Moringa: The herbal gold to combat malnutrition

Abstract

This document is aimed to describing the potential benefits of the Moringa tree as a nutrient. Moringa tree
can be utilized in treating the malnutrition in a local and cost-effective manner. Malnutrition causes a great
deal of human suffering and is associated with more than half of all deaths of children worldwide. Malnutrition
severely affects the socio-economic development of a nation because a work force that is stunted both
mentally and physically may have a reduced work capacity. Thus nutrition plays an important role in the
reproduction of poverty from one generation to the next. Not only is the Moringa oleifera tree extraordinary in
that all parts of the tree are edible, but the most amazing aspect of the tree is its exceptionally high nutritional
value. The leaves of the Moringa tree are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin B vitamin C and other
minerals. The leaves are also an outstanding source of calcium, protein, potassium and iron. The content of
amino acids such as methionine and cystine is also high. Carbohydrates, fats and phosphorous content are
low making this one of the finest plant foods to be found. Present review focuses on the potential benefits of
Moringa oleifera in treatment of malnutrition

Full text

Vol. 2 | Issue 3 | Jul-Sep 2011 Chronicles of Young Scientists
 119 
Moringa: The herbal gold to combat malnutrition
Abstract
This document is aimed to describing the potential benefits of the
Moringa
tree as a nutrient.
Moringa
tree
can be utilized in treating the malnutrition in a local and cost-effective manner. Malnutrition causes a great
deal of human suffering and is associated with more than half of all deaths of children worldwide. Malnutrition
severely affects the socio-economic development of a nation because a work force that is stunted both
mentally and physically may have a reduced work capacity. Thus nutrition plays an important role in the
reproduction of poverty from one generation to the next. Not only is the
Moringa oleifera
tree extraordinary in
that all parts of the tree are edible, but the most amazing aspect of the tree is its exceptionally high nutritional
value. The leaves of the
Moringa
tree are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin B vitamin C and other
minerals. The leaves are also an outstanding source of calcium, protein, potassium and iron. The content of
amino acids such as methionine and cystine is also high. Carbohydrates, fats and phosphorous content are
low making this one of the finest plant foods to be found. Present review focuses on the potential benefits of
Moringa oleifera
in treatment of malnutrition.
Key words:
Deaths of children, high nutritional value, malnutrition, plant foods
Introduction
There are several herbs of nature which help in restoring
the balance of body and maintaining good health. But a
single moringa tree can provide leaf for nutrition, oil for
cooking and healthy skin, seed cake for water purification
and wood to build shelter and keep you warm. Moringa
oleifera is the most widely cultivated pan-tropical species
of a monogeneric family, the Moringaceae, which is native
to the sub-Himalayan tracts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
and Afghanistan. Moringa oleifera is known by such regional
names as benzolive, drumstick tree, kelor, marango, mlonge,
mulangay, nébéday, saijhan, and sajna [Figure 1].
The history of Moringa dates back to 150 B.C. Historical
proofs reveal that ancient kings and queens used Moringa
leaves and fruit in their diet to maintain mental alertness
and healthy skin. Ancient Maurian warriors of India were
fed with Moringa Leaf Extract in the warfront. The Elixir
drink was believed to add them extra energy and relieve
them of the stress and pain incurred during war. These
brave soldiers were the ones who defeated “Alexander”
the Great.”[1,9,10] There are 13 varieties of Moringa, Moringa
Oleifera is the most well known. Every part of this tree is
edible, from the leaves, trunks, stems, all the way down
to its root. The flowers can be eaten or used to make tea
and provide good amounts of both calcium and potassium.
The young pods can be cooked and reportedly have a taste
reminiscent of asparagus. The green peas and surrounding
white material can be removed from larger pods and cooked
in various ways.
Growing/ecology
Moringa tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions.[4]
It will tolerate extremely high temperatures in the shade and
can survive a light frost. The drought-tolerant tree grows
well in areas that receive annual rainfall amounts ranging
Ram Chand Dhakar, Sheo Daa Maurya, Brijendra K. Pooniya1,
Narendra Bairwa1, Manisha Gupta2, Sanwarmal2
Department of Pharmacy, IEC-CET, KP-I, G. Noida,
1Department of Pharmaceucal Sciences, MLS University, Udaipur,
2HIMT College of Pharmacy, Greater Noida, India
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Ram C. Dhakar,
Department of Pharmacy, IEC Group of Instuon,
KP-I, Greater Noida – 201 308, India.
E-mail: dhakar_rc@yahoo.co.in
Access this article online
Website:
http://www.cysonline.org
Quick Response Code
DOI:
10.4103/2229-5186.90887
Review Article
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Dhakar, et al.: The herbal gold to combat malnutrion
between 250 and 1500 mm. It prefers a well-drained sandy
loam or loam soil, but tolerates clay. Moringa is planted
either by direct seeding, transplanting, or using hard stem
cuttings.
Harvesting
Leaves can be harvested after plants grow 1.5 to 2.0 m,
which usually takes 3 to 6 months. They are harvested by
snapping leaf stems from branches or by cutting the entire
branches 20 to 40 cm above the ground. Older leaves need
to be stripped from their tough and wiry stems. These leaves
are more suited to making dried leaf powder, since stems can
be removed during the sifting process. For fresh vegetables
the leaves must be harvested early in the morning and sold
the same day. Flowers and pods are produced during the
second year of growth. The pods are harvested when young,
tender and green. The pulp and immature seeds of older
pods remain edible until shortly before the ripening process
begins.[4]
Contribution to rural and social development
Virtually every part of the tree is beneficial in some way
and both rural and urban people depend on it for their
livelihood. Depending on the purpose and quantity, Moringa
is grown in nurseries, as a community project, or on a small
scale at the family level. It can function as windbreaks,
for land erosion control, live fences, as an ornamental, or
intercropped to provide semi-shade to species requiring
less direct sunlight. One theme surrounding the cultivation
and use of Moringa is the risk that the species may alter
the land and its living systems. However, according to a
recent study, a crucial transition must take place whereby
destructive farming practices must be replaced by new
and improved cultivation methods which raise Moringa
without destroying natural systems on which agriculture
ultimately depends. In fact, the effective development
and management of Moringa can indeed contribute to
sustainable growth and poverty reduction in developing
countries. But for this to take place, a balance must be
found between the short-term needs of the people for
their social and economic development and the protection
of the natural resource base.[11]
Moringa as a nutrient source
In developing tropical countries, Moringa trees have been
used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants
and nursing mothers.[12,13] Three non-governmental
organizations in particular - Trees for Life, Church World
Service and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization
- advocate Moringa as “natural nutrition for the tropics.”
The immature pods are the most valued and widely used
of all the tree parts. The pods are extremely nutritious,
containing all the essential amino acids along with many
vitamins and other nutrients. The immature pod can be
eaten raw or prepared like green peas or green beans, while
the mature pods are usually fried and possess a peanut-like
flavor. The pods also yield 38 to 40% of non-drying, edible
oil known as Ben Oil. This oil is clear, sweet and odorless,
and never becomes rancid. Overall, its nutritional value
most closely resembles olive oil. The thickened root is
used as a substitute for horseradish although this is now
discouraged as it contains alkaloids, especially moriginine,
and a bactericide, spirochin, both of which can prove fatal
following ingestion. The leaves are eaten as greens, in
salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles and for seasoning.
They can be pounded up and used for scrubbing utensils
and for cleaning walls. Leaves and young branches are
relished by livestock. The Bark can be used for tanning
and also yields a coarse fiber. The flowers, which must be
cooked, are eaten either mixed with other foods or fried in
batter and have been shown to be rich in potassium and
calcium [Tables 1-4].[14-18]
Moringa as a source of vitamins and minerals
Not only is the Moringa oleifera tree extraordinary in that
all parts of the tree are edible, but the most amazing aspect
of the tree is its exceptionally high nutritional value. The
leaves of the Moringa tree are an excellent source of vitamin
Table 1: Moringa nutrition content[15]
Nutrition
analysis
Pods
(per 100 g)
Fresh leaves
(per 100 g)
Dried leaf
(per 100 g)
Moisture % 86.9 75 7.5
Calories 26 92 205
Protein (g) 2.5 6.7 27.1
Fat (g) 0.1 1.7 2.30
Carbohydrates (g) 3.7 13.4 38.2
Fiber (g) 4.8 0.9 19.2
Minerals (g) 22.3 –
Calcium (mg) 30 440 2003
Magnesium (mg) 24 24 368.0
Phosphorous (mg) 110 70 204.0
Potassium (mg) 24 24 1324
Copper (mg) 3.1 1.1 0.6
Iron (mg) 5.3 0.7 28.2
Oxalic Acid (mg) 10 101 0.0
Sulfur(mg) 137 137 870
Figure 1: Various parts of Moringa Oleifera[1-8]
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Vol. 2 | Issue 3 | Jul-Sep 2011 Chronicles of Young Scientists
 121 
Dhakar, et al.: The herbal gold to combat malnutrion
Table 2: Vitamin and mineral content of Moringa [16,17]
Vitamin content
(per 100 g)
Fresh leaves Dried leaves
Carotene (Vit. A) mg 6.78 18.9
Thiamin (B1) mg 0.06 2.64
Riboavin (B2) mg 0.05 20.5
Niacin (B3) mg 0.8 8.2
Vitamin C mg 220 17.3
Calcium mg 440 2,003
Calories cal 92 205
Carbohydrates g 12.5 38.2
Copper mg 0.07 0.57
Fat g 1.70 2.3
Fiber g 0.90 19.2
Iron mg 0.85 28.2
Magnesium mg 42 368
Phosphorus mg 70 204
Potassium mg 259 1,324
Protein g 6.70 27.1
Zinc mg 0.16 3.29
Table 4: Percentage of the recommended daily
allowance of various nutrients
Nutrition component % RDA
Parent Child
Protein 21 42
Calcium 84 125
Magnesium 54 61
Potassium 22 41
Iron 94 71
Vitamin A 143 272
Vitamin C 9 22
Supplied to a nursing mother and a 1 to 3 year old child by Moringa
leaf powder (6 tablespoons per day for a nursing mother;
1 tablespoon three times per day for a 1 to 3 year old child)[17],
RDA: Recommended daily allowance
Table 3: Moringa protein content[15]
Amino acid content
(per 100 g)
Pods Fresh
leaves
Dried leaf
powder
Arginine (mg) 360 406.6 1325
Histidine (mg) 110 149.8 613
Lysine (mg) 150 342.4 1325
Tryptophan (mg) 80 107 425
Phenylalanine (mg) 40 310.3 1388
Methionine (mg) 140 117.7 350
Theroine (mg) 390 117.7 1188
Leucine (mg) 650 492.2 1950
Isoleucine (mg) 440 299.6 825
Valine (mg) 540 374.5 1063
A (four times the amount in carrots), the raw leaves are
rich in vitamin C (seven times the amount in oranges), and
they are also a good source of vitamin B and other minerals.
Vitamins and Minerals are required for everything from
building our physical bodies to blood coagulation and energy
production. As a source of nutrients and vitamins, Moringa
leaves rank among the best of perennial tropical vegetables.
Moringa as a source of protein
Moringa trees are known to overcome protein deficiency
in developing countries as the leaves and other parts of
the tree contain high amount of crude proteins and amino
acids compared with soy bean. Moringa is an excellent non-
animal source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.
Moringa leaves contain all of the essential amino acids,
which are the building blocks of proteins. It is very rare
for a vegetable to contain all of these amino acids And
Moringa contains these amino acids in a good proportion,
so that they are very useful to our bodies. Moringa leaves
could be a great boon to people who do not get protein
from meat. Moringa even contains arginine and histidine
two amino acids especially important for infants. Arginine
and histidine, are especially important for infants who
are unable to make enough protein for their growth
requirements. Experts tell us that 30% of children in sub-
Saharan Africa are protein deficient. Moringa could be an
extremely valuable food source.[1,9,19-24]
Moringa as a source of essential fatty acids
The other nutrients required for optimal cellular health are
the essential Fatty Acids. As strange as it may sound, there
are good fats that actively help create good health. These are
the now-famous omeg-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Nutritional application of Moringa
A large number of reports on the nutritional qualities of
Moringa now exist in both the scientific and the popular
literature. Moringa has been in use since centuries for
nutritional as well medicinal purposes. Moringa Leaves are
full of essential disease-preventing nutrients. Moringa is a
natural, whole-food source for vitamins, minerals, protein,
antioxidants, and other important compounds that your body
relies on to stay healthy.[3,25-28] Micronutrient deficiencies are
now recognized as an important contributor to the global
burden of disease. Moringa is an alternative to imported
food supplies to treat malnutrition in poor countries.
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. Leaves were also used for food
fortification.[1,1-21,29,30]
In 1997-98, Alternative Action for African Development
and Church World Service tested the ability of Moringa
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Vol. 2 | Issue 3 | Jul-Sep 2011
Chronicles of Young Scientists  122 
Dhakar, et al.: The herbal gold to combat malnutrion
leaf powder to prevent or cure malnutrition in pregnant or
breast-feeding women and their children in southwestern
Senegal. Malnutrition was a major problem in this area,
with more than 600 malnourished infants treated every
year. During the test, doctors, nurses, and midwives were
trained in preparing and using Moringa leaf powder for
treating malnutrition. Village women were also trained in
the preparation and use of Moringa leaf powder in foods.
Result had indicated that children maintained or increased
their weight and improved overall health, pregnant
women recovered from anemia and had babies with higher
birth weights and breast-feeding women increased their
production of milk.[1, 11] Pollution, pesticides and numerous
other particles bombard us every day. These are just some of
the free radicals which we now know are so destructive. The
only protection against free-radical damage comes in the
form of Antioxidants.
Treating malnutrition with Moringa
Ideally, good nutrition should be assured by a varied diet
rich in meat, root, grain, fruit and vegetable foods. In reality,
for a majority of the world’s population such variety in food
is unaffordable or seasonally unavailable. Within the arid
countries of the African Sahel, for example, the dry seasons
are marked by a heavy dependence on the staples of rice,
millet and sorghum; during these months, fruits and greens
can be found only in a few irrigated garden plots. And in
virtually every year there is a lean period when grain stores
have been exhausted one to three months prior to the new
harvest. Elsewhere in the tropics, meals are generally built
around one staple food rich in carbohydrates but very poor
nutritionally, such as a pap or fufu made from yam, maize
or manioc. Malnutrition is frequently characterized by this
kind of restricted diet wherein a child consumes the same
weaning pap every day. In this context, Moringa is a very
simple and readily available solution to the problem of
malnutrition. The edible leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree
are already an occasional food source throughout West
Africa and other regions of the tropics and sub-tropics.
Micronutrient deficiencies are now recognized as an
important contributor to the global burden of disease.
Iodine deficiency in pregnancy has long been linked to
intra-uterine brain damage and possible fetal wastage.
Currently, although more than two billion people live in
areas that used to be iodine-deficient, it is estimated that
iodine deficiency is the cause of only 0.2% of the global
burden of disease. Iron deficiency also affects about two
billion people. Recent estimates find that iron deficiency
anemia is responsible for one fifth of early neonatal mortality
and one tenth of maternal mortality. Iron deficiency also
reduces cognitive development and work performance. Iron
deficiency is the cause of about 800,000 deaths and 2.4% of
the global burden of disease.[31,32]
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) harms the eyes and increases
childhood and maternal mortality. Globally, 21% of children
have VAD and suffer increased rates of death from diarrhea,
measles, and malaria. The importance of zinc deficiency is
being increasingly recognized. Trials have shown that zinc
supplementation results in improved growth in children,
lower rates of diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia, and
reduced child mortality. In total about 800,000 child deaths
per year are attributable to zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency
is the cause of 1.9% of global burden of disease. According
to WHO, 19% of the 10.8 million child deaths globally a
year are attributable to iodine, iron, vitamin A, and zinc
deficiencies. Recent estimates indicate that fortification or
supplementation with iron, vitamin A, and zinc are among
the most cost-effective interventions available, even in
areas that are poor or have high HIV infection rates.
However, mild or moderate malnutrition before this
terminal stage is reached is a completely different matter:
the physiological abnormalities are much less severe and
successful recovery can be had through a fully balanced
diet containing all 40 essential nutrients in the correct
proportions. Moringa, added on a daily basis to a child’s
food, has thoroughly demonstrated its ability to bring
about rapid recoveries from moderate malnutrition.
But while successfully treating malnutrition is good,
preventing it is much better. Malnutrition is brought
on by a multitude of causes: lack of education, poverty,
famine, parasites and impure drinking water are some
of them. A program which focuses on correcting micro-
nutrient deficiencies alone will not fully eradicate
malnutrition until these other causes are addressed.
However, as the Moringa project in south-western
Senegal has demonstrated, this approach can show
very impressive results in reducing the incidence of
malnutrition.[33] Moringa is used successfully in combating
malnourishment in children and for its capacity to boost
the immune system, it can be used to complement
modern medicines in chronically ill people including
those suffering from AIDS and HIV related illnesses. It
is also used in traditional medicine for the treatment of
various illnesses including recovery from liver damage. It
is currently being examined as a bio-enhancer of drugs
and nutrients because of its production of compounds
with antibiotic activity.[11,32]
These qualities have made the Moringa oleifera tree a
candidate in the fight against malnutrition. A group of health
workers from the Church World Service have been utilizing
this highly nutritious and fast growing tree as a means to
cure and prevent malnutrition in infants, pregnant and
lactating women as an alternative to the classic and expensive
condiments usually used such as whole milk powder, sugar,
vegetable oil, and sometimes peanut butter. It takes around
ten days to see an improvement in malnourished infants
when Moringa leaves are used whereas it takes months for
recovery with conventional methods. According to Dr. Lowell
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 123 
Dhakar, et al.: The herbal gold to combat malnutrion
Fuglie, the West Africa representative of the Church World
Service who used the Moringa tree as a base for a nutrition
program, “for a child aged 1-3, a 100 g serving of fresh cooked
leaves would provide all his daily requirements of calcium,
about 75% of his iron and half his protein needs, as well as
important amounts of potassium, B vitamins, copper and
all the essential amino acids. As little as 20 g of leaves would
provide a child with all the vitamins A and C he needs”.[19,20]
According to Senegal’s National Center for Nutritional
Alimentation, vitamin A supplementation can reduce the
incidence of childhood illness and mortality due to measles
by 50%, due to diarrhea by 40% and due to malaria by 30%.[34]
On average, vitamin A supplementation programs have
been effective in reducing overall childhood mortality by
34%.[35] To combat VAD, UNICEF is working in collaboration
with national health authorities in many countries through
a program to give every under-five child one massive dose
of vitamin A, in tablet form, twice annually. At the same
time iron supplements are being distributed to pregnant
and lactating women against anemia. Given the impressive
impact on child mortality rates these vitamin A programs
have had, they would appear to be a good idea. However,
an opposing argument claims that this approach, focusing
on specific micro-nutrient deficiencies and relying as it does
on imported products and subsidies, is short-sighted and
ultimately unsustainable.[36]
e advantages of using Moringa in malnutrition
prevention programs
It is a drought-resistant and fast growing tree which is
present in nearly all tropical and sub-tropical countries. Its
edible leaves are already an occasional food source in West
Africa regions and appear at the end of the dry season: a
time when other greens are in short supply. As a source of
good nutrition, its leaves are considered the best of tropical
legumes with its high quantities of vitamin A and significant
quantities of vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein, potassium,
magnesium, selenium, zinc and a good balance of all the
essential amino acids. Also, the leaves can be easily dried into
powder form for use as a nutritional supplement for sauces
or as an addition to infant weaning foods. Moringa leaves
can be produced intensively in a family-size small garden.
The seeds can be spaced as closely as 10 cm apart. When the
plants reach a height of a meter, they can be cut down to a
height of 30 cm. The leaves can be stripped from the stems
and used to prepared sauces or dried for long-term storage
as a nutritious food additive, and the stems fed to livestock.
The stumps survive the harvest and will re-sprout, allowing
another harvest in as little as 50 days. Using this technique,
a Moringa garden can continually produce green matter for
several years with very little labor required.[19,20]
Pregnant/breast-feeding women and Moringa
For pregnant and breast-feeding women, Moringa leaves
and pods can do much to preserve the mother’s health and
pass on strength to the fetus or nursing child. Breastfeeding
mothers in India and the Philippines have traditionally been
urged by their elders to add boiled young leaves of Moringa
to their diet. Although the exact mechanism for this is not
yet fully understood, generations of breastfeeding mothers
have sworn by its lactation-inducing effects. One 100 g
portion of leaves could provide a woman with over one-
third of her daily need of calcium and give her important
quantities of iron, protein, copper, sulfur and B-vitamins.
Moringa is especially useful for children and women who are
anemic due to their menstrual cycles.[16,17]
Antioxidants in Moringa
A combination of antioxidants is more effective than
a single antioxidant on an equal weight basis due to
antioxidant cascade mechanism. Moringa has approximately
46 antioxidants and is one of the most powerful sources
of natural anti-oxidants. Daily intake of Moringa Oleifera
will provide the antioxidant which in turn keeps the body
healthy by preventing the adverse effect caused due to fat
deposition. Anti-oxidants supply the free atoms needed by
the human body and mitigate the effect of free radicals. This
antioxidant property helps in preventing the formation of
malignancy. Moringa leaves are rich in Flavonoids, a class
of anti-oxidants. Moringa has essential micronutrients
with antioxidant activity or directly linked to this process:
selenium and zinc. The major anti-oxidants present are
Quercetin, Kaempferol, Beta-Sitosterol, Caffeoylquinic acid
and Zeatin. Antioxidant plays a major role in controlling the
symptoms of aging process and improves the cardiovascular
health. Additionally, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, present in
Moringa, also function as anti-oxidants. Researches confirm
that the anti-oxidants deliver the desired result, if only
taken with the combination of other essential vitamin
and minerals, which makes health enthusiast to seek after
Moringa.[11,19,20,37]
Moringa and diabetes
Moringa Oleifera is a nutrient plant that can help to maintain
normal blood sugar levels. Moringa Oleifera holds so much
promise for those who suffer from diabetes. This is primarily
because of its many amazing, natural benefits. Moringa
Oleifera has been shown to boost the immune system, which
usually becomes compromised in those who suffer from
type 1 and 2 diabetes. Moringa Oleifera has also been shown
to possess many key anti-inflammatory benefits; diabetes
often causes circulatory problems which can be managed
through anti-inflammatory supplements. There are no
negative side effects associated with Moringa Oleifera use,
meaning that it is a safe, natural way for people to manage
their blood sugar and care for their diabetes symptoms. It
is just one more option for the many people who have to
cope with this serious condition.[38] Unexpected benefits of
Moringa include an apparent cure for tapeworms and help
in controlling diabetes and high blood pressure.[39] Moringa
Oleifera as a rich source of ascorbic acid helps in insulin
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Vol. 2 | Issue 3 | Jul-Sep 2011
Chronicles of Young Scientists  124 
Dhakar, et al.: The herbal gold to combat malnutrion
secretion. It is interesting to note that certain nutrients like
vitamins B1, B2, B12, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, protein
and potassium along with small frequent meals containing
some carbohydrate can actually stimulate production of
insulin within the body. Please consult to your doctor first
before you begin to consume it.[40,41]
Other health benets of Moringa
Relieves arthritis, rheumatism and gout
The oil extracted from Moringa seeds and flowers, called
Moringa oil or ben oil, has anti-inflammatory compounds[42,43]
that help relieve the pain and swelling caused by arthritis,
rheumatism and gout. Just apply the oil over the affected
joint, massage lightly, and leave on for 30 minutes. Making a
decoction from Moringa seeds will also have a similar effect.
You can also roast the seeds, pound them and apply the
pulverized powder over the affected area. Pounded Moringa
roots can also be used as a poultice for pain and swelling.
Relaxes the muscles and cures diarrhea
The roots and leaves of Moringa have been found to
contain antispasmodic compounds that help relax the
muscles.[42-45] Besides helping soothe tired and painful
muscles, this action also helps control the intestinal spasms
characteristic of diarrhea. Studies have shown that Moringa
root extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins that
have anti-dysenteric and anti-diarrheal properties.
Helps with lower back pain
When mixed with milk, the juice from the root of the Moringa
tree has been used traditionally to help ease lower back
pain or lumbago. Studies have shown that certain extracts
of the Moringa root contains analgesics called moringine
and moringinine that may play a role in its efficacy against
lumbago.[42,43]
Protects the liver
The flowers and roots of the Moringa plant contain a
compound called quercetin that is known to protect the liver.
Decoctions from dried Moringa flowers and pounded root
have been traditionally used to help with liver disease.[42,43]
Wards o heart disease
Juice or tea made from Moringa leaves has been found to
help lower high blood pressure. This has been discovered to
be due to the action of compounds called glycosides that are
found in the Moringa leaf. The seeds of Moringa are also rich
in these compounds. The crude extract of Moringa leaves has
also been found to significantly lower cholesterol levels due
to the action of beta-sitosterol. The fruit of the Moringa is
the most powerful when it comes to protecting the heart it
has been found to lower blood cholesterol as well as reduce
fat in the liver, heart and aorta.[42,43]
As an antibiotic
The roots and flowers of the Moringa have a compound
called pterygospermin, a powerful antimicrobial that kills
bacteria and fungi. The leaves and roots of Moringa are also
rich in a compound called benzyl isothiocyanate that have
strong antifungal and antibacterial properties. The bark
of Moringa has also been found to have antibacterial and
antifungal effects. You can make a strong antibiotic wash to
clean wounds from fresh Moringa leaves. To make a strong
dressing, pound fresh leaves and mix with coconut oil, then
spread over the wound.[42,43,46,47]
Relieves sore throat
Because of the Maringa’s excellent antibiotic properties, it is
also used to kill bacteria that cause sore throat. A decoction
of roots is usually used as a gargle to provide sore throat
relief.[29,30]
Eases asthma and hiccups
When mixed with milk, juice from the root of the Moringa
plant can help ease asthma and hiccups.[29,30]
Wards o cancer
Studies have shown that several compounds extracted
from Moringa, namely isothiocyanates, a benzyl carbamate,
niazimicin, and beta-sitosterol have anti-tumor properties
against lung, breast, skin, esophagus, and pancreatic cancer.
These compounds are found in high concentrations in the
leaves and seeds of the plant.[29,30]
Conclusion
The Moringa Oleifera plant is the most inexpensive and
credible alternative to providing good nutrition. Moringa
oleifera is the most nutrient-rich plant yet discovered. Not
only is the Moringa oleifera tree extraordinary in that all
parts of the tree are edible, but the most amazing aspect
of the tree is its exceptionally high nutritional value.
Moringa provides a rich and rare combination of nutrients,
amino acids, antioxidants, anti-aging and -inflammatory
properties used for nutrition and healing. The leaves of the
Moringa tree are an excellent source of vitamin A (four times
the amount in carrots), the raw leaves are rich in vitamin
C (seven times the amount in oranges), and they are also
a good source of vitamin B and other minerals. The leaves
are also an outstanding source of calcium (four times the
amount in milk), protein (twice the amount in milk), and
potassium (three time the amount in bananas). The content
of iron is very good as well and the leaves have purportedly
been used for treating anemia in the Philippines. The
content of amino acids such as methionine and cystine is
also high. Carbohydrates, fats and phosphorous content are
low making this one of the finest plant foods to be found.
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How to cite this article: Dhakar RC, Maurya SD, Pooniya BK, Bairwa N,
Gupta M, S.
Moringa
: The herbal gold to combat malnutrition. Chron Young Sci
2011;2:119-25.
Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared
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