Introducing Moringa



Introducing Moringa

Online Info-giant, Wikipedia defines Moringa as follows
Moringa is the sole genus in the flowering plant family Moringaceae. The name is derived from the Tamil word murunggai or the Malayalam word muringa, both of which refer to M. oleifera. It contains 13 species from tropical and subtropical climates that range in size from tiny herbs to massive trees.

The most widely cultivated species is Moringa oleifera, a multipurpose tree native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India and cultivated throughout the tropics. M. stenopetala, an African species, is also widely grown, but to a much lesser extent than M. oleifera. Moringa oleifera is being promoted as a means to combat poverty and malnutrition. It grows quickly in many types of environments, and much of the plant is edible, including by livestock.

The leaves contain all essential amino acids and are rich in protein, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and minerals. Feeding the high protein leaves to cattle has been shown to increase weight gain by up to 32% and milk production by 43 to 65%. The seeds contain 30 to 40% oil that is high in oleic acid, while degreased meal is 61% protein. The defatted meal is a flocculant and can be used in water purification to settle out sediments and undesirable organisms.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia)

Our Definition:
Moringa oleifera is an amazing, too good to be true plant with an intimidating composition of anti-oxidants, minerals and amino-acids. Though light-weight in outlook, only the dreaded HIV and death seems to be its’ conqueror. It is no HYPE. See mounting scientific evidences below.

Where can Moringa be grown?
Moringa Oleifera is found in many tropical and sub-tropical regions. Moringa can be grown in the even the harshest and driest of soils, where barely anything else will grow. In fact, one of the nicknames of Moringa is “never die” due to its incredible ability to survive harsh weather and even drought.

What does Moringa contain?

  • Moringa contains over 90 nutritional compounds.
  • It contains all the essential and non-essential amino acids.
  • It contains 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory.
  • Moringa contains thousand of times more zeatin than any other known plant. Zeatin is a  cytokinin i.e. an anti-aging compound. Cytokinins are plant hormones that help cells divide and protect against oxidation. Zeatin is the most powerful of all cytokinins.




What Are Its Health and Wellness Benefits?

Antiviral properties :-
  It is effective against several viral strains such as: Common cold, Epstein Bar (EBV), HIV-AIDS, Warts viruses, Herpes Simplex virus etc.

Antimicrobial / Biocidal action :-
  It is effective and applied against bacterial infections such as:-Dental Caries/Toothache Infection, Syphilis, Typhoid, and Urinary Tract Infection.

Anti inflammatory properties :-
The bark leafs and the root can be used in several inflammatory disorders like: - Rheumatism, Joint Pain, Oedema, and Arthritis.

Cancer preventing property :-
It provides protection against tumours, Prostate cancer, Skin cancer etc. and also it has got the Radio protective effect.

Nervous Disorders :-
The Malunggay or the Moringa has the proven results for the nervine disorders like Epilepsy, Hysteria, Headache and for spasmodic pain in stomach .The various parts of the plants such as the Root, Gum, Bark, Leaves , Pods all are useful in this regard.

Immunomodulatory effect:-
The immune disorders like Lupus erythematosus and rheumatic arthritis, Asthma can be successfully alleviated by the consumption of the Seeds and the seed oil.

Circulatory system :-
Moringa dried leaf powders may give complete recovery from anaemia, Hypertension, Cardiac disorders, Hypercholesterolemia.

Endocrine disorders :-
 All the Leave, Fruits, Seed, Oil, Gums are diuretic. All parts have the therapeutic properties to be used in the endocrine disorders like Thyroid, Hepatorenal and Diabetes for normalcy.

Reproductive system :-
The fruit, root, bark and gum are abortifacient .The leave promote lactation. Root, bark are aphrodisiac, Seed oil normalises the prostate function .The bark if properly used has the female contraceptive property.



Research supporting the miracles of Moringa

Moringa oleifera: A Review of the Medical Evidence for Its Nutritional, Therapeutic, and Prophylactic Properties. Part 1. - Jed W. Fahey, Sc.D. - Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Cancer Chemoprotection Center, 725 N. Wolfe Street, 406 WBSB, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21205-2185

Suggested Cultural Practices for Moringa - M.C. Palada and L.C. Chang, Asian Vegetable Research Development Center (AVRDC). Published 2003.

Moringa oleifera A multi-purpose tree - HDRA - the organic organisation. The Tropical Advisory Service HDRA - the organic organisation Ryton Organic Gardens Coventry CV8 3LG UK. Published 2002.

The multi-purpose Moringa tree: Ethiopia - Dr.Yalemtsehay Mekonnen, Director, Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University. Published 2002.

Moringa Leaf Powder - Beth Doerr and Lindsay Cameron - ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization), 17391 Durrance Road, N. Fort Myers, FL 33917. Published 2005.

The Moringa Tree - Dr. Martin L. Price - ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization), 17391 Durrance Road, N. Fort Myers, FL 33917. Published 2005.

Moringa Recipes - ECHO Staff - ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization), 17391 Durrance Road, N. Fort Myers, FL 33917. Published 2005.

WEB SITES WITH MORE INFORMATION

Moringa News: Network of people interested in Moringa and clearing house for Moringa information: http://www.moringanews.org/

·         Trees for Life Moringa information:

Miracle Tree book by Church World Service:

University of Leicester’s Department of Engineering page on moringa:

The home page of the family Moringaceae by Mark Olson:

Phytochemical and Ethobotanical database:

Parts of Moringa and their uses
  • Pods used as antipyretic, anthelmintic and fried pods are used by diabetics.
  • If eaten raw, pods act as a de-wormer and treat liver and spleen problems and pains of the joints.
  • Flowers used as cholagogue, stimulant, diuretic.
  • Root juice used for nervous debility, asthma, enlarged liver and spleen, deep-seated inflammation and as diuretic in calculus affection.
  • Seeds also used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramp, sexually transmitted diseases and boils.
  • Root and fruit used as antiparalytic.
  • Leaf juice is used in hiccough and cooked leaves are given in influenza and catarrhal affections.
  • Leaves rubbed against the temple can relieve headaches.
  • Leaves also have an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect when applied to wounds or insect bites.
  • Leaf extracts can be used against bacterial or fungal skin complaints.
  • Leaf tea treats gastric ulcers and diarrhoea.
  • Leaves treat fevers, bronchitis, eye and ear infections, and inflammation of the mucus membrane.





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