Moringa is the sole genus in the flowering plant family Moringaceae. The 13 species it contains are from tropical and subtropical climates and range in size from tiny herbs to massive trees. The generic names is derived from the Tamil word murunggai (முருங்கை) or the Malayalam word muringa, both of which refer to M. oleifera.[2]
The most widely known species is Moringa oleifera, a multi-purpose tree native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India and cultivated throughout the tropics.[3] M. stenopetala, an African species, is also widely grown, but to a much lesser extent than M. oleifera.
Moringa oleifera silviculture is currently being promoted as a means to combat poverty and malnutrition.[4] It grows quickly in many types of environments, and much of the plant is edible, including by livestock. The leaves contain all essential amino acids and are rich in protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and minerals.[3] Feeding the high protein leaves to cattle has been shown to increase weight gain by up to 32% and milk production by 43 to 65%.[4] According to Dr. K. Shaine Tyson of Rocky Mountain Biodiesel Consulting, the defatted meal contains 60% protein, 40% more than soybean meal. The defatted meal can also be used to purify water, settling out sediments and undesirable organisms.
Moringa species can also provide oil for making biofuels. The seeds contain 30-50% oil, or 112-185 gal/acre/year. The oil contains 65-75% oleic acids and, unlike Jatropha oil, is also beneficial to humans.
Moringa species are drought-resistant and can grow in a wide variety of poor soils, even barren ground, with soil pH between 4.5 and 9.0. Although current cultivars can withstand frost, they do not generally survive a hard freeze. They can probably be grown wherever oranges grow successfully.
Benefits:
Moringa is especially promising as a food source in the tropics because the tree is in full leaf at the end of the dry season when other foods are typically scarce. Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. The nutritional properties of Moringa are now so well known that there seems to be little doubt of the substantial health benefit to be realized by consumption of Moringa leaf powder in situations where starvation is imminent. Moringa tree supplies us with Moringa Leaves, Moringa Fruits, Moringa flowers, Moringa seeds, Moringa Oil which are health beneficiary.
Surprisingly, the leaves contain complete proteins, which is rare for a plant. The leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron, and potassium. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach. In addition to being used fresh as a substitute for spinach, its leaves are commonly dried and crushed into a powder, and used in soups and sauces. Moringa has approximately 46 antioxidants and is one of the most powerful sources of natural anti-oxidants which supply the free atoms needed by the human body and mitigate the effect of free radicals. Moringa is the richest source of potassium as it contains more potassium which prevents the excess absorption of sodium thereby decreasing the blood pressure. Moringa also contains magnesium along with zinc and vitamin E which takes part in decreasing the blood pressure along with other nutrients. The nutrients imbalance is believed to trigger hormonal imbalances and that would lead to depression. Moringa, which is packed with Vitamin A, B, C, E , Calcium, Potassium, numerous flavono ids and nutrients, when taken regularly, not only helps people to overcome depression but also to lead a healthy life style
The aging of human body is always associated with weakening of the immune system and thus leaving the body susceptible to various germs which were blocked by the strong immune system. Moringa, with more Iron content, than that of Spinach, combines with its high Beta-Carotene content, helps to improve the hemoglobin levels in the blood, which would in turn strengthens the immune system. The Moringa is believed to be the best natural supplement which will provide the required nutrients for our body
