" are highly nutritious containing all the essential amino acids.
- If eaten raw, pods act as a de-wormer, treat liver and spleen problems and lessens joint pains
- Due to high protein and fibre content they play a useful part in treating malnutrition and diarrehea.
- It is generally prepared in a similar fashion to green beans and have a slight asparagus taste.
- Tender drumstick leaves, finely chopped, make an excellent garnish for any vegetable dishes, dals, sambars, salads, etc.
- It is primarily utilised worldwide by the Asian population as a vegetable but its other usage is increasing
The Roots,Bark & Gum: Medicine
Used for their antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties more concentrated than that of the seeds.
- The roots and bark are pounded and mixed with salt to make a poultice for treating rheumatism and joint pains
- It is also used for cardiac and circulatory problems, as a tonic and for inflammation.
- The alkaloid spirachin (a nerve paralysant) has been found in the roots.
- The gum is diuretic, astringent and abortifacient and is used against asthma
- The bark produces a sappy gum that can be used in cooking and food preservation
The Flowers:Medicine
The Moringa Tree takes about 8 months to a year to flower and continues flowering all year round in ideal conditions. The flowers are pleasantly fragranced, white or cream coloured and are borne profusely in axilliary drooping panicles 10-25 cm long.
- They contain good amounts of both calcium and potassium.
- Flower juice improves the quality and flow of mothers’ milk when breast feeding.
- Flower juice is useful for urinary problems as it encourages urination.
- In Haiti, villagers boil Moringa flowers in water and drink the tea as a powerful cold remedy.
- They can be eaten raw in salads or cooked. When cooked they have a taste similar to mushrooms.
The Seeds: Medicine Oil, Water Purifyer
The seeds contain 40% edible oil which is called Ben Oil (from the high concentration of behenic acid contained in the oil).
- The oil is highly nutritious and has a fat composition similar to Olive Oil. As with any vegetable oil, Moringa oil is best used raw and not heated. Heating damages the molecular structure of the fats in a similar way to Hydrogenation,
- The oil contains a potent anti-oxidant which makes it highly resistant to rancidity.
- Including Ben Oil in the diet will ensure the supply of many essential fatty acids which are utilised by the body to construct cellular membranes and other structures.
- The seeds when roasted, pounded, mixed with coconut oil can be effective against skin-infecting bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They contain the potent antibiotic and fungicide terygospermin
- Roasted seeds and oil can encourage urination.
- May also be used as a relaxant for epilepsy.
Moringa seeds make excellent water purifiers.
- The seeds are ground into a powder and the powder is used as a flocculant working as well or better than the expensive, toxic and environmentally harmful aluminium sulphate which many municipalities use to remove particles from the water.
- The Moringa seed powder flocculant joins with the particles and they sink to the bottom. Between 90 and 99% of the bacteria are removed in the same way.
- About 5 tablespoons of seed powder will purify 10 litres of water.
- It is believed that this flocculant effect takes place in the body as well, making the Moringa an excellent detoxifier
MORINGA (Malunggay Philippines)
