Whilst working on a horticulture project I stumbled across a plant called malunggay or moringa. I was astounded by the incredible properties of the plant that I did further research. In the 1990's, moringa came to the attention of the scientific world and is now creating a big buzz, a MORINGAMANIA, driven by the exciting opportunities that the plant offers to the nutritional, medicinal, agricultural, environmental and biofuel industries. This plant promises so much that I can't resist jumping onto the bandwagon to help promote awareness. It serves as traditional nutrition to many communities and has medicinal values for supposedly 300 diseases, many of which have been proven although yet to be scientifically accepted.
Malunggay is the Tagalog (Philippines national langguage) name for Moringa Olefeira. It's called by other names elsewhere like Drumstick Tree (India), Horseradish Tree (Florida, I think). Thought to be originally from India but it has taken roots all over the world, especially in tropical climates.
Moringa for food:
- Roots are edible and taste like horseradish
- Leaves, flowers, young pods & seeds are cooked as vegetables
- Flowers & leaves are used as garnish
- Leaves can be added in your salad
- Leaves taken as tea
Moriga for food supplement:
- Dried leaf powder can be added to food as nutritional supplement
Moringa for medicine:
Locals use it to cure many ailments such as skin diseases, heal wounds, intestinal problems, and many more; nursing mothers take it to increase milk production.
Moringa for oil (extracts from seeds):
- Cooking oil
- Lubricating oil
- Biodiesel
Moringa for the environment:
- Seedcakes after oil extraction can be used for water purification
- Seedcakes may be used as fodder
- Green leaf in solution can be used as natural fertiliser
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
There's more...
Moringa is very easy to grow. It grows on just any soil. Cut it, break it...it just grows again. and it's quick to harvest.
Not only is it good to eat, it is nutrient packed. It is jam-packed with vitamins, useful minerals and vast array of amino acids. It is thus a great plant for treating malnutrition in poor countries.
As fertiliser --- crops show improved yields, looks better, bigger and quicker to harvest.
As fodder --- animal growth improved
As biodiesel -- it makes excellent biodiesel, no toxic wastes to take care of...in fact waste can be used as by products for water purification and animal feed.
As nutritional supplement ....absolutely perfect as moringa is a powerhouse of nutrients.
As medicine ..... much work still needs to be done. But there is no doubt moringa has very very great potential. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-cancer, lactation and many many more propperties -- all laboratory proven.
No doubt about it, MORINGAMANIA is out there as companies rush to bring products to the market. There is in fact a sort of 'gold rush' going on to develop biofuels with moringa. And who can blame them the way petrol prices are hitting record highs every day.Moringa is a great gift from Mother Nature indeed. It's a perfect tree.....The Magic Tree.
