• What are benefits of Moringa & its lead powder? Why is Moringa considered a Miracle Tree? What is use of Moringa leaves? It grows in arid conditions, needs less water. If exported in large quantities Moringa, Ashwagandha, Triphala can enhance farmer incomes.

I remember the sweet fragrance of Moringa (drumstick tree) flowers blooming white; spreading all over and making the environment soothing and cannot forget the drumstick fruits waving with the wind on the trees in my area. The tree looked truly embellished with beautiful flowers and the dangling fruits.

Am sure most of us love the drumsticks dipped in sambar adding taste to the meal and fun scrapping the pulp. But it’s not only the drum stick fruits that we enjoy. There are the leaves, barks, branches and almost all parts of the tree that are useful for medicinal purposes and can be consumed in food giving livelihood to many communities. 

Moringa has huge commercial value in the form of leaf powder which is beneficial for health. India is the largest producer worldwide.

Besides India it is also found in Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. However, Moringa is native to Northern India and East of Africa.

There are 13 species of this tree but studies are limited to Moringa oleifera, Moringa stenopetala, Moringa concanensis and Moringa peregrina.

Moringa is a fast-growing deciduous tree having delicate and feathery branches, its leaves are dark green and tripinnate typed. Flowers are edible and yellowish white in colour. Their flowering is April to June and the most popular is the fruit having winged seeds which disperses when dried for pollination. It yields in dry and warm conditions.

Popular names other than Moringa are horseradish tree, tree of life, miracle tree and malunggay.

The word moringa is derived from Tamil word murungai which means a twisted pod and the word olifera is derived from a Latin word meaning oil and ferra means to bear. So it means twisted pod bearing oil seeds!

This miracle tree is not usually affected by diseases by insects as it has a very low invasive potential. It’s a sun loving tree and doesn’t require extra irrigation making it very easy for cultivation.

Cuisines

Some Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh use drumsticks in curries and daals (lentil soups) in a traditional way. While the roots have a sharp flavor having polyphenols (compounds) with antioxidants properties helps keep some diseases away. The flowers also are used in Bengali cuisines as fritters which are typically prepared during springtime. And the widely used leaves are also eaten raw along with cooked delicacies like traditionally cooked vegetables, curries and soups.

Moringa to khichdi – desi food habits of PM Modi “Moringa also contains calcium and phosphorus, which help keep bones healthy and strong. It also helps reduce high blood pressure and treat diabetes. PM Modi eats this nutritious paratha twice a week and it plays a major role in keeping him fit and healthy.” See 1 minute video on Moringa by Anjum

Use of Moringa Leaves

Moringa leaves are also dried to preserve the nutrients for long term usage. This powder is commonly used in smoothies, soups, salads and consumed as medicine. Due to its high nutritional value it is also considered as a dietary supplement that is used to beat malnutrition. Seed oil is used in condiment or dressings. Fried seeds are commonly used in Nigeria as snacks.

There are several brands selling moringa herbal tea which is loved by health conscience people. In regular usage we can add leaf powder in rotis, dips-chutneys, pastas-pestos, breads-biscuits & sauces. Are there Health Benefits to Moringa Tea

Medicinal and Commercial value

Moringa is being used in Ayurveda for centuries and was used by Greeks, Romans and Mauryan warriors to get more strength and endurance. It’s cultivated for its oil extraction and water purification which can be processed with pods, leaves and bark. The oil is used as bio-fuel and in making cosmetics for skin and hair.

Edible moringa parts are immature drumstick pods, matured seeds for oil, flowers and leaves being the most nutritious and significant one. All the tree’s parts are used as traditional medicine. Leaf contains nutrients such as calcium, vitamin A & C, beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin B, protein, manganese, irons and phosphorus. Pods contain manganese, fiber, potassium and magnesium. It’s also well known to boost immune system, supports cognition, elevates mood and reduces allergies.

When consumed in different forms Moringa can speed up healing wounds, balances blood glucose, reduces fat, nourishes hair and skin. To add on, seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties treating skin diseases and is used for its anti-ageing benefits as too. Moringa bark and leaf extracts can also prevent cancer as per research. Common health issues like constipation, food poisoning, ulcers and digestive issues can be treated by consuming leaves. Moringa is also said to treat nervous system disorders, asthma, weight loss and depression.

There are many brands of moringa powder available in the market, do research and choose product wisely before consuming.

However, clinical permissions are required before you start consuming Moringa powder. So please consult a doctor for better results as each body reacts differently and is subject to allergies. Usually, leaves are considered safe to consume but roots and barks can be unsafe if the dosage is not known.  

Additionally, if taken along with some medicines can cause some side effects. So please consult your doctor before using.

Agricultural and community benefits

As per the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland), Moringa tree is beneficial for honey production as it blooms for a long period of the year as compared to other trees. This makes it suitable for bees to extract nectar.

Additionally, Moringa leaves are used extensively as a forage for livestock improving nutrition of the animals. Infants, nursing mothers and patients are given Moringa leaves to combat malnutrition.

As Moringa grows in arid and semi-arid geographic conditions, it is easy to cultivate in many areas thereby providing food the year round.  

Nearly 140 organizations worldwide have initiated cultivation programs of moringa to reduce malnutrition, purify water and use oil for cooking purposes.

Besides all these uses Moringa leaves also have detergent and antiseptic properties so they can be used as soap to wash hands. Moringa seeds when pressed into a cake helps in dewatering and can provide potable water for humans and animals with flocculation procedures as the seed cake has potential to remove impurities from water. It is also said to be useful in drying feacal sludge in septic tanks processes.

Conclusion

To conclude, we have seen a wide array of benefits of this common Moringa tree which is easily spotted on roads and gardens, but we seldom know how valuable is India`s biodiversity and we are blessed to have so many indigenous trees available on our revered soils.

Next time you take a walk check which trees are around in your area and read about them, am sure you will be surprised to know about it and its uses as I am always amazed reading upon… Indian Forestry is a huge treasure of knowledge and it always has abundance to offer and serve us.

References

1. Healthline.com

2. Wikipedia

3. Medicalnewstoday.com 

4. Webmd.com

5. Health Benefits of Moringa – goodhousekeeping.com

Read  Ashwagandha is the new gold rush for Indian farmers “India is the top producer, exporter of Ashwagandha, with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan racing ahead, says Ayush.” Read Efficacy of ASHWAGANDHA in improving cardio respiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults And Eye care in Ayurveda