Utilizing Malunggay for Nutrition and Health

Malunggay (Sajina or Moringa) plant grows in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and other regions of the Far East. The plant is sometimes referred to as nature’s medicine cabinet and a miracle vegetable or horseradish tree for its root taste. The plant grows in hot tropical climates, deserts and living rooms. Moringa has sprouts of flowers, appear eight months during the year. These flowers are edible when cooked (taste like mushrooms) or used to make tea, containing calcium and potassium. A seed or cut branch can grow into a fifteen – foot tree in a year. The rugged plant can grow in drought conditions, and withstand overly acidic, alkaline, and salty soil. The dozen known species of Malunggay has different known characteristics, grown in different parts of the world. In Madagascar Moringa has blue fungus, grown in Mexico has green cactuses, and in Oman appears as bubous tree. The bark of the tree sometimes used to make mats and rope. The leaves taste like spinach (Contains three times the iron of spinach. Also, a Moringa dried leaf has over ten times more nutrients than a fresh Moringa leaf, confirmed by universities and independent research laboratory analyses.), and its fruit produces a vegetable, like asparagus. Both contain Vitamin C (seven times more than found in oranges) and other minerals. Sajina contains seven times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges, four times as much calcium as milk (A substitute for whole milk powder.) and three times the potassium of bananas. Moringa has quadruple amount of beta Carotene found in carrots, which is good for eyesight, and effective against treating cancer.

The Moringa plant provides nutrition for healthy skin (Provide healing benefits for cuts, scrapes, rashes, and cracking signs of aging.), bone, muscle development, medicinal properties, enriches anemic blood (An extract from Moringa leaf has been shown to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels within three hours of ingestion. The effects increased with larger doses.), in Africa nursing mothers have been shown to produce more milk when Moringa leaves have been added to their diet, and natural source of energy supplement. Also, University laboratories around the world have shown Moringa ability to purify water. The process by which, it attaches itself to harmful material and bacteria. Afterwards, waste is expelled. Doctors use it to treat diabetes in West Africa and high blood pressure in India. Other known health benefits include: Strengthening immune system, blood pressure controlled, reducing arthritis pains and inflammations, restricting the growth of tumors, managing diabetes sugar level, and treating headaches and migraines. Malunggay contains the phytochemical niaziminn, found to have molecular components that can prevent the development of cancer cells. The edible parts of Malunggay (leaves, pods, and flowers) are served with meals or converted to a powder, used as a food supplement. Moringa provides excellent source of fuel and fertilizer. The plant contains for human consumption very low fat and carbohydrates. Roots of Moringa are used to treat sore throat and effective treating gingivitis (Inflammation of the gums around the teeth).

Many organizations around the world and researchers study Malunggay. Since 1984, Wichita Kansas based Trees for Life been planting Sajina in impoverished places including a Twon in India of 40,000 residents, providing an improved structured diet. Researchers at the Britain University of Leichester is studying the coagulating properties of the seeds, found in the Moringa pods, believe to work better than known water purifier aluminum sulfate, which can be toxic. International Eye Foundation based in Bethesda Maryland, is using Maringo to treat childhood blindness, attributed to seventy percent lacking vitamin A. The National Science Foundation, National Geographic Society and Ander Mellon Foundations is financing, the collection of thirteen known species of Moringa. Published studies in the journal Phytotherapy Research and HortScience discovered different Moringa parts to be effective in lowering blood sugar, reducing swelling, lowering blood pressure, healing gastric ulcers and calming the nervous system.

Moringa contains nutrients attributed that are lacking, causing diseases such as Beri beri, rickets, and scurvy. Three spoonfuls of Moringa leaf powder contain these nutrients: Vitamin ‘A’ – 272%, protein – 42%, calcium – 125%, iron – 71% and Vitamin ‘C’ – 22%.

Reported in September 2006, Japanese businessman Mitsuo Shoji has developed a tea made from Malunggay plant. Contains antioxidants, amino acids vitamins and minerals for healthy nutritional supplement. In a Bible passage: “tree that cures all diseases.” The tea distributed by Yumeshoji Trading Corporation. According to Shoji, people suffering from chronic diseases should consume at least 3.5 grams of the powdered tea. Also, he mentioned those who take Moringa Condensed Powder may experience a “slight to moderate discomfort” depending on their health status.

Moringa is available for purchase at Indian cuisine stores selling pickled Moringa green pods as drumsticks (Most valued and widely used part of the tree.). The website Seedman.com sell Moringa seeds, which can be grown in any container. Also, available for purchase at Carter Seeds: (760/724 – 4750).