Have you ever heard of Moringa?
Its a very popular plant because of its huge health benefits. It sometime called the Tree of Life, considered as a Superfood, one of the most nutrients-rich plant in the world. Moringa Oleifera also known as Horseradish Tree, Drumstick Tree, Malungay, Marango, Benzoil Tree and various name in other regions.
History
Moringa was documented as a medicinal herb in India around 2000 BC where it is originated, and humans help spread it across the equatorial regions all around the world. Today you can find it almost everywhere across the globe.
According to the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the plants can be found all across India, Africa, China, South East Asia, Latin America, the Carribean, Pasific Islands and even in Florida, USA.
Moringa oleifera is the economically most valuable species and is native to South Asia, where it grows in the Himalayan foothills but is widely cultivated across the tropics. Nine species occur in eastern Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and Somalia, of which eight are endemic to Africa.
~United Nation FAO
Nutrient contents
Moringa leaves are said to contain more than 90+ nutrients and 40+ antioxidants, some of the beneficial nutrients are plant proteins, oleic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin-C, B-Complex, and finest source of minerals i.e. calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, magnesium, potassium.
Health Benefits
Historically, Moringa are known to be use as a traditional medicine for hundreds of health conditions such as asthma, high blood, rashes, lowering blood sugar, reduce inflammations, prevent cancer, maintaining good cholesterol level, reduce arsenic toxicity, improve digestion, help balance hormones and a lot more.
*According to UN FAO, some of the recommendations are:-
- Leaves are rich in protein, vitamins A, B and C, and minerals – highly recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers as well as young children.
- Plant produces leaves during the dry season and during times of drought, and is an excellent source of green vegetable when little other food is available.
- It is fast growing and drought tolerant (does not tolerate water-logging).
- Moringa products have antibiotic, antitrypanosomal, hypotensive, antispasmodic, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, hypo-cholesterolemic, and hypoglycemic properties.*
Local use and cultivation
In Malaysia, particularly in my home state Sabah, people plant Moringa (from seeds or cuttings) in the backyards. Generally it is use as salads, or as an ingredient in dishes or soups. The locals call it Kelor (East Coast), Merunggai (West Coast), Ramungai or Tambarayon (for the Dusuns). Because of its high nutritional values and popularity, farmers now are cultivating it in big scale. They will harvest the fresh leaves twice a month, and process it to powder form and pack in capsules. There is a huge potential for export because of the demands in the international market.
I have the privilege to visit a Local Organic Moringa Farm in Sandakan couple months ago. They are producing the Moringa products in capsules form, Moringa powder, Moringa tea-bags and also Moringa Bathing Soap. The farm operated by a friend and his brother. I am getting my Moringa supplements directly from them :)
Own testimonial
I have been taking Moringa as supplement for the last few months, I feel it helps maintaining my daily nutrient needs and it have sort out some minor problems I have before i.e. digestive problem, acid reflux, skin rashes. There are tons of testimonials on the benefits of Moringa on the Internet, Youtube and Health forums you guys can check it out too.
With the ease of how this plant can grows on harsh soil conditions, resistant to drought and the whole tree are edible with nutritional benefits, Moringa could be the answer to world hunger and malnutrition in certain regions. You can read further @ World Hunger Solution
“Moringa shows great promise as a tool to help overcome some of the most severe problems in the developing world—malnutrition, deforestation, impure water and poverty. The tree does best in the dry regions where these problems are worst.”
- Andrew Young, frmr U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
