Moringa Leaves

Moringa leaves in a bundle

Its botanical name is Moringa oleifera. It is called drumstick tree because of the shape of its fruits. It is called horseradish tree because its root tastes like horse radish. It is also called ben oil or benzoil tree because of the oil extracted from the seeds of the tree. This tree is relatively unheard of in the western world. It grows copiously in sunny areas in the tropics and subtropics.

Moringa drumstick pods

Because of the high nutrition content in the moringa plant food, the tree is called ‘tree of life’, ‘wonder tree’, ‘the magic tree’, and so on. Moringa is a hardy plant requiring very little attention.

Over the past 10 years more than 100 NGOs have helped in planting more than 100 million plants in the African region alone. This was done to alleviate severe malnutrition in that region.

Moringa leaf

Only now the moringa leaves powder has reached the developed world and has proved to be a big hit. Hopefully this will bring some economic relief also to the poverty stricken lands.

Moringa leaves can be dried in a dehydrator or an oven at 50 to 55 degrees centigrade until the leaves become very brittle. Moisture content should be less than 10%, otherwise it may become mouldy. The dried leaves can be powdered in a coffee mill or a similar grinder. Sieve the powder with a fine mesh of 0.5 mm diameter. The powder can be stored in the refrigerator for future use. The powder can be made into a drink by mixing with water, tea by adding hot water or added to soups and gravy.

Moringa seed powder is used as a flocculent in water purification process. When the seed powder is added to the water it binds with the impurities in the water and sedimentation of solid particles (seed powder and insoluble impurities will sediment to the bottom of the tank. The water from the top of the tank is then passed through a slow sand filter tank. Removal of solid impurities reduces the frequency of cleaning of filter surface.

Moringa leaves have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. In the countries where moringa grows well people have used the leaves as folk medicine to relieve skin infection, treat wounds and cuts and even to stop headache.

The fruit and the leaves are cooked and eaten. Moringa leaves are a rich source of ascorbic acid, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E low levels of oxalates. They provide nutrients that protect the eyes, bones, heart, blood and skin.

Moringa flowers are very fragrant and are used in the manufacture of cosmetics and moisturizers. Moringa flowers are also used as cold remedy, to ease urination and increase mother’s milk.

Moringa leaves can be used as fertilizer because if their rich nitrogen content. They also prevent pests and fungal growth in plants.



Nutrition value for 100 grams of moringa leaves
Moisture % 79.2
Oxalic Acid 431.6 mg
Fibres 0.90 g
Carbohydrates 12.5 g
Protein 6.7 g

Calories 92

Minerals

Iron 0.26 mg
Phosphorous 70 mg
Calcium   440 mg  
Potassium   259 mg  
Copper 0.07 mg
Iron 0.85 mg
Magnesium 42 mg
Zinc 0.16 mg

Vitamins

Vitamin A   6.78 mg  
Vitamin C   220 mg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.06 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.05 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.8 mg
Vitamin E 448 mg

Amino Acids

Arginine 406.6 mg
Histidine 149.8 mg
Isoleucine 299.6 mg
Leucine 492.2 mg
Lysine 342.4 mg
Methionine 117.7 mg
Phenylalinine 310.3 mg
Threonine 117.7 mg
Tryptophan 107 mg
Valine 374.5 mg

Vitamin C - 7 times that of orange
Vitamin A - 4 times of carrot
Calcium - 4 times that of milk
Potassium - 3 times that of banana
Protein - 2 times that of yoghurt
Antioxidants:  46 types of antioxidants are found in leaves
Amino acids – 18 types of which 10 are essential amino acids. This makes it a complete protein.
Source: USDA

Here is a documentary on Youtube on miracle tree by Discovery Channel

Other moringa recipe:
Moringa Leaves Sothi  - Moringa Leaves Coconut milk Soup
Mild Moringa Drumstics and Raw Plantain Curry
Moringa leaves stir-fry
Moringa Fried Rice