Scientific Name: Moringa oleifera Lam.
Local Names:
Malunggay (Tag.)
Maronggay (Ilok.)
Balunggay(Bis)
Horse raddish (Eng.)
Also Known As:
Moringa
pterygosperma,
Ben Oil Tree,
Horse Radish Tree,
Tree of Life,
Miracle Tree, Drumstick Tree,
Jiksna gandha, Akshiva, Mochak, Sahijan, Zogale
Moringa oleifera is a fast growing, evergreen, deciduous tree. It can reach a height of 10–12m and the trunk can reach a diameter of 45 cm.The bark has a whitish-grey colour and is surrounded by thick cork. Young shoots have purplish or greenish-white hairy bark. The tree has an open crown of drooping, fragile branches and the leaves build up a feathery foliage of tripinnatet leaves. It is also known as horseradish tree of the pungent, bitter flavor of the roots, is a tree native to India, Pakistan, and Nepal. The fragile leaves are the most popular part of the plant. They can be eaten whole but are most often dried and ground into a fine, velvety powder. The leaves are chock-full of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and amino acids. They also pack flavonoids like quercetin, which can stabilize histamine production, and chlorogenic acid, which has been shown to have a balancing effect on blood sugar.
Malunggay is widely believed to contain high value nutrients and consumption of which promotes general well being. Malunggay is also called a "miracle tree" primarilly for the various health benefits it can provide for almost all kinds of diseases and medical conditions. More over almost all of its parts have use - from its roots, pods, barks, flowers and leaves.
Moringa oleifera is a plant that has been praised for its health benefits for thousands of years. It is very rich in healthy antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds.So far, scientists have only investigated a fraction of the many reputed health benefits.
Moringa oleifera is a Tree, but rather than this being in reference to its potential medicinal usage this is actually refering to how it is a very valuable food crop (it is drought resistant, grows very fast, and is highly nutritive) and even beyond food it serves many benefits in third world countries such as having an ability to be used for some crafts (due to being a tree) and cleaning water.
PREPARATION & USES
Medicinal uses
1. For wounds, ulcers, sores and bruises
- Prepare the decoction of roots
and use this to cleanse sores, ulcers, wounds and skin inflammations.
- The root decoction is helpful in
relaxing the throat muscles and relieving sudden abnormal involuntary contractions
of abnormal muscles.
2. Rheumatism and painful joints
- Root decoction is applied as fomentation
to relieve inflamed muscles and glandular swellings.
- Roasted seeds and leaves mixed
with oil maybe used as poultice on affected parts.
3. For dog and snake bites
- Chew a piece of root. Apply this
on bitten part to prevent the poison from spreading. Caution: An excess intake
of the roots is known to cause abortion.
4. To stimulate milk secretion
- Infusion to leaves are taken to
stimulate milk secretion in nursing mother.
- Leaf infusion is used for
washing wounds and venereal sores.
5. To expel worms
- Apply a leaf extract poultice on
the abdomen.
6. Aphrodisiac
- Boil the flowers in milk. Drink to
enhance potency.
7. For hiccough, asthma and lumbago
- Drink root-bark decoction.
8. For abortion
- Drink concentrated root
decoction.
9. As hemostatic
- Pound the bark and apply tho
bleeding wounds.
I. IMPORTANCE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA
A. Moringa can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions and hence widely cultivated across the world.
I. IMPORTANCE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA
A. Moringa can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions and hence widely cultivated across the world.
1.The leaves are rich in minerals, vitamins and other essential phytochemicals. Extracts from the leaves are used to treat malnutrition, augment breast milk in lactating mothers.
2. It is used as potential antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial agent. M. oleifera seed, a natural coagulant is extensively used in water treatment.
II. MALUNGGAY AS LIFE EXTENDER
A. Malunggay Benefits
1. Malunggay Nurtrients
2. Malunggay as Traditional Medicine
III. MALUNGGAY AS POWERFUL NOURISHMENT
A. Moringa oleifera Is Very Nutritious
1. Almost all parts of the Moringa tree can be eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines.The leaves are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. One cup of fresh, chopped leaves (21 grams) contains the following:Protein: 2 grams; Vitamin B6: 19% of the RDA; Vitamin C: 12% of the RDA; Iron: 11% of the RDA; Riboflavin (B2): 11% of the RDA; Vitamin A (from beta-carotene): 9% of the RDA; Magnesium: 8% of the RDA.
2. Moringa leaves may also contain high levels of anti-nutrients, which can reduce the absorption of minerals and protein. The amounts are negligible compared to what you are already getting if you eat a balanced, real food-based diet.
B. Moringa May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
1. Several studies have shown that Moringa Oleifera may help lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, a small study in six diabetic patients found that adding 50 grams of Moringa leaves to a meal reduced the rise in blood sugar by 21%. But the bottom line is that Moringa leaves may lead to reduced blood sugar levels, but more research is needed before any solid recommendations can be made.
2. Among the various benefits of Malunggay leaves, anti diabetic becomes one of the illness which can be healed by Malunggay. Some studies of diabetes explained an increase in the magnitude of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) which almost doubled from 4.1% to 8.1%. Malunggay leaves have many potential in managing health especially for diabetes. Hyperglycemia is one of the most important symptoms of diabetes. The study used Malunggay leaves tea in lowering the blood sugar levels.In other side when the Malunggay leaves tea was drunk by hyperglycemic patients, their blood sugar levels sugnificantly decreased two hours after intake.
C. Clean Dirty or Polluted Water
1. Malunggay is not known only as the medical herbal but in many countries, the seeds of the Malunggay tree are used to purify and clean dirty-polluted water. A study revealed that Malunggay seeds can filter water using flocculation to produce healthy and potable water.
2. Aside from its potential as biofuel feedstock, the seed of moringa, locally known as Malunggay, could also be used for treating water, Dr. Isidro Sia, a professor of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of the Philippines-Manila, said moringa seeds have been found to be one of the most effective water purifiers, based on international studies.Solutions of moringa seeds for water treatment may be prepared from seed kernels or from the solid residue left over after oil extraction. According to research, moringa seeds treat water on two levels, acting both as a coagulant and an antimicrobial agent.
2. It is used as potential antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial agent. M. oleifera seed, a natural coagulant is extensively used in water treatment.
II. MALUNGGAY AS LIFE EXTENDER
A. Malunggay Benefits
1. Malunggay Nurtrients
2. Malunggay as Traditional Medicine
III. MALUNGGAY AS POWERFUL NOURISHMENT
A. Moringa oleifera Is Very Nutritious
1. Almost all parts of the Moringa tree can be eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines.The leaves are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. One cup of fresh, chopped leaves (21 grams) contains the following:Protein: 2 grams; Vitamin B6: 19% of the RDA; Vitamin C: 12% of the RDA; Iron: 11% of the RDA; Riboflavin (B2): 11% of the RDA; Vitamin A (from beta-carotene): 9% of the RDA; Magnesium: 8% of the RDA.
2. Moringa leaves may also contain high levels of anti-nutrients, which can reduce the absorption of minerals and protein. The amounts are negligible compared to what you are already getting if you eat a balanced, real food-based diet.
B. Moringa May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
1. Several studies have shown that Moringa Oleifera may help lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, a small study in six diabetic patients found that adding 50 grams of Moringa leaves to a meal reduced the rise in blood sugar by 21%. But the bottom line is that Moringa leaves may lead to reduced blood sugar levels, but more research is needed before any solid recommendations can be made.
2. Among the various benefits of Malunggay leaves, anti diabetic becomes one of the illness which can be healed by Malunggay. Some studies of diabetes explained an increase in the magnitude of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) which almost doubled from 4.1% to 8.1%. Malunggay leaves have many potential in managing health especially for diabetes. Hyperglycemia is one of the most important symptoms of diabetes. The study used Malunggay leaves tea in lowering the blood sugar levels.In other side when the Malunggay leaves tea was drunk by hyperglycemic patients, their blood sugar levels sugnificantly decreased two hours after intake.
C. Clean Dirty or Polluted Water
1. Malunggay is not known only as the medical herbal but in many countries, the seeds of the Malunggay tree are used to purify and clean dirty-polluted water. A study revealed that Malunggay seeds can filter water using flocculation to produce healthy and potable water.
2. Aside from its potential as biofuel feedstock, the seed of moringa, locally known as Malunggay, could also be used for treating water, Dr. Isidro Sia, a professor of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of the Philippines-Manila, said moringa seeds have been found to be one of the most effective water purifiers, based on international studies.Solutions of moringa seeds for water treatment may be prepared from seed kernels or from the solid residue left over after oil extraction. According to research, moringa seeds treat water on two levels, acting both as a coagulant and an antimicrobial agent.
Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) is a supermarket on a tree! Imagine a tree in your backyard that will meet most of your nutritional daily needs. Purify your water and take care of your medical needs. It is also increases the natural defenses of the body, provides nourishment to the eyes and brain and boost your energy in a natural manner, and is remarkable source of nutrition. Individuals ingesting it say that their ulcers are healed, tumors restricted , there are reduction in the arthritis pains and inflammation, controlled blood pressure, the skin problems are restored, and finally they have a stronger defenses against diseases.
Moringa trees have been used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers. Three non-governmental organizations in particular—Trees for Life, Church World Service and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization—have advocated Moringa as “natural nutrition for the tropics.” Leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or stored as dried powder for many months without refrigeration, and reportedly without loss of nutritional value. Moringa is especially promising as a food source in the tropics because the tree is in full leaf at the end of the dry season when other foods are typically scarce.
Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. In fact, the nutritional properties of Moringa are now so well known that there seems to be little doubt of the substantial health benefit to be realized by consumption of Moringa leaf powder in situations where starvation is imminent. Nonetheless, the outcomes of well controlled and well documented clinical studies are still clearly of great value.
Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. In fact, the nutritional properties of Moringa are now so well known that there seems to be little doubt of the substantial health benefit to be realized by consumption of Moringa leaf powder in situations where starvation is imminent. Nonetheless, the outcomes of well controlled and well documented clinical studies are still clearly of great value.
Since there are over 46 rich Anti-oxidants and 36 inflammatory compounds, Malunggay does have an Anti-aging properties, by supplying the body with enough nutrients from Malunggay we can find enough method to block the oxidation of healthy tissue by active oxygen then we can attempt to delay the ageing process. In addition, Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) is famously known for its miraculous powers because every part of it contains the strongest nutrients that is very important in one self to achieve a healthy and productive lifestyle and also ensures an extend of life's wellness.
Researchers/ Contributors:
Kriswin Dela Fuente
Priyanka Valencia
Faith Torres
Mary Ann Rodriguez
Rhona Miraflor
Ellen Joy Violeta
Janen Buquiran
Quency Bacud
Kriswin Dela Fuente
Priyanka Valencia
Faith Torres
Mary Ann Rodriguez
Rhona Miraflor
Ellen Joy Violeta
Janen Buquiran
Quency Bacud
References:
* Food Science and Human Wellness Volume 5, Issue 2, (2016,June) Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453016300362
(2018 ) Moringa oleifera: A Review of the Medical Evidence for Its Nutritional, Therapeutic, and Prophylactic Properties. Part 1.Trees for Life Journal. https://www.tfljournal.org/article.php/20051201124931586
* CLAUDIA MCNEILLY (2017, May 3) Why Moringa Is the New Superfood You Need to Know About. Retrieved from Vogue https://www.vogue.com/article/moringa-new-superfood-to-know
* Atli Arnarson, PhD ( 2017, June 6) 6 Science-Based Health Benefits of Moringa oleifera.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-benefits-of-moringa-oleifera#section3
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-benefits-of-moringa-oleifera#section3
*Sr, Marie Denise, SPC, Jovita G. R., Florence I. S., Angelita G. R. (1985) Philippine Plants (Their Medical, Culinary, and Cosmetic values). Rex Book Store
* Medical Health Guide ( 2011 ) Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) Herbal Medicine
http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/articles/malunggay.htm
* Dr. Health Benefits (2017) 18 Proven Health Benefits of Malunggay Leaves Tea
* Pr1mera Philippines (2014, Feb 14) MALUNGGAY (MORINGA OLEIFERA)
https://pr1meraphilippines.wordpress.com/the-power-of-8/malunggay-moringa-oleifera-lam/
* http://beta.philstar.com/headli2008/07/12/72447/malunggay-can-nes/be-used-water-purifier#hO91vqZopW5woVX9.99
