Moringa Tree

Imagine eating leaves and pods from one plant, the Moringa Tree, and you get most of your nutritional needs met. From one plant you can get protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and vitamins A and C and that is not a complete list. The Moringa Tree, or moringa oleifera is called the drumstick tree in India, also known as the clarifer tree and horseradish tree and in the Philipines it is called “the mother’s best friend.” The moringa tree is grown in tropical climates, in India, Mexico, central and south America, and Africa. It also thrives in dry areas and grows where other plants will not.
The two parts of the plant that are consumed are the leaves and pods. The fresh leaves can be added to soups, stews and curries. The leaves are also commonly dried and ground and added to food as a nutritional supplement. The ground dried leaves are available at health food stores. The pods can be cut and added to soups and stews . The outer part of the pod is very tough but once cut open, the soft inside can be scraped out with a spoon or with your teeth and is very nutritious.

The reported benefits of the Moringa tree are:

- It is rich in vitamin A
- It promotes healthy digestion, improves the functioning of the kidney and liver, improves the immune system, helps circulation, is anti-inflammatory and heals arthtitis pain.
- It balances sugar levels as well as cholesterol. It is rich in anti-oxidants. It balances hormones and helps to detoxify the body from poisons.
- Many claim that it helps to give a good night’s sleep and gives energy without a sugar rush.
- It is often given to children suffering from malnutrition.

Writers of ancient Indian manuscripts were well aware of the many beneficial properties of this tree. They believed that it could treat 300 different diseases! Today, you can find the “drumstick” as they call it in many dishes in South Indian restaurants. The leaf has been grown in developing countries to provide many nutritional needs,

The reason this is mentioned in this site is to point out a little known source of many vital nutrients. The shelves in the stores are filled with nutritional supplements that can be found in natural sources in a form that is readily absorbed by the body with no adverse side effects.