-growing tree, there is new hope for AIDS/HIV sufferers.
The moringa produces so many useful vitamins that many call it “the
miracle tree”—seven times the Vitamin C in oranges, four
times the Vitamin A in carrots, four times the calcium in milk. In Africa, where
people are sick and starving, it is a real gift from Mother Nature.
Lena Nozizwe reports. It’s been called “the tree of paradise,
the never-die tree,” and you’re not going out on a limb to refer to the
moringa as “the miracle tree.” Lowell Fuglie/Church World Service:
“It is miraculous that one single tree can offer so many uses for people.”
Lowell Fuglie has become the Johnny Appleseed of the moringa tree. From
his office in Dakar, Senegal, in West Africa, he has been spreading the
news—and the seeds—of the remarkable tree that has edible roots,
leaves, flowers and pods, rich in calcium, iron, potassium, as well as Vitamin
A. Lowell Fuglie: “In the Third World, there are hundreds, thousands,
of people who go blind every year for lack of Vitamin A. So, if you
have an easy source of Vitamin A like the moringa provides, then you’re
doing something very, very good.” Another miracle is how
quickly it grows. Lowell Fuglie: “It grows very rapidly. This particular
tree was planted from seed two years ago and it is already 20 feet tall.”
Once an arid patch of land, United Methodist-supported Church World Service
has planted a million of the drought-resistant plants at this
moringa tree farm about five hours north of Dakar. Here the leaves are
washed, dried and pulverized into a powder for easy use. The moringa is
playing an important role in curbing malnutrition and aiding those with
HIV and AIDS. It’s an inexpensive and accessible way for people
to resist secondary infections and improve their diets. Two studies
are under way to see how much the moringa tree really improves diets. One
study will track weaning babies; the other, HIV patients. If this is
a food with so many nutrients and health benefits, it could offer long-term
solutions to malnutrition that devastates so many places
on the planet. MORINGA SEED POWDER FOR WATER PURIFICATION "Then Moses led
the people of Israel on from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the
wilderness of Shur and were there three days without water. Arriving
at Murah, they couldn't drink the water because it was bitter (that
is why the place was called Murah, meaning "bitter"). Then the people
turned against Moses. "Must we die of thirst?" they demanded. Moses
pleaded with the Lord to help them, and the Lord showed them a tree
to throw into the water, and the water became sweet." Exodus 15:22-7
powder from crushed Moringa seed kernels works as a natural flocculant,
binding to the solids in water and causing them to sink to the bottom.
Since bacteria in water is generally attached to solid particles,
treatment with Moringa powder can leave water clear with 90-99% of
the bacteria removed. (Additional treatment of the water by boiling or
adding chlorine or bleach is needed to render it completely safe
to drink). Seed powder from Moringa stenopetala is used by women in
the Sudan to clarify the turbid water of the Nile. To treat 20 liters
of water: Remove the shells from mature Moringa seeds and crush the
white kernels in a mortar until a fine powder is obtained. Do not use discolored
seeds. Add 2 grams (2 teaspoons) of powder to a cup of clean
water and shake for five minutes in order to activate the chemicals
in the powder. (This can be done by putting the powder and cup of
water into a bottle and then shaking the bottle for 5 minutes). Filter
this solution through a clean cloth into the bucket of water to be treated.
Stir the bucket rapidly for 2 minutes, then slowly for 10-15 minutes.
Leave the bucket to sit without being disturbed. After one hour, the
solid particles in the water will have settled. A general rule
of thumb is to use the powder from one Moringa kernel per every two liters
of water when the water is somewhat turbid, and one kernel per liter
when the water is very turbid. Moringa seeds and seed powder can be
stored, but the paste must be made fresh each time water is to be purified.
Seed cake from which oil has been extracted retains its coagulant
properties. It can be dried and stored and the powder used
to clarify water as needed. MORINGA: A MEDICAL PHARMACOPOEIA Moringa
oleifera is already highly esteemed by people in the tropics and sub-tropics
for the many ways it is used medicinally by local herbalists.
Some of these traditional uses reflect the nutritional content of the various
tree parts. The following are but some of the ways the tree is
used in Asia, Africa and the Americas. In recent years, laboratory investigation
has confirmed the efficacy of some of these applications. LEAVES
In India, juice from leaves is believed to have a stabilizing effect
on blood pressure and is used to treat anxiety. In Senegal, a infusion
of leaf juice is believed to control glucose levels in cases of diabetes.
Mixed with honey and followed by a drink of coconut milk 2 or 3
times a day, leaves are used as a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery and colitis
(inflammation of the colon). Leaf juice, sometimes with carrot
juice added, used as a diuretic (to increase urine flow). Eating
leaves is recommended in cases of gonorrhea on account of the diuretic
action. In India and Nicaragua, leaves and young buds are rubbed on
the temple for headache. In India and the Philippines, a poultice made from
fresh leaves is applied to reduce glandular swelling. It was reported
that Malaysians sometimes applied a leaf poultice to the abdomen
to expel intestinal worms. Leaf juice is sometimes used as a skin
antiseptic. In India, leaves used to treat fevers, bronchitis, eye and ear
infections, scurvy and catarrh (inflammation of the mucus membrane).
Leaves are considered to be anthelmintic (able to kill intestinal worms).
Leaves are used as an irritant and as a purgative. In Nicaragua,
Guatemala and Senegal, leaves are applied as poultice on sores and skin
infections. In the Philippines, eating leaves is believed to increase
a woman's milk production and is sometimes prescribed for anemia. FLOWERS
Flowers are traditionally used as a tonic, diuretic, and abortifacient.
Flowers are considered to be anthelminitic. Used to cure inflammations,
muscle diseases, tumors and enlargement of the spleen. In India,
juice pressed from the flowers is said to alleviate sore throat and catarrh.
In Puerto Rico, an infusion of the flowers is used as an eyewash
and a decoction from the flowers has been used to treat hysteria.
PODS are believed to be anthelminitic Pods are used in affections
of the liver and spleen, and in treating articular pains (pain in the
joints). ROOTS the alimentary canal, against intestinal pain or spasms)
and as a laxative. Roots are considered useful against intermittent
fevers and are sometimes chewed to relieve cold symptoms. Juice from
roots is applied externally as a rubefacient (skin tonic), counterirritant
or vesicant (agent to induce blistering). Roots are used as
an abortifacient, diuretic and a cardiac and circulatory tonic.
Roots are used to treat epilepsy, nervous debility and hysteria. In
Senegal and India, roots are pounded and mixed with salt to make a poultice
for treating rheumatism and articular pains. In Senegal, this
poultice is also used to relieve lower back or kidney pain. Roots are
used as a purgative. In India, Indo-China, Nicaragua and Nigeria, a
root poultice is used to treat inflammations, especially swelling of tissues
in the foot (pedal edema). A decoction of roots is used to cleanse
sores and ulcers. In India and Indo-China roots are used to treat cases
of scurvy. Root juice mixed with milk is considered useful against
in hiccoughs, asthma, gout, lumbago, rheumatism, enlarged spleen
or liver, internal and deep-seated inflammations, and calculous affections.
Crushed root mixed with rum has been used as a liniment on
rheumatism. inserted into the nostrils to arouse a patient from coma
or stupor. ROOT BARK AND STEM BARK In Senegal, root and tree bark are
used to treat sores and skin infections. Bark is regarded as useful
in treating scurvy. In India, stem and root bark are taken as appetizers
and digestives. In Senegal, a decoction of root bark, roots,
leaves and flowers is used to treat epilepsy, hysteria, and intestinal
spasms. relieve intestinal spasm and is considered useful in calculous
affections (mineral buildup/kidney stones). Stem bark is
used to cure eye diseases. In India, stem and root bark are believed to
be aphrodisiacs and anthelmintic. In India, root bark is said
to prevent enlargement of the spleen and formation of tuberculous glands
of the neck, to destroy tumors and to heal ulcers. Juice from root
bark is put into the ear to relieve earaches and also placed in a toothache
cavity as a pain killer. Bark is used as a treatment for delirious
patients. snakebite, will keep the poison from spreading. Bark is used
as a rubefacient and as a vesicant. In India, bark is sometimes
mixed with peppercorns and used as an abortifacient (although often
with fatal consequences). GUM Gum, mixed with sesame oil, is used to
relieve headaches. This is also poured into ears for the relief of
earache. In Java, gum is given for intestinal complaints. In India, gum
is used for dental caries. Gum is considered to be diuretic. In India
and in Senegal, gum is considered useful in treating fevers, dysentery
and asthma. Gum is used as an astringent and rubefacient (skin
tonics). In India, gum is sometimes used as an abortifacient. In India,
gum is used to treat syphilis and rheumatism. SEEDS Seeds are used against
fevers. seed for abdominal tumors. In Aruba, a paste of crushed seeds
is spread on warts. SEED OIL In India, seed oil is applied externally
to relieve pain and swelling in case of gout or rheumatism, and to treat
skin diseases. Oil is used to treat hysteria and scurvy. Oil is
applied to treat prostrate and bladder troubles. Oil is considered to
be a tonic and a purgative. Some of the above traditional remedies have
been supported by recent laboratory studies. Among these: Moringa
leaf extract has been shown to be effective in lowering blood
sugar levels within a space of 3 hours, albeit less effectively than the
standard hypoglycaemic drug, glibenclamide. Effects increased with
larger doses.30 An extract taken from dried leaves showed an impressive
ability to heal ulcers in laboratory animals. Administration
of daily doses by injection caused a very significant improvement
in the healing rate in induced gastric ulcers.31 An extract made from dried
powdered leaves was shown to have a very potent depressive effect
on the central nervous system, resulting in significant muscle relaxation,
decreased body temperatures and increased sleep time among laboratory
mice. Subjects receiving the highest dosages spent twice as much
time asleep as the control group.32 An extract from dried roots, applied
orally to laboratory mice, demonstrated clearly that the roots possess
antiinflammatory properties.33 In another study, infusion
of seeds, roots and flowers significantly inhibited the formation of
pedal edema, although the authors concluded that the seed infusion may
be the only one worthy of further investigation.34 An infusion made from
seeds demonstrated an ability to inhibit intestinal spasms, as
well as some diuretic activity. However, other plant parts (leaves, roots,
stalks and flowers) showed no significant antispasmodic or diuretic
activity.35 An in vitro study showed that an aqueous extract
made from seeds is effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus
aureus and Escheridia coli. This study showed the seed extract
to be equally effective as Neomycin against S. aureus. Similar
results were obtained with aqueous extracts from the roots.36 Fresh leaf
juice has showed some positive inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa37
and an extract from leaves was found to be effective at inhibiting
the growth of the fungi Basidiobolus haptosporus and B.ranarum. The
in vitro anti-fungal effects of the extract compared favorably the
with the effects of some conventional drugs used to treat zygomycotic
infections.38 Aqueous extract from stem bark were shown to
increase the rate of heart contractions at low concentrations and decrease
the rate at high concentrations, with the effect of lowering blood
pressure.39 Moringinine, from root bark, acts on the sympathetic nervous
system and acts as a cardiac stimulant, relaxes bronchioles (bronchial
tube inflammation) and inhibits involuntary intestinal tract movement.
Anthonine, also found in root bark, is highly toxic to the
cholera bacterium.40 Spirochin, found in the roots, is anti-gram+
bacteria, analgesic, antipyretic, affects the circulatory system (by
raising or lowering heart beat, depending on dose), and affects the
nervous system. In high doses it can paralyze the vagus nerve. Also
found in roots and seeds, benzylisothiocyanate (which works against
fungi and bacteria) may be even better than medicinally utilized benzylisothiocyanate and other isothiocyanates.41 The resilient,
fast growing Moringa tree is packed with so many vitamins and
nutrients and has such a high nutritional value that it has been rightly
dubbed by some as the miracle tree. The Miracle Tree All parts of this
scruffy looking tree are edible; the leaves can be eaten raw, cooked
like spinach or made into a powder that can be added to sauces,
soups or chowders. The new leaves have a tendency to appear towards
the end of the dry season when few other sources of green leafy vegetables
are available. The young, green pods can be eaten whole and are
comparable in taste to asparagus. The older pods can be used for their
seeds, which can be prepared as peas or roasted and eaten like peanuts.
The flowers which bloom around 8 months after the tree is planted,
can be eaten fried and have the taste and texture of mushrooms.
In Hawaii, the flowers are used to make a tea that cures colds. In addition
to this, the flowers are a year- round source of nectar and can be
used by beekeepers. When the pods mature and turn brown, the seeds
can be removed and pressed to extract high quality oil similar to
olive oil rich in oleic acid (73%). The mature seed contains about
40% oil. The oil, which is known as Ben oil, can be used for cooking,
lubrication, in soaps, lamps and perfumes. The oil was highly valued by
ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians and was used in perfumes and
for skin protection; it was also used in Europe in the 19th century
for the same purpose and was imported from the West Indies. The taproot
of young trees can be used to make a spice resembling horseradish
when vinegar and salt are added to it. Not only is the Moringa oleifera
tree extraordinary in that all parts of the tree are edible, but
the most amazing aspect of the tree is its exceptionally high nutritional
value. The leaves of the Moringa tree are an excellent source of
vitamin A (four times the amount in carrots), the raw leaves are rich
in vitamin C (seven times the amount in oranges), and they are also
a good source of vitamin B and other minerals. The leaves are also an outstanding
source of calcium (four times the amount in milk), protein
(twice the amount in milk), and potassium (three time the amount in
bananas). The content of iron is very good as well and the leaves have
purportedly been used for treating anaemia in the Philippines. The content
of amino acids such as methionine and cystine is also high. Carbohydrates,
fats and phosphorous content are low making this one of the finest
plant foods to be found. These qualities have made the Moringa
oleifera tree a candidate in the fight against malnutrition. A group of
health workers from the Church World Service have been utilizing
this highly nutritious and fast growing tree as a means to cure and prevent
malnutrition in infants, pregnant and lactating women as
an alternative to the classic and expensive condiments usually used such
as whole milk powder, sugar, vegetable oil, and sometimes peanut butter.
It takes around ten days to see an improvement in malnourished infants
when Moringa leaves are used whereas it takes months for recovery
with conventional methods. According to Dr. Lowell Fuglie, the
West Africa representative of the Church World Service who used the Moringa
tree as a base for a nutrition program, “for a child aged 1-3,
a 100 g serving of fresh cooked leaves would provide all his daily requirements
of calcium, about 75% of his iron and half his protein needs,
as well as important amounts of potassium, B vitamins, copper and all
the essential amino acids. As little as 20 grams of leaves would
provide a child with all the vitamins A and C he needs." "For pregnant
and breast-feeding women, Moringa leaves and pods can do much
to preserve the mother's health and pass on strength to the fetus or
nursing child. One 100 g portion of leaves could provide a woman with over
a third of her daily need of calcium and give her important quantities
of iron, protein, copper, sulfur and B-vitamins." “One rounded
tablespoon (8 g) of leaf powder will satisfy about 14% of the protein, 40%
of the calcium, and 23% of the iron and nearly all the vitamin A
needs for a child aged 1-3. Six rounded spoonfuls of leaf powder will
satisfy nearly all of a woman's daily iron and calcium needs during
pregnancy and breast-feeding." The Moringa tree has other extraordinary
qualities; the powder from ground Moringa seeds and the presscake
left over from oil extraction have the ability to clear murky
water as it acts as a coagulant which attaches to particulate matter
and bacteria in the water and falls to the bottom of the container. The
purified water can then be poured out and boiled. This method has
been used for centuries domestically and has recently been tried commercially
and was found to be equally efficient to, if not surpassing, alum
which is usually used and at a fraction of the cost. Practical Uses
The bark of the tree can be used to make mats or rope and in tanning
hides. The gum from the cut tree trunks is used in calico printing and in
some medicines. The wood can be used to make a blue dye and can
also be used as firewood. The flowers and roots of Moringa trees contain
a powerful antibiotic known as pterygospermin, which also has fungicidal
properties. An effective plant growth hormone can be extracted
from fresh leaves and has been found to increase crop yields by
up to 25-30%, and the leaves can also be used as a green manure
to enrich farmlands. Mother’s Best Friend The family Moringaceae
contains 14 species of Moringa trees. Moringa oleifera, is a drought
tolerant tree, and is the best-known member of this family. It is native
to sub-Himalayan regions of northern India and is distributed
all over the world in tropics and sub tropics. Moringa stenopetala, which
produces larger seed and leaves than M. oleifera, inhabits Ethiopia
and northern Kenya. M. peregrina is native in Egypt, Sudan, and the Arabian
Peninsula and as far north as the Dead Sea. M. ovalifolia
is found in Angola and Namibia. The tree has many different names. It
is called the drumstick tree in India due to the long pods, or the horseradish
tree as the roots may be used to make a spice resembling horseradish.
In some parts of the world it is known as ‘Mother’s
best friend’. In Senegal, it is known as Nebeday, which means "Never Die,"
because the tree is outstandingly hearty. It is also known as the Ben
Oil tree; the Benzolive tree in Haiti; Marum in Thailand; Yoruba in Nigeria
and Malunggay in the Philippines.
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