Moringa Tree/ Drumstick Tree

Moringa oleifera or commonly known as drumstick tree is a plant that is native to the sub-Himalayan areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is also grown in the tropics. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree.

NUTRIENT

Moringa oleifera leaf (raw)

Energy  Carbohydrates Dietary fiber      Fat Protein Vitamins Vitamin A equiv. (47%) Thiamine (B1)    (22%) Riboflavin (B2)   (55%) Niacin (B3)          (15%) Pantothenic acid (B5) Vitamin B6          (92%) Folate (B9)          (10%) Vitamin C            (62%) Trace metals Calcium             (19%) Iron                    (31%) Magnesium        (41%) Manganese         (17%) Phosphorus         (16%) Potassium           (7%) Sodium               (1%) Zinc                     (6%) Other constituents Water   Source: USDA Nutrient Database

64 kcal (270 kJ) 8.28 g 2.0 g 1.40 g 9.40 g 378 μg 0.257 mg 0.660 mg 2.220 mg 0.125 mg 1.200 mg 40 μg 51.7 mg 185 mg 4.00 mg 147 mg 0.36 mg 112 mg 337 mg 9 mg 0.6 mg 78.66 g

Moringa is famous as a "natural nutrition for the tropics” and moringa leaf powder is given in situations where starvation is prominent. Moringa is an important food source in some parts of the world because it can be grown cheaply and easily, and the leaves retain lots of vitamins and minerals when dried. Moringa is used in India and Africa in feeding programs to fight malnutrition. Moringa have been used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers.

Moringa is especially promising as a food and very well utilized in the tropics because the tree is in full leaf at the end of the dry season when other foods are typically scarce. It can also be used for water purification and hand washing, and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.

Moringa is also used to reduce swelling, increase sex drive (as an aphrodisiac), boost the immune system, and increase breast milk production. Some people use it as a nutritional supplement or tonic.

Moringa is sometimes applied directly to the skin as a germ-killer or drying agent (astringent). It is also used topically for treating pockets of infection (abscesses), athlete’s foot, dandruff, gum disease (gingivitis), snakebites, warts, and wounds.

Oil from moringa seeds is used in foods, perfume, and hair care products, and as a machine lubricant.

The immature green pods (drumsticks) are prepared similarly to green beans, while the seeds are removed from more mature pods and cooked like peas or roasted like nuts. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach, and they are also dried and powdered for use as a condiment.

The seed cake remaining after oil extraction is used as a fertilizer and also to purify well water and to remove salt from sea water. 

There there... fed your brain? Now feed yourself..Include this beneficial food in your diet! :)

Post by Chaya Rnasinghe