Beginning in June 2010, The "Nigerian Tribune" ran a series of articles on growing Moringa oleifera for its financial, nutritional and health benefits. The series included testimonials of Moringa oleifera's ability to eliminate malnutrition, cure chronic fatigue syndrome and boost the mood and energy level of a miniature Schnauzer and her owner. Moringa oleifera grows in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. In the U.S., it grows in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Moringa leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, bark, roots and gum are used for food, medicine or animal feed.
Moringa Oleifera Nutritional Benefits
It is difficult to avoid superlatives when describing Moringa oleifera's value as a food source. It is rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. Researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana examined the nutritional value of Moringa leaves and the leaves from several varieties of sweet potato. The researchers found that Moringa leaves had 2009 mg of calcium per 100 g -- about 3.5 oz. by weight. That's more calcium than 6 cups of milk. Moringa is also rich in iron. The researchers found that 100 g of Moringa leaves have 28 mg of iron -- more than 7 oz. of chicken liver or 9 oz. of beef tenderloin.
Moringa Medical Preparations
From the roots to the sap, every part of the Moringa plant yields some health benefit. Moringa plants are rich in phytochemicals -- compounds produced by plants that have health benefits. Moringa medicinals are prepared as water-based or alcoholic extracts, decoctions (boiled in water), creams, oils, moisturizers, ointments or powders. Fresh leaves or roots are applied as poultices to treat rheumatism and other joint pains, to relieve lower back pain, to stop headaches and to treat wounds.
Role in Ayurvedic Medicine
The traditional Indian medical system of Ayurveda uses the flowers, gum, bark, roots and seeds of Moringa trees to heal. Moringa has the ayuvedic properties of Guni (quality), Rasa (Taste), Vipak (metabolism), Virya (potency) and Prabhav (impact). Practitioners use Shigru -- the Sanskrit name for Moringa olifera -- for its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moringa seeds are anti-hypertensive and help protect the liver through its antioxidant properties. Moringa gum is used as an abortifacient, to treat headaches, fevers, dysentery, asthma and intestinal cancer.
Antibacterial Properties
Moringa plant compounds have significant antibacterial properties. A 2010 study published in the journal, "Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences," found that Moringa seed and leaf extracts killed Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria. Moringa extracts were also effective against Salmonella typhimurium, a germ that causes dysentery and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. In addition, the researchers found that Moringa has significant anti-fungal activity. Another 2010 study published in the Brazilian journal, "Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo," confirmed the germ-fighting ability of water-based extracts of Moringa.