-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
In India, roots are used as a carminative (promotes gas expulsion from
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.
A snuff made from roots is inhaled to relieve earache and toothache.
A juice made from a combination of
fresh roots, bark and leaves is
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.
In India, a decoction of the root bark is used as a fermentation to
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.
In the Philippines it is believed that, roots, chewed and applied to a
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.
Flowers, leaves and roots used as remedies for various tumors, and the
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.