DID YOU KNOW?

Moringa oleifera Lamk is called by different names, depending on the language of the region where it grows. In English, it is better known as a horseradish or drumstick tree.

Moringa is a tropical and drought-resistant tree. It’s commonly seen in Asia, Africa, and South America. The tree rises to prominence due to its incredible health benefits. Some of its parts are used as a home remedy for many ailments.

Much has been said of its uses in my previous post. But nothing is mentioned about the tree’s physical characteristics. And so, I thought of enumerating here the key features of moringa for the sake of those unfamiliar with it.

So, here we go:

  • Moringa grows up to 8 meters or less in height. Thus, it’s considered a small tree.
  • The tree’s trunk is characterized by corky bark and soft white wood.
  • Its leaves are alternate, usually thrice pinnate, and spreads around 25-50 centimeters long.
  • Around 3-9 leaflets grow on the ultimate pinnules. These leaflets are thin and ovate to elliptic in shape. They usually extend 1-2 centimeters long.
  • Its flowers are white and 1.5-2 centimeters long on spreading panicles.

Moringa Oleifera Cultivation

Moringa oleifera grows well at lower elevations. Although it may also survive on areas with an altitude of 1,300 meters. But it thrives most on fertile, well-drained sandy loans. It also does well in both wet and seasonal conditions.

The flowers of Moringa oleifera.

Uses of Moringa Oleifera

When it comes to uses, the locals in the tropical regions are never short of it. Perhaps, the list is endless if we try to enumerate them all. Nevertheless, here is a handful of them.
  • The young fruits or pods are used as one of the ingredients in their curry recipe.
  • When the yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.) is not available, moringa pods make a good veggie substitute
  • Stewed fruits, however, cannot be eaten whole. Its peel is tough. But rural folks suck its contents out.
  • Moringa leaves and flowers are edible. They may cook them as vegetable or soup ingredient. Fried seeds taste like groundnuts.
  • Its roots and bark are used in medicinal applications.
  • Moringa leaves are proven efficient at reducing glandular swellings. Rural folks make a poultice out of the leaves and apply it on the affected areas.
  • A decoction of the roots is used for cleaning sores and ulcers.
  • The bark is used as a rubefacient to the bites of snakes. Its purpose is to prevent the poison from spreading.
  • Locals add the juice of moringa roots to milk to ease hiccups, asthma, gout, lumbago, and rheumatism.
Meanwhile, moringa trunks make good fence material. Locals also use it as a shade tree in home gardens, and support for their pepper vines.

Moringa as Food Ingredient

In the Philippines, moringa oleifera is a common ingredient in many recipes, including Tinolang Manok. It’s a boiled chicken soup with malunggay. Malunggay is the local term for moringa.
Tinolang Manok is the common favorite soup of many Filipinos.

Read also
Malunggay: An Efficient Autoimmune Disease Buster

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