Moringa Oleifera is an amazingly generous tree! Originating in India, it is today grown in many places around the world including Nigeria.
The Moringa genus is the only member of the Moringaceae family, and it encompasses a wide range of plants, including flowering herbs and trees.
The best known species within the genus is Moringa oleifera, commonly known as Horseradish tree, Benzolive, Kelor or Drumstick tree; the latter name is because of the drumstick-like shape of the long, curved seed pods characteristic of this species.
This tree is native to the area surrounding the Himalayas in India but can grow anywhere in tropical and semi-arid climates. It grows to about ten meters in height and produces leaves and pods even when water supplies are scarce, allowing it to thrive in arid climates where few other plants can survive.
Best known for its exceptional usefulness as a food and medicinal plant, nearly every part of Moringa oleifera can be used in one way or another to benefit humans and provide food and other valuable materials for farming and fuel needs.
Almost all parts of the Moringa tree are used as food, natural medicine & cosmetics,
What else do you need when you have solution to
food,
natural medicine &
cosmetics in your hand.
Read more about Moringa oleifera:
1. An abundant source of food
2. The superior nutritional value of Moringa oleifera
3. Moringa as a valuable traditional medicine tool
4. Modern medical applications of Moringa
5. Water purification with Moringa oleifera seeds
6. Bio-fuel applications of Moringa oleifera
7. Agricultural applications of Moringa oleifera
8. Current Moringa throughout the world
An abundant source of food
The
pods and leaves of Moringa trees are used for food in numerous cultures
throughout the world. First cultivated in Northern India, it was
incorporated into a number of religious and cultural observances, some
of which continue to this day.
Oil derived from the seeds of the Moringa
was used as food and in unguents by the ancient Greeks, Romans and
Egyptians and were part of the Ayurvedic health diet in India. The
tree’s hardy nature and multitude of uses has led to its cultivation
Moringa with Chickpeasn in many areas including the West Indies, where
it is a valuable source of food and oil products. The leaves, flowers
and seed pods of the tree are highly nutritional and provide a number of
necessary nutrients, including protein, beta carotene, calcium and
Vitamin C.
Because Moringa tree can be grown in a wide range of
climates and requires little water in order to produce leaves, pods and
flowers, it is well suited to provide nutrition in areas of the world
where food is scarce, including Asia and Africa. Every part of the tree
can be consumed or used by either humans or animals, making it even more
useful for combating malnutrition in these areas of the world.
This
is especially important for young children, pregnant women and
lactating mothers who require additional nutritional support during
these critical formative stages. The calcium and other nutrients
available in the plant products offer solid food value at a minimal cost
for these high-risk individuals. A number of organizations also
recommend the plant as a food source for AIDS patients, who may require
additional vitamin and mineral supplements to remain relatively healthy
due to their weakened immune systems.
The superior nutritional value of Moringa oleifera
One
great advantage of the Moringa tree in providing food for
undernourished populations is the exceptional shelf life of the foods
provided. The leaves of the tree can be used fresh, cooked in the same
way as spinach or dried and stored for months without requiring
refrigeration. Fresh pods are known as drumsticks and are often served
in much the same way as green beans; they typically are described as
having a taste somewhat similar to asparagus. Dried leaves can be
stirred into a sauce or consumed on their own depending on available
dietary options.
The dried leaves retain all or nearly all of their nutritional value, allowing storage even in tropical conditions.
The
leaves and seed pods are excellent botanical sources of protein, a
nutrient that is often in short supply in developing regions.
The
protein present in the leaves is highly digestible and can be used as a
supplemental food for infants; because the tree continues to bear leaves
even at the end of the dry season, it is especially well suited to
serve as a food source in semi-arid conditions like those found in much
of Africa.
The fresh leaves are an outstanding source of Vitamin C,
while the dried leaf powder offers a more concentrated version of the
same nutrients including about ten times the Vitamin A available from
fresh carrots. Other vitamins and minerals present in the plant
leaves and seed pods include high concentrations of calcium, iron,
potassium, magnesium and the B vitamins. Even in areas where food is
relatively abundant, the exceptional nutritional content of these plants
and seeds have led to their use in complete vitamin and mineral
supplements.
Moringa as a valuable traditional medicine tool
Moringa
leaves, pods and roots have been used for centuries in Ayurveda
treatments. Ayurveda tradition says that the plant offers remedies for
300 different conditions; as a result, its leaves and pods have been
used in traditional Indian medical practices for anemia, high and low
blood pressure, blood disorders, skin blemishes, fever and many other
ailments.
It has even been used to treat bronchitis and other
respiratory disorders, as well as tuberculosis and cholera. Many
Ayurvedic practitioners recommend a tonic of the leaves for liver
disorders and childbirth discomfort, since a natural antibiotic action
is present in the chemical components present in the leaves and seeds.
Additionally,
oil pressed from the seeds is used as a topical application for a
variety of skin and muscle ailments. Moringa decoctions have also been
used to treat intestinal worms and a variety of intimate ailments.
In
traditional and Ayurvedic medicine, the plant has also been used to
treat eye and ear infections, diarrhea, joint pain, hysteria and
glandular disorders and is considered to be a preventative measure for a
number of different types of cancer, especially skin cancers and
cancers of the digestive or glandular systems. It is also used to treat
certain cancers after they manifest themselves.
Modern medical applications of Moringa
Long
overlooked by the medical establishment, the medical benefits of
Moringa have only recently been explored in the scientific setting.
A
number of recent studies have shown evidence that the plant is useful
in boosting the levels of certain antioxidant enzymes within the body
and reducing the overall level of toxic substances retained in body
tissue; this may reduce the risk of cancer in individuals who include
this versatile plant in their daily diet.
The plants contain a
compound called pterygospermin that contains a powerful natural
antibiotic and antimicrobial substance known as benzyl isothiocyanate.
This
antibiotic has been proven effective against Helicobacter pylori, one
of the most pervasive microbial threats to residents of poverty stricken
areas around the globe. Helicobacter pylori can cause gastritis and may
be responsible for duodenal and gastric ulcerations, as well as gastric
cancer. Benzyl isothiocyanate acts as a near-specific antibiotic
counter to this microbe and can help to protect against the microbe’s
negative effects on the body even at low dosages. Additionally, a
study conducted by Bharali, Tabassum and Azad and published in the Asian
Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention in 2003 showed a correlation
between ingestion of benzyl isothiocyanate compounds and a reduction in
skin cancer growths in mice.
While further research is needed, the
evidence for the pharmaceutical benefits of Moringa plant compounds
continues to mount with further research.
Water purification with Moringa oleifera seeds
Another
use for the seed pods of the Moringa tree is in water purification and
treatment processes. The crushed seeds serve as a coagulant that
attracts suspended particles in the water and allows them to settle to
the bottom, leaving pure, clean water at the top of the treatment
container. The process requires mature seed pods rather than the
immature ones preferred for cooking purposes. The seeds are removed from
the shell and the seed coats are removed; any discolored or misshapen
seeds are discarded during this phase, leaving relatively uniform seed
kernels.
The seeds are crushed and mixed with water to create a
paste; this paste is then mixed and thoroughly shaken together with a
larger quantity of water to produce a solution. The solution is filtered
through cloth or mesh and then mixed together with the water to be
treated.
The coagulant properties of the crushed seeds allow this
solution to attract the particulate matter suspended in the dirty water
and to move it safely to the bottom allowing the pure water to be
removed from the top; the purification process requires at least two
hours for full effectiveness. Because these seeds are safe and nontoxic,
the water is ready for use right away rather than requiring a secondary
course of purification.
One kernel typically can treat up to one
liter of the dirtiest water, making this an economically sound means of
water purification for distant areas. One drawback of the method is that
if the water is left undisturbed for too long, secondary contamination
can occur, especially if the water is left uncovered. This form of water
treatment does not remove all impurities and should typically only be
used in cases where the water supply is presumed to be free of chemical
or biological contamination. Water purification is considered to be one
of the most important functions of the plant because shortages of fresh,
pure water are increasingly worrisome in locations all around the
world.
This new method of purification can produce wholesome
drinking water even in isolated or technologically disadvantaged areas
of the world.
Bio-fuel applications of Moringa oleifera
Moringa
seed pod oil can also be used to produce bio-diesel for commercial and
industrial applications. While Atrophy continues to dominate the
bio-diesel marketplace, a number of companies are exploring the
potential of Moringa seed pod oil in this regard. Jatropha oil has a
number of drawbacks, including the toxic nature of the product itself;
the Jatropha plant produces less oil per acre than the Moringa plant and
requires alkaline soils for best results; additionally, the oil and the
plant are mildly poisonous and must be handled carefully in order to
protect those who come in contact with them.
By contrast, the oil
produced from the Moringa plant meets the standards required in order to
be considered suitable for bio-diesel applications, which include an
appropriate cetane index number to ensure solid ignition, a superior
iodine number for fuel stability and a solid cold filter plugging point
for use in colder climates.
The oil pressed from the seed pods meets
the applicable ASTM standards for these criteria. Ironically, one
factor that has discouraged companies from making use of the oil in
bio-diesel production is the overall usefulness of the plant in food
production. Many companies prefer to use plant material that is not also
useful for food, allowing a larger percentage of the population to
benefit from the plant. However, a number of smaller companies are
exploring the usefulness of the plant in producing bio-diesel;
especially in the Philippines, the hardy nature of the Moringa plant and
the abundance of seed pod materials could provide a steady source of
income for farmers and an added source of renewable, green fuel for
generations of drivers and a large number of commercial and industrial
needs. One major advantage of the tree over other bio-diesel fuels is
that no part is wasted; the crushed seed kernels and other parts of the
plant can be ground up and used as animal fodder in nearly all cases.
Bio-diesel applications may offer financial hope for poverty-stricken
communities and provide income streams that can help them improve
services and conditions to enhance the quality of life in even the most
underdeveloped and technologically backwards environments.
Agricultural applications of Moringa oleifera
Moringa
has a number of agricultural uses as well. The leaves, stems and seed
pods can be used as fodder or as forage material for cattle. Studies and
field tests by the BIOMASA agricultural research project in Nicaragua
have shown that the plant can be readily grown as a field crop and can
survive for several years in that environment, allowing repeated harvest
of the various parts of the plant from only one planting.
Researchers
Nikolaus and Gabriele Foidl found that supplementing regular cattle
feed with leaves and seed pods from the plant can increase the milk
production of cattle by as much as 65 percent. Additionally, cattle that
consume the plant as part of their daily diets typically experience
increased weight gain; studies have shown as much as 32 percent more
daily weight gain for cattle that consume the plant over those that do
not. The plant is also useful as a fertilizer for other plants; a study
published in the International Journal of Agriculture & Biology in
2010 showed improved germination rates and faster germination in beans,
cowpeas and groundnuts. Another study conducted by Makkar and Becker in
1996 showed similar results and increased yields for crops sprayed with a
solution including the extract of the Moringa plant.
While much
research remains to be done, the evidence seems to suggest that, when
used in conjunction with the regular regimen of fertilizers and growth
stimulants, the quantity and quality of almost any crop can be
significantly improved by a treatment of this extract.
One of the
most common uses of the tree, however, is as a free-range forage plant
for cattle and other livestock; because the tree retains its leaves even
at the height of the dry season, it is especially suited to provide a
year-round food supply for free-range cattle. The high protein content
in the plant makes it a favored source of food for livestock; anecdotal
reports indicate that cattle often seek out the plant in preference to
other types of forage plants in the area.
The phytochemicals
contained in the oil can also be used to control insect infestations.
The study Larvicidal and Repellent Potential of Moringa oleifera against
Malarial Vector, Anopheles Stephensi Liston outlined the advantages of
this extract against mosquitoes, a major threat to health in various
areas of the world because of the diseases transmitted by these insects.
The extract was shown to be effective at breaking the transmission
vector by repelling the insects from the immediate or surrounding area
and killing larva that can spread malaria and other diseases.
Current Moringa throughout the world
Over
140 organizations have developed initiatives to introduce these useful
and beneficial plants into communities throughout the world to help
combat malnutrition, enhance the purity of water and to produce cooking
and bio-diesel oil to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
The
United Nations World Food Programme has expressed its interest in the
food production potential of the tree, as have the U.S. Agency for
International Development, German Development Services and the British
Overseas Development Agency. Religious organizations that support the
use of the Moringa plant to combat malnutrition include the Catholic
Development Committee, the Church World Service, the U.S. National
Council of Churches and World Vision. The Imagine Rural Development
Initiative in Zambia in conjunction with the U.N. has provided seedling
trays to numerous small communities within Zambia in order to help
establish the plant in this habitat and to provide additional nutrition
to those without easy access to clean water and adequate food.
The
Trees for Life Moringa Project is intended to provide smaller
communities throughout the world with these trees in order to combat
malnutrition, provide fresh drinking water and offer hope for income
streams in the future from bio-diesel and other applications. Many of
these initiatives center on areas of rural Africa, since the climate and
the conditions there are ideal for the trees and for the benefits they
can bring to developing countries and small communities in the region.
The
Moringa tree can be used in a wide variety of ways to improve the lives
of needy individuals in tropical and semi-arid environments throughout
the world. Some experts have expressed concern that the tree may act as
an exotic invasive and take over certain areas and ecosystems; however,
the evidence suggests that this is unlikely because of the appeal that
the leaves, stems and seed pods have for indigenous animals and birds.
The
seed pods typically remain close to the tree from which they have
fallen unless they are deliberately collected and planted; this reduces
the likelihood that these trees will spread far from their original
planting location.
These versatile plants can provide a stable,
reliable source of food even in drier climates; additionally, the high
protein and nutritional content offers superior nutritional value for
areas where other forms of protein and amino acids are difficult to
obtain.
In remote communities where medical supplies and support are
at a premium, the pharmaceutical qualities of the seed pods and leaves
can prove invaluable in treating and providing rapid responses to
developing health problems, while even technologically advanced
societies can benefit from the antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of
the enzymes contained in the leaves and stems. Because the leaves
retain much of their nutritional value even after being dried and stored
for a prolonged period, they can be preserved for significant periods
of time without modern refrigeration methods.
These qualities make
the Moringa tree one of the most important tools in international
efforts to promote the health and well-being of less developed nations
and small rural communities in India, Africa and South America and
throughout the world.