Moringa(Drumstick)
Discription, Nutrition facts & Uses
What is Moringa (Drumstick)?
Moringa
(Drumstick) is the only genus in the Moringaceae flowering plant family, and it
is native to parts of Africa and Asia. The name comes from the Tamil word Murungai,
which means drumstick, and the plant is also known as the drumstick tree. It comprises
13 tropical and subtropical species ranging in size from tiny herbs to large
trees from tropical and subtropical climates. Moringa grow quickly in almost all types of
environments.
Moringa oleifera, a multipurpose tree
cultivated throughout the tropics and marketed as a dietary supplement, health
food, or source for herbalism practises, is the most widely cultivated species.
It is native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India and is a
multipurpose tree cultivated throughout the tropics and marketed as a dietary
supplement, health food, or source for herbalism practices. Moringa oleifera
fruit pods (“drumsticks”) are eaten as food in many parts of the world, but
particularly in South Asia.
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Common name and etymology
Moringa gets its name from the Malayalam word muringo, which means “southern India.”
Murungai, which means “twisted pod” in Tamil,
refers to the young fruit.
The name oleifera comes from the Latin words
oleum, which means “oil,” and ferre, which means “to bear.” The plant is known
by a variety of names in different parts of the world, including drumstick
tree, horse radish tree, and simply moringa in English.
Description of Moringa (Drumstick)
Moringa oleifera (Drumstick) is a fast-growing deciduous tree with a trunk diameter of 45 cm and a height of 10–12 m (32–40 ft) (1.5 ft). The bark is a whitish-grey colour with dense cork surrounding it. The bark of young shoots is purplish or greenish-white, and it is hairy. The tree has a drooping, delicate crown, and the leaves form a feathery foliage of trip innate leaves.
The fragrant, hermaphroditic flowers are surrounded by five unequally veined, yellowish-white petals. The flowers measure approximately 1.0–1.5 cm (1/2 in) in length and 2.0 cm (3/4 in) in width. They bloom in spreading or drooping flower clusters with a length of 10–25 cm on slender, hairy stalks.
Within the first six months of planting, flowering begins. Flowering happens only once a year in seasonally cool areas, between April and June. Flowering can occur twice or even all year long in more consistent seasonal temperatures and with consistent rainfall.
The fruit is a 20–45 cm long, three-sided brown capsule with dark brown, globular seeds with a diameter of about 1 cm. Wind and water disperse the seeds, which have three whitish papery wings.
It is often cut back to 1–2 m (3–6 ft) in cultivation and allowed to regrow so that the pods and leaves are within reach.
Moringa tree with bud
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Crop Production
Moringa (Drumstick) tree's are mostly grown in semiarid, tropical, and subtropical climates, which correspond to USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10 in the United States. It can grow in a variety of soils, but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.3 to 7.0), well-drained, sandy or loamy one. (12) Roots have a tendency to rot in waterlogged soil.
The roots have a tendency to decay in waterlogged soil. Moringa is a sun and heat-loving plant that cannot survive frost or freezing temperatures. Moringa is especially well-suited to dry climates, as it can be grown with rainwater rather than costly irrigation.
Production Area of Moringa (Drumstick)
With an annual output of 1.2 million tonnes of fruits from a 380-square-kilometer area, India is the world’s leading moringa producer.
Moringa is widely sold in local markets in South Asia and Southeast Asia, where it is cultivated in home gardens and as living fences.
It is commonly grown in the Philippines and Indonesia for the leaves, which are eaten. The World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, a centre for vegetable science, is also actively cultivating Moringa.
Moringa grows wild or is cultivated in Central America and the Caribbean, northern South America, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and a number of countries.
Moringa contains many healthful compounds and sometimes called as super food since it is rich in nutrients, antioxidants and Vitamins:
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Health benefits of Moringa (Drumstick)
Moringa have many health benefits and its
uses range from health and beauty to helping prevent and cure diseases.
The Health benefits of Moringa include:
Skin
& Hair care
Moringa seed oil is useful for protecting
hair against free radicals and keeps it clean and healthy. Moringa also have
rich protein, which means it is helpful in protecting skin cells damages. It
also having hydrating and detoxifying elements, which also boost the skin and
hair.
Edema Treatment
The anti-inflammatory properties of Moringa
may be effective in preventing edema from developing.
Healthy Liver
Moringa protect the liver against damage
caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process as it has
all the vitamins & minerals available
Treating Stomach related Complain
Moringa extracts help treat some stomach disorders, such as
constipation, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis. The antibiotic and
antibacterial properties of Moringa may help inhibit the growth of various
pathogens, and its high vitamin B content helps with digestion. The fiber
contain clear constipation.
Fighting with Bacterial Diseases
Moringa have antibacterial, antifungal, and
antimicrobial properties which combat infections caused by Salmonella,
Rhizopus, and E. coli.
Healthier Bones
Moringa contains calcium and phosphorous, which help to keep bones healthy and strong. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties Moringa extract also help to treat conditions such as arthritis and may also heal damaged bones.
Healthy Cardiovascular system
The powerful antioxidants found in Moringa
extract help to prevent cardiac damage and has also been shown to maintain a
healthy heart.
Improve Diabetes Condition
Moringa contains fibre and almost nil sugar,
it has less carbohydrates and more protein. It has almost all the vitamins
& minerals available. This properties of Moringa helps to reduce the
glucose level in the blood, as well as
sugar and protein in the urine. This improved the hemoglobin levels and overall
protein content.
Healthy Eye sight
Moringa having good percentage of Vitamin A & also have antioxidant properties. Moringa stop the dilation of retinal vessels, prevent the thickening of capillary membranes, and inhibit retinal dysfunction.
Prevent Anemia
Moringa having rich iron content which help a
person’s body absorb more iron, therefore increasing their red blood cell
count. It is thought the plant extract is very helpful in treating and
preventing anemia and sickle cell disease.
Moringa (Drumstick) Nutrition Facts
Nutrients Value, per 100 Gram Moeinga Leaf, raw |
|
Energy |
64 kcal |
Carbohydrate |
8.28 g |
Dietary fiber |
2.0 g |
Fat |
1.40 g |
Protein |
9.40 g |
Vitamins Quantity %DV† |
|
Vitamin A equiv |
47% |
Thiamine (B1) |
22% |
Riboflavin (B2) |
55% |
Niacin (B3 |
15% |
Pantothenic acid (B5) |
3% |
Vitamin B6 |
92% |
Foliate (B9) |
10% |
Vitamin C |
62% |
Minerals Quantity %DV† |
|
Calcium |
19% |
Iron |
31% |
Magnesium |
17% |
Phosphorus |
16% |
Potassium |
7% |
Sodium |
1% |
Zinc |
6% |
Nutrients Value, per 100 Gram Moringa Pods, raw |
|
Energy |
37 kcal |
Carbohydrate |
8.53 g |
Dietary fiber |
3.2 g |
Fat |
0.20 g |
Protein |
2.10 g |
Vitamins Quantity %DV† |
|
Vitamin A equiv |
1% |
Thiamine (B1) |
5% |
Riboflavin (B2) |
6% |
Niacin (B3 |
4% |
Pantothenic acid (B5) |
16% |
Vitamin B6 |
9% |
Foliate (B9) |
11% |
Vitamin C |
170% |
Minerals Quantity %DV† |
|
Calcium |
3% |
Iron |
3% |
Magnesium |
13% |
Manganese |
12% |
Phosphorus |
7% |
Potassium |
10% |
Sodium |
3% |
Zinc |
5% |
Almost all parts of Moringa are edible, with regional uses varying widely.
- Immature seed pods, called “drumsticks”
- Leaves
- Mature seeds
- Oil pressed from seeds
- Flowers
- Roots
Prevent Malnutrition
Moringa (Drumstick) trees have been used to help people who are malnourished, particularly infants and nursing mothers. Moringa thrives in arid and semiarid conditions, so it may be a year-round, healthy food source in different parts of the world. Moringa cultivation projects have been started by more than 140 organizations around the world to combat malnutrition, purify water, and generate cooking oils.
Culinary Uses of Moringa
Throughout its regional distribution, Moringa. oleifera has a wide range of culinary applications. Whole leaves (leaflets, stalks, and stems), immature green fruits or seed pods, fragrant flowers, and young seeds and roots are all edible parts of the plant.
Moringa (Drumstick) Friuts Pods
The young, slender fruits, also known as “drumsticks,” are often cut into shorter lengths and stewed in curries and soups as a culinary vegetable. The flavour is described as asparagus-like, with a hint of green beans, but sweeter, thanks to the immature seeds inside.
Drumstick curries are usually prepared in India and Bangladesh by boiling immature pods in a mixture of coconut milk and spices until tender (such as poppy or mustard seeds). The fruit is used in dals and lentil soups like drumstick dal and sambar, where it is pulped first and then cooked with other vegetables and spices like turmeric and cumin.Bhurta, a dish made up of lightly fried or curried vegetables, also includes mashed drumstick pulp.
Drumsticks are chewed to remove the juices
and nutrients from the tough and fibrous outer skin, with the fibrous content
discarded. Others explain sucking out the flesh and tender seeds and discarding
the tube of skin in a slightly different way.
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Moringa (Drumsticks) Leaves
The leaves can be used in a variety of ways, but they’re most commonly added to simple broth-based soups like tinola and utan in the Philippines. Finely chopped tender moringa leaves are used as a garnish for vegetable dishes and salads, such as Kerala’s thoran. It may also be used instead of or in addition to coriander.
Moringa Leaves, Flowers & Pods
Moringa leaves can be dried and powdered to retain their nutrients for long-term use and storage. Sun, shade, freezing, and oven drying at 50–60 °C are all suitable methods for retaining particular micro- and macronutrients, but their effectiveness varies. Soups, sauces, and smoothies are all popular uses for the powder. Moringa leaf powder is valued as a dietary supplement because of its high nutritional density, and it can be used to enrich food items ranging from dairy, such as yoghurt and cheese, to baked goods, such as bread and pastries, with appropriate sensory results.
Moringa (Drumstick) Seeds
The seeds are valued in Nigeria for their bitter taste, and they are often used in sauces or as a fried snack. The edible seed oil can be used in salad dressings and condiments.
Moringa seed, ground and debittered, can be used as a fortification ingredient in wheat flours to boost protein, iron, and calcium levels.
Used For Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine uses the bark, sap, stems, leaves, seeds, and bulbs. It’s been studied to see how it affects blood lipid profiles and insulin secretion. Various polyphenols are found in leaf extracts, and basic research is being conducted to assess their possible effects in humans. Despite extensive preliminary research into whether moringa components have bioactive properties, there is no high-quality evidence that it has any impact on health or disease.
Some applications
Moringa has the ability to improve nutrition, increase food security, promote rural growth, and help sustainable land care in developing countries. It can be used as livestock forage, a micronutrient liquid, a natural anthelmintic, and an adjuvant. When Moringa oleifera leaf powder was wetted in advance to allow antiseptic and detergent properties from phytochemicals in the leaves, it was as effective as soap for hand washing. Moringa oleifera seeds and press cake have been used to dewater and dry faecal sludge as wastewater conditioners.
Side Effect of Moringa
The side effects of excessive consumption of
Moringa:
Lower blood pressure and slow heart rate
because of the alkaloids in the plant.
Uterine contractions from Moringa bark.
Cell mutations caused by a chemical isolated
from roasted Moringa seeds.
Interference with fertility.
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