Fight Child Malnutrition with Moringa

Deep in Himalayas is a tree called Moringa Oleifera, also known as the “drumstick tree” or the “horseradish tree,” commonly referred to Moringa in Nigeria, the Hausa speaking states in northern Nigeria call it “Zogale”, “the Tangale people call it  Laden” derive from the word “medicine” ,  is just one out of the 13 different species of the moringaceae family, this tree is now cultivated for its amazing health and financial benefits.

Moringa oleifera is apparently the most common, and the easiest to grow kind of the moringaceae family. No wonder while it is a native of India, the tree also grows in different tropical and sub-tropical regions, countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines, it has also been found growing in other parts of Asia, as well as most areas in Africa, South America, and Oceania.

Moringa Oliefera Tagged as the “miracle tree” or “tree of life” has been in existence for centuries. In fact, both fresh and powdered moringa leaves are being consumed by people as well are livestock, particularly in Southeast Asia, some West Africa countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana. It has been used not just like a typical ingredient of certain food recipes but has also been very significant in fighting off malnutrition in infants because of its impeccable nutritional value.

For centuries, moringa has also been used by herbal medicine practitioners to help address certain health concerns.

At first glance, moringa likely looks like any other ordinary tree, but once you get to know more about the tree, you will be impressed at how nutritious and beneficial it is.

As mentioned earlier, the different parts of the tree are edible which contain their respective nutritional content. The drumstick tree contains a staggering 92 nutrients and 46 natural antioxidants and sit also holds a number of anti-inflammatory compounds. These sheer of nutrients found in the tree brings it to the top super foods list and in its native location it is said to have the ability to help treat more than 300 diseases and illness. It is also use for cancer therapy. 

WHY MORINGA?

Both fresh and dried leaves, contains almost everything the human body needs,

18 of 20 amino acids

8 essential amino acids

25 anti-inflammatory substance

4 x more VITAMIN A the Carrots

4 x more Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) than beef liver

4 x more Vitamin E than wheat

4 x more Calcium as milk

15 x more Potassium than banana

25 x more Iron than spinach

6 x more polyphenols than red wine

46 antioxidants

(ORAC value 76,000 is highest known of all plants)

Same Protein as chicken eggs

Moringa helps in fighting MALNUTRITION in Children of developing countries.

However, it has been found that the leaves are the most nutritious of all. While this is true, another part of the moringa tree is taking over the limelight – that is the seeds.

What is the nutritional profile of moringa?

The overall nutritional content of the tree is no doubt very impressive. It contains important vitamins and minerals that are essential not just in keeping the body healthy, but also in preventing and treating certain forms or types of diseases.

Some of the vitamins and minerals present in the moringa leaves are as follows:

Calcium

Copper

Folate

Iron

Magnesium

Phosphorus

Potassium

Zinc

Vitamin A

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

V0 Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

Vitamin D

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone)

Description

(1)Moringa flowers, (2) Moringa pollens, (3) Tree and bark and roots (4) Moringa oleifera pods/seeds, (5) Foliage of Moringa oleifera.

M. oleifera is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that can reach a height of 10–12 m (32–40 ft) and trunk diameter of 45 cm (1.5 ft). 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 tripinnate leaves.

The flowers are fragrant and hermaphroditic, surrounded by five unequal, thinly veined, yellowish-white petals. The flowers are about 1.0–1.5 cm (1/2") long and 2.0 cm (3/4") broad. They grow on slender, hairy stalks in spreading or drooping flower clusters which have a length of 10–25 cm.

Flowering begins within the first six months after planting. In seasonally cool regions, flowering only occurs once a year between April and June. In more constant seasonal temperatures and with constant rainfall, flowering can happen twice or even all year-round.

The pod is a hanging, containing the three-sided brown capsule of 20–45 cm size which holds dark brown, globular seeds with a diameter around 1 cm. The seeds have three whitish papery wings and are dispersed by wind and water.

In cultivation, it is often cut back annually to 1–2 m (3–6 ft.) and allowed to regrow so the pods and leaves remain within arm's reach.

Taxonomy

French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck described the species in 1785. Moringa derives from a Tamil word, murungai, meaning "twisted pod", alluding to the young fruit. The species name is derived from the Latin words oleum "oil" and ferre "to bear". A combined analysis of morphology and DNA shows that M. oleifera is most closely related to M. concanensis, and the common ancestor of these two diverged from the lineage of M. peregrina.

 Cultivation

The moringa tree is grown mainly in semiarid, tropical, and subtropical region, it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.3 to 7.0), well-drained sandy or loamy soil. In waterlogged soil, i.e.(Clay soil), the roots have a tendency to rot. Moringa is a sun- and heat-loving plant, and does not tolerate freezing or frost.

Moringa is particularly suitable for dry regions, as it can be grown using rainwater without expensive irrigation techniques.

Parameter Requirement/Range Climate,

·         It grows best in tropical or subtropical

·         Altitude 0 – 2000 m

·         Rainfall 250 – 3000 mm

·         Irrigation needed for leaf production if rainfall < 800 mm

·         Soil Type Loamy, sandy, or sandy-loam

·         Soil pH pH 5 – 9

Amongst its many wonders; “the seeds” used for water purification

The seed cake remaining after oil extraction, is used as a fertilizer and also to purify well water and to remove salt from seawater.

The tree never seize to amaze me, the seed cake, obtained as a byproduct of pressing seeds to obtain oil, is used to filter water using flocculation to produce potable water for animal or human consumption. 

Moringa seeds contain dimeric cationic proteins which absorb and neutralize colloidal charges in turbid water, causing the colloidal particles to clump together, making the suspended particles easier to remove as sludge by either settling or filtration. 

Moringa seed cake kills most impurities from water. This use is of particular interest for being nontoxic and sustainable compared to other materials in moringa-growing regions where drinking water is affected by pollutants. ! This is why it is a miracle tree!

Other uses

It may be used as forage for livestock, a micro-nutrient liquid, a natural antithetical, and possible adjuvant.

Moringa.

The moringa tree, called “nebedaye” in several African languages, was first discovered around 2000 BCE. The name means “never die.” The tree is believed to have originated in India and then eventually spread to various parts of the world. It has been identified by 400 different names.

Why people call moringa a miracle tree?

Here are 23 reasons or benefits it’s called miracle or magical tree

6 Science based Drumstick Benefits on your Health

1. Drumstick Nutritional Value is very high

2. It is a potent Antioxidant

3. Drumstick leaves can lower blood sugar levels

4. Drumstick vegetable (Moringa Oleifera) can reduce inflammation.

5. It can lower cholesterol levels in the blood

6. Its Seeds protects against Arsenic toxicity

Drumstick Leaves Benefits

1 Anti-diabetic and hormone balancing properties:

2 Fights Free Radical Damage and protects your skin:

3 Good for your heart

4 Good for teeth and bones:

5 Reduces Inflammation:

6 Benefits of drumstick during pregnancy

7 Drumstick benefits for male

8 Drumstick Leaves Juice Benefits

9. Drumstick Powder Benefits

10 Drumstick Leaves Nutritional Benefits

11. Drumstick Leaves for Weight Loss

12 Drumstick Leaves uses for High Blood Pressure

13 Drumstick Leaves for Hair

Drumstick flower Benefits

1. Supports Healthy Bones

2. Anti-Bacterial Properties

3. Supports Health skin

4. Purifies Blood

5. Supports Digestion

6. Anti Fungal Properties

7. Helps in Weight Management

8. Supports Brain health

9. Mood Enhancer

10. Drumstick benefits for men

11. Supports Sexual Health

Drumstick Seeds Benefits

Conclusion: Drumstick Vegetable is truly Magical, Isn’t the miracle tree a load of incredible health nutrients? Just add fresh or dried leaves to any of your dishes and strengthen your body and mind. It is not an essential nutrient but a herbal supplement.

So, there is no recommended dosage of drumstick as of now. As claimed by many studies the optimum calculated dosage is 29 mg per kilogram me of body weight.

As it is a natural source of nutrients, it is more bio available than the other form of supplements. It doesn’t take much to grow a tree either.

It requires only 8 months with marginal soil and a little water and a bit of care, off course. What are you waiting for? Plant a drumstick tree right away, make it a part of your daily food and have a healthy life forever.

1. Due to isothiocyanates, seeds have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties.

2. It protects against some effects of arsenic toxicity.

3. Drumstick seed oil is used to treat anti-fungal problems, arthritis.

4. Due to its non-sticky and antioxidant properties, drumstick seed oil makes an excellent skin moisturizer.

5. It is an excellent water purifier.

6. Drumstick seed oil acts as an excellent moisturizer and natural cleanser without making the skin oily.

7. Drumstick has natural antibacterial and anti-fungal compounds that protect your skin from various forms of infections. The light nature of drumstick oil (also called bean oil) unclogs the skin pores and lifts up the dirt, thus protects your skin from acne and pimples.

8. Drumstick oil is useful to detoxifying the body of harmful substances including heavy metal toxins.

9. Drumstick seeds contain isothiocyanates which are known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

10. The drumstick seeds help men as a sexual virility drug.

In short : 
• Moringa represents an available source of essential nutrients and proteins during the all year. It’s a strong immune booster. 
• It is a mean to cure and prevent malnutrition in infants, pregnant and lactating women 
• Moringa produces more leaves during the rainy season which correspond to the hunger period 
• Moringa is easy to grow, process and add into the meal (tea, relish, soup,…) 
• Moringa dried powder can be sold in local markets (Giwa, Shika Samaru-Zaria , …)