Malunggay (Moringa): The Drugstore in Your Backyard

Scientific name: Moringa oelifera

Malunggay (Moringa) leaves was once considered a "poor man's vegetables" but now it is known as a "miracle tree" or "nature's medicine cabinet" by scientists and health care workers from around the world because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an effective remedy against many kinds of ailments. It is also called "drugstore in your backyard"

All parts of the malunggay tree are usable for nutritional and medicinal purposes - from the roots, trunk, and branches to the leaves, flowers, and seeds. The leaves are famous vegetable ingredient in soup, fish and chicken dishes. The roots are used to make tea, while the trunk, after it's scraped and squeezed for its juice is used to clean wounds.

The trees can be found in countries of Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. These plants are "low maintenance," requiring little to no care. You can plant the branches and it will grow on its own.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health is already promoting Malunggay (Moringa) to malnourished and poor family. So that they can get the right nutrients needed by their body even without buying costly foods.

Health Benefits:

- helps strengthens the immune system.

- helps restores skin condition, controls blood pressure, relieves headaches and migraines.

- helps strengthen the eye muscles.

- helpS heal inflammation of the joints and tendons.

- prevents intestinal worms.

- helps increase semen count.

- helps normalize blood sugar level therefore preventing diabetes.

- it has anti-cancer compounds (phytochemicals) that help stop the growth of cancer cells.

- helps relax and promotes good night sleep.

- used to treat fever and asthma.

- help heals ulcers.

- it is high in calcium (four times the calcium in milk), therefore lactating mothers are advised to consume malunggay leaves to produce more milk for their babies.

- contains three times the potassium in bananas.

- contain four times the vitamin A in carrots.

- An ounce of malunggay has the same Vitamin C content as seven oranges.

- contain two times the protein in milk.

- Moringa seed is used to clean dirty or polluted water.

Malunggay Medicinal Benefits

It is expensive if you get sick. We need to spend thousands to pay for our health. With the re-discoveries of malunggay (moringa) and its therapeutic effects more people can save now to sustain healthy life.

It is said to be helpful for curing about 300 diseases,sickness and different illness because of its immense natural nutrients.

Many research and studies has been made and show significant report.

Malunggay is said to be beneficial to health by:

1. Strengthening the immune system.

2. Restoring skin condition.

3. Controlling the blood pressure.

4. Handling headaches and migraines.

5. Reducing imflammations and arthritis.

6. Managing diabetes sugar level.

7. Exterminating parasites in the intestines.

8. Fighting other infections such as gum infection,prostate infection and even hairfall.

9. Further studies stated that it is effective on supporting cancer treatments too.

Below are other therapeutic claims associated to Malunggay (Moringa):

* Antimicrobial/Biocidal

o Anti-Bacterial

o Anthelmintic

o Bronchitis

o Common cold

o Dental Caries/Toothache

o Earache

o Epstein-Bar Virus (EBV)

o External sores/Ulcers

o Fever

o Helminthes or parasitic Worms

o Hepatic (Hepa A or B)

o Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1)

o HIV AIDS

Malunggay has vitamins and minerals contents that may work as an immune stimulant to help people diagnosed and control the condition of a person with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or are HIV-positive.

o Infection

o Syphilis

o Throat infection

o Trypanosomes

Trypanosomes are parasites which manage to escape man`s immune response.

o Typhoid

o Urinary Tract Infection

o Warts

o Asthma

* Cancer Therapy/Protection

o Anti-Tumor

o Prostate

o Radio Protective

o Skin cancer

* Circulatory/Endocrine Disorders

o Anti-Anemic

o Anti-Hypertensive

o Cardio tonic

o Diabetes/Hypogclycemia

o Diuretic

o Hepatorenal

o Hypocholestemia

o Thyroid

* Detoxification

o Scorpion bite

o Snakebite

* Digestive Disorders

o Colitis

o Diarrhea

o Digestive

o Dysentery

o Flatulence

Flatulence is the emission of a mixture of gases called 'flatus' present in the intestine.

o Ulcer/Gastritis

* Inflammation

o Arthritis

o Joint pain

o Rheumatism

* Nervous Disorders

o Anti-spasmodic

o Epilepsy

o Headache

o Hysteria

* Nutritional

o Anti-nutritional factors

o Antioxidant

o Carotenoids

o Energy

o Goitrogen

o Iron Deficiency

o Protein

* Vitamins/Minerals Deficiency

A deficiency of any one of vitamins and minerals nutrients can lead to health problems.

Some of the problems caused by deficient diets are well known:

o Vitamin A Deficiency can cause intestinal and respiratory infection, poor hair quality, eyeball pain, poor eyesight, night blindness and xerophthalmia

o Vitamin B 1 Deficiency can cause easy fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, impaired memory and ability to concentrate, beri-beri.

o Vitamin B 2 Deficiency can cause bloodshot or tired eyes, inflammation and ulcers on the tongue and lips, hair loss, vertigo, slow-learning and insomnia.

o Vitamin C Deficiency can cause bleeding and inflammation of the gums, loosening of the teeth, weakness, lassitude and scurvy.

o Vitamin E Deficiencies in children can result in irritability, water retention and hemolytic anemia. In adults, deficiencies can cause lethargy, apathy, lack of concentration, muscle weakness, irritability and decreased sexual interest.

o Carbohydrates Deficiency can cause the body to divert proteins and body fat to produce needed energy.

o Calcium Deficiencies can cause rickets, bone pain and muscle weakness.

o Copper Deficiencies in babies can cause depigmentation of skin and hair, slow growth and diarrhea. In adults it can result in anemia, irritability, brittle bones, loss of hair color and loss of sense of taste.

o Iron Deficiency can cause anemia, tiredness, headaches, insomnia and palpitations. In children, deficiency can cause slow growth and impaired mental performance.

o Magnesium Deficiencies can result in weakness, tiredness, vertigo, convulsions, nervousness, cramps and heart palpitations.

o Phosphorus Deficiency can lead to loss of appetite, weakness, bone pain and mental confusion.

o Potassium Deficiencies can cause vomiting, acute muscle weakness, loss of appetite and coma.

o Proteins Deficiency can cause growth retardation, muscle wasting, kwashiorkor and edema (abnormal swelling; collection of fluids in the body).

The leaves are outstanding as a source of vitamins A and, when raw, vitamin C. They are also a good source of B vitamins and among the best plant sources of minerals.

* Reproductive Health

o Abortifacient

o Aphrodisiac

o Lactation Enhancer

* Skin Disorders

o Antiseptic

o Rubefacient

Rubefacient is a substance that irritates the skin and causing redness.

o Vesicant

* General Disorders/Conditions

o Catarrh

Catarrh is an inflammation of mucous membranes, especially of the nose and throat.

o Gout

o Hepatamegaly

It is the condition which means you have an oversized or enlarged liver.

o Lactation

o Low back/Kidney pain

o Scurvy and Tonic

o Splenomegaly

You can eat malunggay (moringa) leaves together with your favorite dish or drink capsules. Another option would be Malunggay (Moringa) Tea which is available in the market. For home grown trees. The leaves can be processed and made into capsules for daily personal consumption.

Process on how to make malunggay (moringa) powder:

1. Harvest the leaves of Malunggay (Moringa). Place in a winnow or a net to air dry the leaves. Let it hang on a airy place but not under the sun. Placing the leaves under the sun will cause it to discolor.

2. After 2 or 3 days depending on the weather, you can check the leaves if its already crispy. Then cook the leaves for about 2 minutes in a frying pan.

3. Pound or ground the leaves until it turns to powder. 

4. Now you can either put it in an empty gel capsule, which is available in drugstores or you can use it as tea.