Moringa oleifera is a plant that is often called the drumstick tree, the miracle tree, the ben oil tree, or the horseradish tree. It is native to India and is cultivated throughout the tropics, and can be found in sub-tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The great thing about using moringa is that it is highly sustainable because it can grow easily from seeds or cutting a branch and plant them in soil.
People use both the seeds and leaves of the moringa plant. The leaves can be boiled to make tea or ground into a green powder that can be added to any food or beverages, such as smoothies. You can even cook moringa leaves and eat them to get the most of their vitamins and minerals.
Read: The Wonders of Malunggay
Moringa is one of the most popular plants around the world. It’s worth noting that moringa has different names in different countries,
- Philippines: malunggay
- India: murungu (the drumstick tree)
- Senegal: mother’s milk
- China: lat mok
- Taiwan: la mu
- Indonesia: kalor
- Vietnam: chùm ngây
- Mexico: flor de jacinto
Other general English nicknames for it are the “tree of life,” the “vitamin tree,” the “horseradish tree” and the “never die tree.”
Facts about Moringa and how it can improve your health:
1. Moringa is a great source of antioxidants and some vitamins, including:
- B-vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Zinc
2. Moringa helps you lose weight
it fills you up because it contains high fiber which slows food absorption, keeps your blood sugar regulated, and makes you feel fuller for longer periods of time. Its insoluble fiber also prevents constipation and promotes a healthy digestive system.
3. Moringa as water purifier
Its seeds also used to improve the cleanliness of water and reduced coliform counts in drinking water. When crushed, the seeds act as a natural binder, causing fine particles, salts, bacteria, and other impurities in river or lake water to clump together for easy removal, an important step in the process of readying water for sanitary drinking.
4. Moringa is great in moisturizing skin, hair and nails
Valued for its rejuvenating, repairing, softening and beautifying effects, its oil has been used for centuries in lotions, soaps, conditioners, cosmetics and as a base for perfumes. It is also effective as standard soap in cleaning hands. It contains standard antibacterial effects and antifungal properties.
5. Moringa a good source of oil
Seeds can be pressed to extract a highly versatile oil. Moringa oil, better known as “Ben oil” is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and healthy saturated fats. It is wonderful for use in frying and sautéing due to its high smoke point, and it’s also great for use in things like salad dressings.
