Botanical name : Moringa oleifera
Order: Brassicales
Family: Moringaceae
Genus: Moringa
Location:
Moringa is an important crop in India, Ethiopia, the Philippines and the Sudan, and is being grown in West, East and South Africa, tropical Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Florida and the Pacific Islands. Moringa oleifera is the economically most valuable species and is native to South Asia, where it grows in the Himalayan foothills but is widely cultivated across the tropics. Nine species occur in eastern Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, and Somalia, of which eight are endemic to Africa.
Description:
Moringa also called drumstick tree is a genus of shrubs and trees with multi-purpose uses: its leaves, roots and immature pods are consumed as a vegetable. All parts of the moringa tree – bark, pods, leaves nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers – are edible. The leaves are used fresh or dried and ground into powder. The seed pods are picked while still green and eaten fresh or cooked. Moringa seed oil is sweet, non-sticking, non-drying and resists rancidity, while the cake from seed is used to purify drinking water. The seeds are also be eaten green, roasted, powdered and steeped for tea or used in curries.
How to plant:
Moringa trees grow easily from seeds or cuttings. They grow quickly even in poor soil and bloom 8 months after planting.
To grow from a cutting:
After the trees have stopped producing fruits each year, branches need to be cut off so that fresh growth may take place. These branches are excellent for growing new trees.
1. Make a cutting at least 1" (2.5cm) in diameter and at least six feet (1.8m) long.
2. Dig a hole 3 ft. (1m) x 3 ft. (1m) and 3 ft. (1m) deep.
3. Place cutting in this hole and fill with a mixture of soil, sand and composted manure. Pack firmly around base of the cutting. Form a slight dome or cone shape, sloping down away from the cutting. It is desirable that water not touch the stem of the new tree.
4. Water generously, but do not drown the cutting in water.
In India, the custom is to put some cow dung on top of the open end of the cutting. This is an excellent way to protect the cutting from pests.
To grow from seed:
Moringa seeds have no dormancy periods and can be planted as soon as they are mature.
It is best to plant the seeds directly where the tree is intended to grow and not transplant the seedling. The young seedlings are fragile and often cannot survive transplanting. To plant seeds directly in the ground:
1. Choose an area with light and sandy soil, not heavy with clay or water-logged.
2. Dig holes 1 ft (30 cm) square and 1 ft deep. Back-fill the holes with loose soil. Compost or manure will help the tree grow better, even though Moringa trees can grow in poor soils.
3. Plant 3 to 5 seeds in each hole, 2 in. (5 cm) apart. Plant the seeds no deeper than three times the width of the seed (approximately ½ in. or 1.5 cm -- the size of one's thumbnail).
4. Keep the soil moist enough so that the top soil will not dry and choke the emerging saplings, but it should not be too wet or else the seeds can drown and rot.
5. When the saplings are four to six inches tall, keep the healthiest sapling in the ground and remove the rest. Termites and nematodes can kill a young sapling. Take measures to protect saplings from these two dangers.
Note: If the soil is heavy, dig a larger hole of up to 3 ft (90 cm) in diameter and 3 ft deep, and backfill with 1 part sand and 2 parts original soil. Added compost or manure will help.
Varieties:
Thirteen Moringa species are known:
M. oleifera
M. arborea
M. borziana
M. concanensis
M. drouhardii
M. hildebrandtii
M. longituba
M. ovalifolia
M. peregrina
M. pygmaea
M. rivae
M. ruspoliana
M. stenopetala
Nutritional benefits:
It’s like growing multi-vitamins at your doorstep.
Chromium Copper Iron Magnesium Manganese Phosphorus Potassium Protein Zinc Vitamin A Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin C Calcium
Moringa seeds:
The seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant are among the most nutritious and useful botanical products available. These versatile seeds can be used in a variety of ways including as medicinal and herbal remedies, as nutritional supplements and for industrial and agricultural purposes. Moringa seeds are edible in both fresh and dried forms and, along with the seed pods that contain them, can be prepared in numerous ways as both food and medicine. The medicinal properties of the moringa seed are well documented in the scientific literature and are further supported by the experiences of generations of traditional Ayurvedic practitioners.
While many parts of Moringa Oleifera trees are deemed useful, the seeds are especially prized for their medicinal powers. The seeds have valuable properties that enable them to treat a wide array of illnesses and conditions. The National Charity for Organic Growing has studied the efficacy of Moringa Oleifera seeds as a medial treatment and found that they provide legitimate relief for many medical problems. These include rheumatism, gout, sexual transmitted diseases, urinary infections, boils, and even epilepsy. When used as medicine, the seeds are pounded and mixed with coconut oil. Often, seed oil derived from the Moringa Oleifera seeds will be used in place of the mashed seeds
Benefits of Moringa oleifera:
Boosts energy levels
Improved digestion
Improved immune system function
Improved mood
Lower blood pressure
Protects the stomach lining
Treats stomach ulcers
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