The Moringa Tree (Zogale)

Moringa Oleifera – The Miracle Tree

Belonging to the only genus in the family Moringaceae – Moringa, Moringa Oleifera is the most extensively propagated tree of its kind. More commonly known as Moringa, this tree is packed with nutritional value and has a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic properties, which ultimately made many to refer to it as the “miracle tree”. This rapidly-growing and hardy tree is indigenous to the sub-Himalayan regions of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, although it is today widely cultivated in other countries such as Malaysia, Latin America, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. Virtually every part of the Moringa tree is edible or has significant use, making it one of the world’s most useful trees.

What made Moringa Oleifera achieve its worldwide fame is because of its exceptionally potent mix of essential and disease-preventing nutrients, which are unusually better than most other food sources. It is rich in Vitamin A, containing four times the amount found in carrots, and thirteen times the amount found in spinach. Its Vitamin C content is seven times more than that of oranges, has four times the chlorophyll of wheat grass, and four times the amount of calcium in milk. Besides essential amino acids, Moringa is also a rich source of Zinc, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Selenium, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and Vitamin E.

Moringa Oleifera has so many medicinal and industrial applications – the leaves can be used for animal forage, production of biogas, making soups and sauces, and may also be used as a domestic cleaning agent. The wood, though low in quality, can be used to make blue dye. The seeds can be extracted to produce what is known as ben oil, which got its name due to its high concentration of behenic acid. This edible is odorless, has a clear texture, and is comparable to premium oils such as olive oil and sunflower oil as it is very stable and resists rancidity very well. After extracting the seeds of ben oil, the seed cake left makes an excellent fertilizer, or used to purify water by means of flocculation.

Moringa Oleifera is popular among pregnant and breastfeeding women because of its ability to prevent malnutrition, alleviate anemia, increase production of milk, and promote overall health of child. Studies also reveal that Moringa helps in the prevention of Mastitis – a common problem with breastfeeding women in which breasts become inflamed due to the blockage of milk ducts. Moringa has also been known to contain an antibacterial peptide, which is highly effective in combating the infection of Staphylococcus Aureus in breastfeeding women. Moringa leaves can also provide them with a significant amount of calcium, iron, sulfur, copper and B-vitamins.

Indeed, Moringa Oleifera has lived up to its name as the “miracle tree”. With a wide variety of applications from virtually any part of the tree, its versatility is simply one of the best – whether for medicine, cosmetics, culinary, home or industrial use. Today, scientists and medical experts are placing moringa under continuous research and development to unlock other untapped potential it may have.

The possible role of Moringa oleifera in HIV/AIDS supportive treatment.

Burger DJ, Fuglie L, Herzig JW; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. F12423.

University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Aims: To present Moringa powder supplementation as an immune stimulant for HIV+ people, particularly those who cannot afford good nutrition and medicines in Africa.

Introduction: 

70% of all HIV positive people live in sub-Saharan Africa where malnutrition is rife. The collapse of the immune system in an HIV+ individual results in the symptoms of AIDS. It is known that certain elements and vitamins (For example Vit C,E,A elements Zinc, Iron ) can stimulate the immune system and thereby improve the health and lifestyle of an individual for many years. ISSUE: Dried leaf powder from the Moringa oleifera is an excellent nutrient source and can easily supplement basic food intake of African people. Moringa is exceptionally rich in Vit A/[beta] carotene, Vit C, E and key elements including selenium, but also contains almost a full RDA of other nutrients required for a healthy lifestyle. Literature reports support a synergism between Nutrition Acquired Immunodeficiency and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This suggests that enhanced nutrition (such as that which can be achieved via Moringa) could benefit a person with AIDS. The effects of Moringa powder supplementation are currently under investigation in a phase 1 clinical trial of HIV patients at the Medical Faculty, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. RECOMMENDATION: 

Moringa dry leaf powder may be a valuable nutrient for the poor communities of Africa by boosting the immune system to fight infections and thereby enhancing the well-being of HIV+ persons.

Moringa oleifera is a tree which satisfies many nutritional requirements and also works as a medicine for many diseases. This plant is commonly found in areas of Africa as well as in the northern regions of India. Almost every part of this tree can be used for different purposes. Although this tree is a native of Himalayas, but now it can be found in South and Central America, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines, and Africa. This tree is known for providing great nutritional values.

The undeveloped pods of the parts of this plant contain more nutritional values than to the ripped ones. These pods contain vitamins, essential amino acids and other vital nutrients which make these pods very nutritious. These pods can be eaten raw as green beans or green peas. The ripped pods can be cooked or fried and tastes like peanut. These pods have edible, non drying oil which is called Ben Oil. About 38-40% of this Ben Oil is present in these pods. This oil is odorless, sweet, and clear and never becomes sour. The nutrition value of this oil is very much similar to olive oil. The leaves of this tree can be used as salad, greens, pickles, seasonings and in vegetable curries. These leaves are also used in cleaning walls and utensils. The flowers of this tree are enriched with calcium and potassium and are cooked with other food stuff to get a better taste and nutrition value.

Moringa trees are enriched with nutritional values and are the best source for curing malnutrition. The leaves contain vitamin A, B and C along with protein, calcium and iron. A research says that 25 grams of Moringa tree leaf powder can provide about Calcium 125%, Potassium 41%, Protein 42%, Magnesium 61%, Vitamin A 272%, Vitamin C 22% and Iron 71% which is hard to find in any other food stuff.

The seed leftovers which are left after extracting oil from seeds are also used in cleaning water. This is one of the best and natural ways to clean water. Many researchers conclude that different parts of this tree can be used in curing different diseases. According to Ayurveda, about 300 diseases can be cured with the help of various parts of this tree. 

Since this tree provides not only nutritional values but also medicinal help, it would be better to call it a Miracle Tree.

Trees for Life Journal | www.TFLJournal.org

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