India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, and is also cultivated in Central America and parts of Africa
Colors
Green when young turning to greyish when mature
Shapes
Long, pointed and triangular cross-section fruits, up to 1-2 cm broad, often 30-50 cm long, up to 120 cm long
Taste
Taste more like asparagus
Calories
42 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients
Vitamin C (127.22%)
Vitamin B5 (16.54%)
Total dietary Fiber (13.16%)
Manganese (12.35%)
Magnesium (11.90%)
Health benefits
Improves Nervous and Immune system, Fights cold and flu, For strong bones, Pregnancy and Lactation, Avoids infection, Digestive Disorders , Lung problems, Excellent iron tonic, Glowing skin, Impotency, Tonic for Children, Urinary Disorders, Increases Bone Density, Reduces Cancer Level, Reduces Intestine Tumor or Ulcer, Improves Vision of Eye and Retina,Reduces Ladies Period Cramps, Uterus Fibroid, Asthma, Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Beneficial for Brain Injury, Improves Digestion problem, Reduces Diabetic Level, Makes Gall Bladder Healthy, High acidic Urine (Dysuria)
The drumstick is an extremely well-known veggie, cultivated in several regions of India. It’s got excellent therapeutic values and high nutrition content. It is cultivated in several other countries of world, yet mainly it is cultivated in India & Pakistan. The drumstick is popular, mostly because of its gentle and sensitive pods. It’s got numerous extraordinary benefits, like being an anti-bacterial and detoxifier.
The drumstick tree is evergreen, slim and medium sized tree, which grows upright, features a big canopy of branches, and produces arcs. It got fruits that appears like drumsticks (therefore its title), and in addition white flowers. The leaves are spherical in shape which are also edible. Drumsticks are often prepared in the same manner as beans, yet feature a somewhat distinct flavor, just like the flavor of asparagus.
History of Drumsticks
Drum sticks have been utilized from last 5000 years in India like a day-to-day item throughout its season time. Nowadays it’s been noticed individuals who got their own houses they take chance to grow this particular plant. Essentially in case you look at the past record in very old edition encyclopedia of New Standard Encyclopedia you will understand, years back this tree is initially from Northern part of India and Russia. Later on these plants were taken up to southern parts of India. Later it absolutely was seen in other areas of Asia countries. Gradually whole Africa, South America, North America, and several parts of Europe were seen with this plant. Growing of the plant isn’t so complicated however this tree stems is extremely weak and simply broken due to excessive quantity of gum in branches. Drum stick branch could be cultivated by cutting and drafting. On other hand it may be cultivated by its seeds also. Only important things is that, you need to keep watering the plant right until its full grown to 8, 9 feet. Essentially fully grown trees reach to the height of 30 to 40 feet. They got really small leaves.
Drumstick, as everyone knows is also referred to as Moringa oleifera or even horseradish tree. It’s really a ‘yard stick’ for health, as it is known to be very therapeutic for the human health in one way or another. This particular veggie offers all type of nutritional advantages and in addition cures numerous health conditions. Drumstick, from the stems, leaves and seeds are recognized to have got therapeutic qualities. Here are some health advantages of drumsticks:
1. Fights cold and flu
Drumsticks are recognized to have a great content of Vitamin C. And if you’re experiencing low because of cold as well as sore throat, have drumstick soup to get comfort immediately. Drumstick leaves are commonly known to get therapeutic qualities and is also beneficial in dealing with asthma, wheezing and other respiratory system difficulties.
2. For strong bones
The green vegetable features large quantities of iron, Vitamins and calcium. Drumsticks are recognized to offer healthy and strong bones and are also believed to purify the blood. Drumstick pods and leaves particularly are said to be the blood purifier. For better outcomes have smashed drumstick leaves along with milk.
3. Pregnancy and Lactation
Using this tonic on a regular basis by pregnant women will supply them with essential calcium, iron and vitamins. Drumstick pods and leaves help them get over slowness of the uterus, help easy delivery reducing post-delivery problems. A vegetable prepared from leaves boosts breast milk soon after giving birth. The vegetable is prepared by boiling the leaves with salt. The water is then drained off and they’re smeared together with ghee and eaten.
4. Avoids infection
Drumsticks have a superior content of anti-bacterial qualities and are also valuable in avoiding infections within the throat, chest, as well as skin. Drumstick pods, leaves and also flowers are utilized in preparing soups since they are anti-biotic naturally. It may also be utilized in dealing with fungal skin ailment.
5. Digestive Disorders
Drumstick is additionally useful for digestive complaints. A teaspoonful of fresh leaf juice, combined with honey plus a glassful of tender coconut water is offered 2 or 3 times like a herbal medicine throughout the management of cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, colitis and jaundice.
6. Lung problems
This veggie cum herbal plant is extremely great at dealing with asthma and various other lung associated difficulties. The steam water of drumstick vegetable is generally breathed in throughout the lung problem, which yields extremely helpful outcomes within couple of days.
7. Excellent iron tonic
The juice extract of the helpful herbal plant is regarded as a great tonic for young kids. This particular tonic helps you to reinforce the Bones and in addition cleans the blood. For pregnant as well as feeding mothers, this is a great tonic since it contains all of the important components just like calcium, iron, and vitamins etc.
8. Glowing skin
The juice of drumstick pods is extremely useful in improving the glow as well as shine of the face. Usually, it is combined together with lime juice and is particularly quite effective in getting rid of acne, blackheads, pimples and other skin diseases.
9. Impotency
The powdered type of this excellent veggie is utilized to prevent impotency, semen thinness, as well as early ejaculation etc. It also turns out to be extremely helpful for treating the problem of sexual debility and enables in the better operating of the male along with Female Sterility.
10. Tonic for Children
The leaves function as a tonic for babies as well as growing kids. For better results, juice needs to be obtained from leaves, filtered and combined with milk. This mix becomes a fantastic tonic for strong and healthy bones as well as for cleansing bloodstream.
11. Urinary Disorders
A tablespoonful of coagulated fresh leaf juice, combined with a glass of fresh juice of cucumber or carrot, is an efficient medication for scanty urination as well as continuous burning in urethra because of higher acidity of urine. A teaspoonful of the juice along with 10 gm. of rock salt once daily is utilized for stopping extreme urination of non-diabetics.
12. Increases Bone Density
After consuming drumstick regularly for just two months it’s been proven that it raises density of bones. This is extremely great for growing up kids.
13. Reduces Cancer Level
Constant ingesting of drumstick and its leaves decreases the probability of creating cancer by 80% and it has been proven females who are victim of breast cancer recover fast out of this sickness.
14. Reduces Intestine Tumor or Ulcer
Intestine tumor or even ulcer could be decreased and lots of tests have been carried out in past that was optimistic in lessening size of ulcer just by offering drumstick extract.
15. Improves Vision of Eye and Retina
It enhances the vision of eye additionally clears the toxins through the retina that boosts the lifetime of retina.
16. Reduces Ladies Period Cramps
Drumstick leaves soup whenever taken constantly for 21 days; it changes the cycle of period in ladies which will help in cutting the cramps.
17. Uterus Fibroid
It lowers the size of cist on uterus; therefore it will help in lessening the pain underneath the naval in ladies. In certain villages still this method is utilized by middle aged woman’s to cut back the pain sensation in abdomen.
18. Asthma, Bronchitis, Tuberculosis
Person needs to prepare the soup from leaves of Drum stick twice daily as well as take in fresh soup. This helps to make lungs powerful eliminates the toxin through the lungs that are settled due to smoking cigarettes or even heavy industry air pollution.
19. Beneficial for Brain Injury
Drumstick and its leaves are extremely helpful for all those kind of head injury. Even doctors suggest patients to get this after going through operation on brain.
20. Improves Digestion problem
After consuming the leaves and drumstick for specific time period, it will help interior organ to operate effectively. As kidney lever function enhances, it will help intestine to boost the quality of gastric juice. It will help in Digestion problem.
21. Reduces Diabetic Level
In 1982 few experiments were carried out in Tamil Nadu on 36 diabetics. Out of which 30 individuals demonstrated optimistic outcome of decreasing sugar level within blood.
22. Makes Gall Bladder Healthy
It will help in enhancing the function of gall bladder, which really helps diabetes individuals to decrease the sugar score. Those who are not diabetic it assists them to keep their gall bladder healthy and balanced.
23. High acidic Urine (Dysuria)
Eliminate the extract from drumstick leaves or even best practice to grind leaves in carrot juice and also take in 300 ml each 6 to 10 hours. Also start the toxin free process to eliminate bacteria or even virus through the body. It provides excellent result. In couple of days’ time acid in urine minimizes.
24. Improves Nervous and Immune system
It has been demonstrated in past continues ingesting of drumstick assist person enhance the defense mechanisms and in addition observed that individual is quite healthy with no cold or even viral fever. Somewhat boost in blood hemoglobin have been also documented recently.
More about Drumsticks
This tree can be found in the backyards of homes across the world, mostly in South India. A typical tree, it features a large amount of values.
Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) is actually a broadly grown variety of healing plant which has been noted for its therapeutic qualities since a very long time. It belongs to the plant family Moringaceae and also the genus Moringa. This particular variety of plant is grown within the semi-arid, exotic and also subtropical regions of the entire world. It really is fast developing as well as extremely nourishing and therefore, features a number of uses. Indigenous to the southern foothills of the Himalayas, within the north-western zone of India, drumsticks are now broadly grown within the African continent and Middle East too. The plant is generally very slim, having an average height of approximately 10 meters. The branches are sagging and also the pods of the plant can be used for various functions.
Buying Tips
Whilst purchasing drumsticks on the market, you need to bear in mind the following advice:
The drumsticks have got little lumps, that are because of the pods within. It is best to avoid purchasing those ones that have somewhat bigger bumps as well as major greater attenuations between these bumps. They are older drumsticks, and may even taste bitter in comparison to the younger fresher ones.
Try to choose greenish skinned drumsticks, particularly those with a smooth skin.
If you’re making the right choices whilst purchasing, along with several practice and knowledge you easily can, then you could get crunchier as well as tastier seeds to munch on.
Storage
Drumsticks are usually saved by wrapping them in a plastic bag or even paper to make sure they’re fresh and also dry. It really is usually kept in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, to help keep it fresh a bit longer time. However, as usual, the faster it really is eaten, the fresher it will likely be, and also the better it’ll taste.
Culinary Usage
The soft pods of the drumsticks are utilized broadly within the preparation – “sambhar”, that is extremely popular in South India. However, there are certainly other distinctive recipes, a typical one being adding it within your soup, including a typical Asian flavor to it. A number of the culinary uses of drumsticks are:
They are extremely delicious, and boost your urge for food.
Sometimes, they’re cut longitudinally into fine strips, and also cooked along with spicy gravy as well as chilly.
If you’re out for the formal meal, drumsticks might be served by breaking it open, and you’ve got to consume the inner soft pods with the aid of your spoon. It’s really a delicacy. Throughout your family dinners, your teeth can certainly do the work of the spoon, since you don’t need to be so formal. Usually the pods are consumed, whilst the outer skin is discarded.
Drumsticks can also be used just for garnishing, simply by chopping them into tiny pieces.
The soft sensitive green pods are occasionally also utilized in various other preparations, even with meat.
Appetizing, whenever cut peeled and into finger lengths as well as cooked in spicy gravy.
At a formal meal, the shell of the piece of drumstick is split open along with spoon and fork, and the spoon utilized to scrape out the tasty interior with its entire scrumptious flavor. During family meals the preferred technique is to get the section of drumstick using the fingers as well as scrape away the soft center using the teeth. The woody exterior is additionally chewed to extract flavor and after that discarded to the side of the plate.
Sambhar created using lentils as well as veggies is regarded as the loved side dish for rice or dosas or even idli’s in southern India.
Sliced, young green pods may be used in tasty as well as meat dishes.
Though many wish to stick to its use within curries, sambhar, kormas, and dals, it’s a big surprise veggie, which also tends to make tasty cutlets, etc.
Tender drumstick, perfectly chopped, makes an outstanding garnish for just about any veggies, dals, sambhar, salads, etc.
If the pulp needs to be scraped out after cooking the sticks, then keep the pieces so long as 4-5 inches long. Also don’t scrape the skin just before boiling. This will assist to hold and scrape them easier along with lesser mess.
Caution
Drumstick vegetable features a large numbers of health advantages however you must not take its roots powder as well as extracts without consulting your health care provider simply because several toxic chemicals can be found in the roots and extracts, which might result in paralysis and also death in some instances.
Drumstick Facts
Drumstick scientifically known as Moringa oleifera is a small, fast-growing, drought-deciduous tree or shrub growing up to 8-10 m tall, sometimes to 12-18 m. The plant grows well in stream banks, pond sides, dry river beds, hollows or anywhere with increased access to water and prefers alluvial, light or sandy soils, but it will grow in a variety of soils. Apart from drumstick it is also known as Horseradish tree, Benzolive tree and Ben oil tree. Because of its higher nutritional value and wonderful it is now grown throughout the world.
Name
Drumstick
Scientific Name
Moringa oleifera
Native
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, and is also cultivated in Central America and parts of Africa but is cultivated around the world.
Common Names
Horseradish tree, Drumstick tree, Benzolive tree, Ben oil tree
Name in Other Languages
English: West Indian ben, ben-oil-tree, Benzoil Tree, benzolive-tree, moringa drumsticktree, horseradish-tree, Ben tree, Behn tree, Behen tree, Benzolive tree (USA), Drumstick, Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree, Coatli, Indian-mulberry, maranga, Moringo, Oil of ben tree, The Horse-Radish Tree, Arabic: Al-ban, Alim, Halim (Sudan), Habbah ghaliah, Rawag (Sudan), Ruwag (Sudan), Shagara al ruwag (Sudan), Shagara al ruway (Sudan). Assamese: Sojina. Bambara: Anamambo (Mali), Anamorongo (Mali), Feliimorongo (Mali), Felikambo (Mali), Felikamoranga (Mali), Landihazo (Mali), Moringa, Moringy (Mali), Névrédé, Nebadaye Bengali: Munga ara, Saajanaa (Sajna), Sojna, Sojne danta, Sujana. Burmese: Daintha, Dandalonbin, Dan da lun, Dan da lun bin. Chinese: La mu ( 辣木) Chamorro: Katdes, malungay, marunggai Czech: Moringa olejná. Cambodia: Mrum’ Cuba: Ben; moringa; palo jeringa; paraiso francés; tilo francés Egypt: Shagara al rauwaq Danish: Behennødtræ, Behen Dutch: Benboom, Peperwortel boom. Filipino: Malungai, marungai Gujarati: Midho saragavo, Saragavo, Saragvo, Seeng ni phali, Suragavo. German: Meerrettichbaum, Behenbaum, Behennussbaum, Pferderettichbaum. Finnish: Ceyloninmoringa French: Ben ailée, moringa ailée, Mouroungue, néverdié, pois quénique, Ben ailé, Ben oléifère, Nevedie, acacia blanc, moringa oleifère, Fulah: Gawari, Nebedayo, Nebéday Hausa: Bagaruwar maka (Nigeria), Bagaruwar masar (Nigeria), Barambo, Danga, Koraukin zaila (Nigeria), Mágurua maser (Togo) , Rimin nacara (Nigeria), Rimin turawa (Nigeria), Samarin, Shipka hali (Nigeria), Shuka halinka (Nigeria), Zogalagandi (Cameroun), Zôgala gandi (Niger), Zogalla-gandi (Nigeria), Zogale. Hindi: Munagaa( मुनगा), Munga ara, Munuga, Muranka, Muruggai, Sahijan(सहिजन) , Sahjan (सहजन) , Sanjna (संजना) , Sahunajaa (सहुनजा), Shajmah, Shajna(सहजना) , Segra, Senjana(सेंजन) , Shekta, Sekta ni sing, Soanjna, Suhujna, Sainjna, soanjna, suhujna, Hebrew: מורינגה מכונפת Hungarian: Lóretekfa Italian: Been, Bemen Indonesia: kelor Japanese: Marungai (マ ルンガイ), Mo ringa oreifera (モ リンガ・オレイフェラ) Marunga oreifera, Wasabi no ki (ワサビノキ) Kannada: Nuggaeekayee, Nuggekayee. Khmer: Daem mrom, Daem mrum. Kenya: Mzunze Laos: ‘Ii h’um Malaysia: Gemunggai; meringgai Laotian: B’loum. Malagasy: Anamambo, Anamorongo, Feliimorongo, Felikambo, Felikamoranga, Landihazo, Moringa, Moringy. Malay: Kachang kelur, Kelor (Bali, Java), Kalor (Indonesia), Lemunggai, Meringgai, Remunggai , Sajor kelor, Semunggai, Smunggai, Semunggai, Tjelor (Bali). Malayalam: Moringa, Morunna, Muringa, Muringai, Muringakka (fruit), Murinna, Sigru. Marathi: Shevga(शेवगा) , Shevga chi seeng, Shivga, Sujna. Mandinka: Nebedayo Myanmar: Dandalonbin; dan-da-lun Nigeria: Alim; halim; okwe oyibo Nusa Tenggara: Marunga Nepalese: Sajiwan, Sitachini, Swejan. Oriya: Munigha, Sajana, Saijna, Sajina, Shajna, Soandal, Sujuna. Persian: درخت ترب اسبی Thai: Marum Malay: Meringgai Palauan: Malungkai Portuguese: Moringueiro, muringueiro, Acácia branca, Moringa, Quiabo-da-quina Pular: Guilgandeni, Latjiri, Leggelmeleke, Legi-lakili, Punjabi: Saajinaa, Sanjina, Soanjana. Philippines: Malungay; malunggai; malunggay; murunga kai Russian: Moringa oleifera (Моринга олейфера) , Moringa maslich (Моринга масличная). Sanskrit: Danshamula, Shobhanjana, Sigru Shobhanjan, Sobhan jana. Sereer: Mbum, Nebaday Swedish: Pepparrotsträd Sinhalese: Moo rin guu (moh-RIN-guh) , Murunga (bean / pod), Murunga gasa (tree), Murunga kolaya, Murunga kolle (leaves). Spanish: Árbol del ben, Arbol do los aspáragos, Arbol de las perlas (Mexico), Arbol do los aspáragos, Babano del arbo, Ben, Jacinto (Panama), Jasmin francés, Jazmin francés (Puerto Rico), Maranga, Maranga calalu (Honduras), Marango (Costa Rica, Nicaragua), Palo de aceite ( Dominican Republic), Palo de abejas (Dominican Republic), Paraíso, Paraíso blanco (Guatemala), Paraíso de Espana (Mexico), Perla de la India (Mexico), Perlas del oriente (Mexico), Perlas (Guatemala), Resada (Puerto Rico). Swahili: Mboga chungu (Tanzania), Mjungu moto (Tanzania), Mlonge (Kenya), Mlongo (Kenya), Mronge (Kenya), Mrongo (Kenya), Mlongo (Kenya), Mzunze (Kenya), Mzungu (Kenya) Shingo (Kenya). Senegal: Ben alle; neverdaya Thailand: Ma rum; makhonkom; marum; phakihum Tagalog: Kalungai, Kamalungua, Malongai, Malungai, Malunggay talbos, Mulangai, Mulangay, Mulanggay, marronggai Somali: Mirongo Tamil: Morunga, moringa, முறுங்கை Murungai, முருங்கை Murunkai , முருங்கை மரம் Murungai maram (tree), Murunkak kai, Murungamaram, Sohajna Telegu: Mulakkaya, Mulana, Munaga, Sajana, Tella munaga. Thai: Ka naeng doeng (กาแน้งเดิง), Ma khon kom (มะค้อนก้อม), Ma rum (bean / pod) (มะรุม), Phak i huem (ผักอีฮึม), Phak i hum (Phak eehuem), (ผักอีฮุม), Phak nuea kai (ผักเนื้อไก่), Phak ma rum (leaves)( ผักมะรุม) , Se cho ya (เส่ช่อยะ). Urdu: Sahajna. Vietnamese: Chùm ngây. Visayan: Alungai, Dool, Malungit, Kamunggay. Wolof: Benaile, Boom, Nebedayo, sap-sap Yoruba: Adagba malero (Nigeria), Ewé igablé (Benin), Ewé igbalé (Nigeria), Ewé ilé (Benin, Nigeria), Ewe igbale (Nigeria), Ewé oyibo (Benin), Idagbo monoyé (Nigeria), Oyibo.
Plant Growth Habit
Small, fast-growing, drought-deciduous tree or shrub
Growing Climate
Grows well in stream banks, pond sides, dry river beds, hollows or anywhere with increased access to water
Soil
Prefers alluvial, light or sandy soils, but it will grow in a variety of soils
Plant Size
Often 8-10 m tall, sometimes to 12-18 m
Bark
Smooth, light colored or greyish-green bark.
Leaf
Petiolate, 3-pinnate, 25-60 cm, with stalked glands often exuding clear or amber liquid at base of petiole and leaflets
Leaflets
Leaflets in 4-6 pairs, ovate, elliptic, or oblong, 1-2 x 0.5-1.2 cm, puberulous when young but glabrous at maturity, base rounded to cuneate, apex rounded to emarginate; petiolules slender, 1-2 mm
Flower
Sweet-scented flowers, cream white, arranged in panicles, with 5 unequal petals slightly larger than the sepals, yellow dots at the base, petals narrowly spathulate, veined, white, bracts linear, calyx 5-lobed, linear-lanceolate, reflexed, puberulous outside, 5 stamens, fertile alternating with 5-7 staminodes, filaments villous at the base, ovary 1-celled, oblong, villous, ovules many, style slender
Fruit Shape & Size
Long, pointed and triangular cross-section fruits,up to 1-2 cm broad, often 30-50 cm long, up to 120 cm long
Fruit Color
Green when young turning fibrous and greyish when mature
Taste
Taste more like asparagus
Seed
Sub globose, 3-angled, 8-15 mm in diam. excluding wings; wings 0.5-1 cm wide, rarely absent”
Plant Parts Used
Root bark, stem bark, leaves, fruits and seeds
Health benefits
Improves Nervous and Immune system
Fights cold and flu
For strong bones
Pregnancy and Lactation
Avoids infection
Digestive Disorders
Lung problems
Excellent iron tonic
Glowing skin
Impotency
Tonic for Children
Urinary Disorders
Increases Bone Density
Reduces Cancer Level
Reduces Intestine Tumor or Ulcer
Improves Vision of Eye and Retina
Reduces Ladies Period Cramps
Uterus Fibroid
Asthma, Bronchitis
Tuberculosis
Beneficial for Brain Injury
Improves Digestion problem
Reduces Diabetic Level
Makes Gall Bladder Healthy
High acidic Urine (Dysuria)
Calories in 1 cup (118 gm)
42 Kcal
Major Nutrition
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 114.5 mg (127.22%)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.827 mg (16.54%)
Total dietary Fiber 5 g (13.16%)
Manganese, Mn 0.284 mg (12.35%)
Magnesium, Mg 50 mg (11.90%)
Potassium, K 539 mg (11.47%)
Copper, Cu 0.092 mg (10.22%)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.132 mg (10.15%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 35 µg (8.75%)
Phosphorus, P 58 mg (8.29%)
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Extracts from leaves, bark, seed pods, and pulp are used in a variety of folk medicine treatments, either given by mouth or as a topical agent applied to the skin.
Products derived from the herb are used to treat a variety of conditions including asthma, diabetes, ulcers, infections and cancer.
Leaf and seed extracts of Moringa oleifera were shown to stop the growth of bacteria that cause diarrhea.
Moringa leaves are considered to be a panacea for malnutrition because of their rich nutrient content.
M. oleifera extracts have been recorded as a treatment for a range of ailments including mouth sores, rheumatism, diabetes, venomous bites, scurvy, heart problems and skin disorders.
Juice extract of drumstick leaves and bark are very useful in relieving pain.
Paste of moringa leaves is applied externally to relieve pain and inflammation.
It is applied over pile mass to relieve pain and itching.
Leaves are used internally to improve eye sight.
Leaves paste applied externally, or used as vegetable helps to relieve headache.
Its seed powder, in the form of nasya treatment cures headache.
Moringa flowers are useful in intestinal worms. It balances Pitta and kapha.
Oil prepared with Moringa is useful to relieve headache, pungent, useful in skin diseases and diabetes.
Soup prepared from leaves is helpful in treating menstrual cramps.
Cooked leaves if taken daily for 3 weeks removes or flushes out all the toxins from the body.
Roots are used as gargle for painful gums and throat problems.
Roots are ground into paste and applied over glandular swellings.
Bark powder is used in treatment of Epilepsy.
Culinary Uses
Leaves and seed pods are consumed as food.
Leaves are very nutritious with a taste resembling watercress and are sometimes eaten as a salad or in soups.
In African countries, moringa leaves are used as a flavoring, and can be added to meat preparations.
Dried leaves can be used as tea and also as a pot herb in the preparation of soup and porridge.
Green pods are boiled as green beans, called ‘sambhar’ in south India where it is an essential ingredient in a local dish, and are a valuable addition to the diet especially during the dry season when the pods are available.
Green seeds are shelled and eaten as peas.
Flowers can be made into a drink.
Roots are edible, with the mashed, peeled root producing a seasoning similar to the true horseradish sauce.
Other Facts
Leaves are fed as mulch to animals to increase their milk yield.
They assist nitrogen fixation in the soil when used as manure.
M. oleifera is grown in home gardens, as a hedging plant in and around fields and as a shade tree.
It is also used for supports for vine crops such as pepper.
Seed contains oil which is used by perfume makers for its ability to absorb and retain fragrance and for making cosmetics and soaps.
Resulting oil press-cake is not suitable as a feed due to high levels of saponin and alkaloids, but can be used as a mineral-rich fertilizer.
M. oleifera produces a mucilaginous exudate gum which is used for a large variety of uses, such as seasoning, medicine for stomach ailments, tanning leather and in calico printing where it replaces ‘tragacanth’ gum.
Bark is used for preparing fibers for rope making.
Crushed leaves have even been reported as a cleaning agent for cooking pans and walls.
Leaves act as mulch and improve soil nutrition.
Flowers are valuable bee forage.
Leaves, pods, flowers and small twigs are a useful fodder for cattle, sheep, goats, camels, poultry and even fish.
Precautions
Lab studies have indicated that parts of the plant, especially the bark and the pulp, may be harmful in large doses.
Moringa oleifera may interfere with or increase the potency of other drugs.
M. oleifera bark may cause contractions in the uterus, and has been used to induce abortion in some cases.
Alkaloids in M. oleifera can lower blood pressure and slow heart rate.
MO bark can cause uterine contractions.
Phenylacetonitrile isolated from roasted MO seeds can cause cell mutations.
MO extracts may have antifertility properties.
MO leaves increased the risk of liver and kidney damage in rats.
Pods of some varieties are bitter and may be harmful if eaten in large quantities.
People with gastritis or sensitive stomach should use this vegetable carefully.
It is not ideal to be taken during periods, since it increases Pitta and vitiates blood.
It is also not ideal to be taken during bleeding disorders.
