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| MORINGA LEAVES |
Moringa Leaves are small leaves of Moringa/Drumstick Tree. It is a common scene in any South Indian household to plant a Moringa/Drumstick Tree in their kitchen garden. A Moringa/Drumstick Tree is a slender tree with drooping branches with small leaves, white flowers and long pods of drumsticks. In ancient days there was a belief that the leaves, Drumstick(long pods of the tree), the Seeds from the pods, Moringa Flowers, Bark of the tree and the Resin can cure more than 300 ailments. And the tree sticks on to the belief to date. It is exceptionally nutritious tree catering its benefits both as a vegetable and as a medicine and also used in various other forms.
Moringa is a plant that is native to areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is also grown in the Tropics. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine. My Mom had her own tricks to make us eat vegetables. I grew up hearing that Moringa is loaded with Iron and benefits hair growth, gets rid of Anaemia etc., & etc., And during my Postpartum Moringa Leaves and Flowers were in my daily diet. For building up strength, treating Anemia and also helps in secreting breast milk. The Leaves provide expectant mothers with necessary calcium, vitamins, zinc and iron. Calcium required for bone strengthening. Zinc plays a vital role in hair growth and skin health & Iron alleviates Anaemia.
MORINGA/DRUMSTICK TREE - "NATURE'S MIRACLE TREE"
Names of Moringa in Other Languages:
Tamil - Murungai
Malayalam- Muringa.
Kannada - Nugge
Telugu - Mulakkaya
Hindi - Saijan Patha
Marathi - Shevga
Gujarati - Saragvo
Bengali - Sajna Sag
Gujarati - Saragavo
Marathi - Shevaga Pan
Oriya - Sajna Sag
Punjabi - Surajana
Assamese - Sojina
Nepali - Sajiwan or Swejan
Sinhalese - Murunga
Bahasa Melayu - Kelor
MORINGA - NUTRITIONAL VALUE & USES
Moringa is an important food source in most of the Cuisines around the world. It is one tree which can be easily grown and maintained. Moringa Tree is one common plant seen in most of the South Indian households, alongside Curry Leaves Tree. The leaves retain lots of Vitamins and Minerals, it can be used fresh or dried.
Moringa is a good source of Proteins, Vitamins & Minerals. It is also rich in antioxidants which help protect cells from damage. Moringa Leaves are a rich source of Minerals like Iron, Calcium, Potassium, essential Amino Acids and Vitamin A, B & C. It is a good source of dietary fibre too.
Apart from Moringa Leaves, its Pods, Flower and Seeds can also be used. There are even recipes with Moringa/Drumstick Tree Bark. The Moringa Leaves are cooked like Spinach, mostly stir-fried or as Curries. Moringa Leaves are also dried, powdered and used as a Condiment. It is also used to make Tea. The immature green pods (drumsticks) are prepared similarly to green beans, while the seeds are removed from more mature pods and cooked like peas or roasted like nuts. The seed cake remaining after oil extraction is used as a fertilizer and also to purify well water and to remove salt from seawater.
Most of the parts of the Moringa/Drumstick Tree are used either for cooking or as a medicine.
It is commonly used as
- Food
- Oil
- Medicine
- Perfume
- Beauty Products
- Water Purifier
- Cattle Fodder
- Fertiliser
- Natural pesticide
- Machine Lubricant
- Fuelwood and other uses
HEALTH BENEFITS OF MORINGA
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| MORINGA LEAVES |
Moringa has been used as a Natural Medicine for years. Moringa Leaves can treat High Fever, Measles, Asthma. Moringa Pods can increase Sexual Ability. Moringa Bark is used to treat Prostate Tumors and fatigue. Moringa is also widely used in Beauty Care Products. One of the most useful usages of Moringa is that its seeds contain multi-electrolyte compounds which can filter water and hence it is used as a Water Purifier in rural areas. Apart from its various uses, the nutritional value of Moringa caters loads of Health benefits:
Treats Anemia:
Moringa is believed to help a person’s body absorb more Iron and helps in increasing the Red Blood Cell count. Moringa is very helpful in treating and preventing Anemia and is also believed to treat Sickle Cell disease.
Treats High Blood Pressure:
Moringa contains compounds like Isothiocyanate and Niaziminin which proves beneficial to stop Arteries from thickening. This helps in reducing High Blood Pressure.
Regulate Blood Sugar Levels:
Moringa helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as sugar and protein in the urine. Alternatively increasing the haemoglobin levels and overall protein content. Moringa can help regulate blood sugar levels helping to reduce some diabetic symptoms. Grounded moringa leaves are successful at reducing lipid and glucose levels and regulating oxidative stress in diabetic patients, which means it lowers blood sugar and cholesterol and improves protection against cell damage.
Bone Health & Reduces Joint Pain:
Moringa contains Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Vitamin K, which help keep bones healthy and strong. The anti-inflammatory properties of Moringa are believed to help treat conditions such as Arthritis, heal damaged bones, reduce inflammation, pain and swelling.
Treats Edema:
Edema is a painful condition where fluid builds up in specific tissues in the body. The anti-inflammatory properties of Moringa are believed to prevent the development of Edema.
Protects the Liver:
Moringa can protect the liver against damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process.
Preventing and Treating cancer
Moringa extracts contain properties that may help prevent cancer developing. It also contains niazimicin, which is a compound that suppresses the development of cancer cells.
For Skin & Hair
Moringa protects hair against free radicals and keeps it clean and healthy. Moringa contains Protein & minerals like Iron & Calcium which helps to protect skin cell damage. It also contains hydrating and detoxifying elements, which also boost the skin and hair. It can be successful in curing skin infections and sores. Extract of moringa has been shown to help wounds close as well as reduce the appearance of scars.
Treats Bacterial Infections:
Moringa is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, which helps combat infections caused by Salmonella, Rhizopus and E.Coli.
Aids Digestion & Treats Stomach Complaints:
Antibiotic & Antibacterial Properties of Moringa help inhibit the growth of various pathogens & Vitamin B present in Moringa helps with Digestion. Moringa can be used to treat Stomach disorders, such as constipation, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis.
Aids Weight Loss:
Moringa can be effective in reducing and controlling weight gain. Vitamin B present in Moringa helps with smooth and efficient digestion and can assist the body when converting food into energy, as opposed to storing it as fat.
Treats Mood disorders:
Moringa help treat depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
Healthy Heart
The powerful antioxidants found in Moringa extract might help prevent cardiac damage and has also been shown to maintain a healthy heart.
Treating Asthma:
Moringa may help reduce the severity of Asthma attacks and protect against bronchial constrictions. It facilitates better lung function and breathing overall.
Protects against Kidney Disorders:
People who regularly eat Moringa may be less likely to develop stones in the kidneys, bladder or uterus High level of Antioxidants in Moringa helps to reduce the toxicity levels in the kidneys.
Eye Health
Moringa is a good source of Vitamin A and with its Antioxidant properties, Moringa helps to improve eyesight and also is used in treating infants with Vitamin A deficiency. Moringa may stop the dilation of retinal vessels, prevent the thickening of capillary membranes, and inhibit retinal dysfunction.
Treat Malnourishment:
Moringa has been used to treat undernourished children. Malnourishment is a condition caused by poor diet or inability to absorb nutrients into the body. Regular intake of Moringa helps improve the weight facilitating alongside with required Nutrients.
Breast-feeding:
Home remedies suggest that Moringa helps in increasing breast milk production. It is a regular scenario in any South Indian household to induce recipes with Moringa Leaves, Flowers & Pods to Mother's during the postpartum period.
Reduces Symptoms of Menopause:
Regular intake of Moringa by women during Post-menopause period has proven beneficial in easing up the menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and sleeping disorders.
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| MORINGA LEAVES |
Moringa in Daily Cooking:
Moringa Leaves, Moringa Flowers and Drumsticks are common ingredients used in Indian Cuisine.
DRUMSTICK/MORINGA PODS:
Drumstick or the long pods of Moringa are used while making Sambar, Curries, Stir-fries etc.,
MORINGA LEAVES:
- The Leaves can be cooked into simple Stir-fries or converted into local treats like Poriyals, Thorans, Murungai Keerai Kootu or added into Sambar & Curries.
- Can add these Moringa Leaves in Adai, Pesarattu, Thepla etc.,
- Can make Keera Vadai with Moringa Leaves.
- Leaves can be used to prepare Murungai Keerai Thuvayal(Chutney).
- Can add few leaves while making Scrambled Eggs.
- I stealthily sneak Moringa leaves along with Curry Leaves while tempering Sambar & Rasam.
- Moringa Leaves can be used for making Murungai Keerai Podi or can be added into Paruppu Podi/Idli Podi/Karuveppilai Podi etc.,
- Can make Moringa Tea with fresh or dried Moringa Leaves.
- Can make a simple Soup with Drumstick Leaves.
- Adding Moringa Leaves while making Homemade Ghee increases its Shelf life.
MORINGA FLOWERS:
- Moringa Flowers can also be cooked in the same way as Moringa Leaves.
- Moringa Flowers can be cooked into simple Stir-fries or converted into local treats like Poriyals, Thorans, Kootu or added into Sambar & Curries.
MORINGA BARK:
- I even happen to eat a unique Sauce(Chutney) prepared using the Bark of Moringa Tree by my Husband's Grandmother Clemmi Thathi.
- This was served as a side relish for Roasted Pork.
- It can also be eaten as a side relish with any type of Roasted Meat, Chicken Turkey, Duck etc.,
- This sauce can be seen as an integral sauce on every Anglo-Indian table during the Christmas and Easter Season
FOOD SAFETY:
Using Moringa Leaves, Flowers or Pods as a Vegetable in normal cooking or in small proportions doesn't cater to any risk or side effects. Moringa may possess anti-fertility qualities and is therefore not recommended for pregnant women.
*But when using it in the form of extracts and medications, consider using Moringa with Doctor's advise first.
Risk & Side Effects:
- Do not use it along with Thyroid Medication - Levothyroxine is used to combat Thyroid problems. Compounds in the moringa leaf may aid the thyroid function, but it is advisable not to take it in combination with other Thyroid Medication.
- Do not use Moringa extracts with any medications that might be broken down by the liver - Moringa extract may decrease how quickly this happens, which could lead to various side effects or complications.
- Do not use it along with Diabetes medications: Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar, which moringa also does effectively. It is vital to ensure blood sugar levels do not get too low.
- Do not use it along with High Blood Pressure medication - Moringa has shown to be effective at lowering blood pressure. Taking moringa alongside other drugs that lower blood pressure may result in it becoming too low.
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DISCLAIMER:
Please remember these treatments options are only meant as guidelines and in no way replace the advice or treatment provided by your medical practitioner. It is always good to seek the advice of your physician, homoeopath, naturopath, or herbalist for professional advice in any matter related to your health. This article is for information purposes only.
