Origin Of Moringa
Moringa oleifera is a rapid-growing tree of the Moraceae family, local to the Indian subcontinent. It can also be known as the drumstick tree because of its long, slender, triangular seed-pods, moringa, and horseradish tree (from its root taste similar to horseradish) and ben oil or benzolive tree.
Moringa is widely cultivated; its young seed pods and leaves are useful in traditional medicine and cooking. It is a drought-resistant plant and can be used for water purification.
Nutrient Composition Of Moringa
The nutrient composition in 100g moringa leaves areas as follows:
- Energy 64 kcal (270 kJ)
- Carbohydrates 8.28g
- Dietary fiber 2.0g
- Fat 1.40g
- Protein 9.40g
- Calcium 185 mg
- Iron 4.00 mg
- Magnesium 147 mg
- Manganese 0.36 mg
- Phosphorus 112 mg
- Potassium 337 mg
- Sodium 9 mg
- Zinc 0.6 mg
- Water 78.66 g
Preferred Botanical Name: Moringa oleifera Moringa, Drumstick tree
Preferred Common Name: Moringa, Drumstick tree
Medicinal Properties And Uses
Moringa has numerous health benefits; below are some of them:
- Moringa leaves are excellent sources of protein that helps in protecting the skin from damage, vitamin B6, vitamin C, riboflavin, and iron.
- Leaves powder of moringa can increase blood antioxidant levels.
- The oleifera in moringa has the potential to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels.
- The seed oil is beneficial for protecting hair against free radicals and keeps it clean and healthy.
- It also contains hydrating and detoxifying elements, boosting the skin and hair.
- The leaf contains some anti-inflammatory properties that may be useful in preventing the growth of edema.
- The has been shown to protect the liver against the aftermath of anti-tubercular drugs and quicken its repair process.
- They contains niazimicin, a compound that helps prevent and suppress cancer cells’ growth.
- Extract of moringa is beneficial in treating some stomach disorders like constipation, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis. Moringa is rich in vitamin B, which helps with digestion.
- Calcium and phosphorus with anti-inflammatory properties are present in moringa. They are essential for bone health by keeping it strong and healthy, treating arthritis, and healing damaged bones.
- They are helpful remedy for treating depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
- Moringa extracts contain powerful antioxidants that help maintain a healthy heart by preventing cardiac damage of the heart.
- Their extract helps wounds close as well as reduces the appearance of scars.
- They improves hemoglobin levels by reducing the amount of glucose in the blood and sugar and protein in the urine.
- Eating or drinking moringa may reduce the severity of asthma and assist with better lung function and overall breathing.
- Moringa improves eyesight functions, such as preventing the thickening of capillary membranes, stopping the dilation of retinal vessels, and inhibiting retinal dysfunction.
How To Grow
Do you want to know how to grow moringa? Read below.
Yield Information
They yields best under warm, dry conditions with some irrigation. A yearly average yield per hectare is 6 tons. The yield in the dry season is different from that of the rainy season, with 1120 kg/ha per harvest and 690 kg/ha per harvest, respectively.
The leaves and stem can be harvested up to seven times yearly, 60 days after seeding.
Nursery And Transplant Requirements
An ideal way of planting moringa is to plant directly in the soil and not transplant the seedling because seedlings are fragile and sometimes do not live after transplanting. Below are ways to plant directly in the ground:
- Choose a planting site that is not waterlogged or has clay soil but has a light and sandy soil.
- Dig planting holes of 30cm square and 1 ft deep. Fill the holes with loose soil, aged compost, or organic manure to help the tree grow better, even though it can grow in poor soils.
- A hole should have about 3 to 5 holes, and it should be 5cm apart. Plant the seeds at a depth of 0.5 inches or 1.5cm.
- Ensure to balance the moist condition of the tree; it should not be too wet so that the seeds will not drown and rot nor be completely dry so that saplings can spring forth.
- Sort the saplings for the healthiest ones once they are 6 inches tall and remove the unhealthy ones. Termites and nematodes are major sapling pests, ensuring to protect your saplings from them.
- Moringa does not require watering when it is grown; however, when it is still tender, water frequently for the first two months until it is established.
Note that: They requires well-drained soil and will not thrive in waterlogged soil. For a high success rate, plant more than ten seedlings in sandy-loamy soil.
Soil And Sun Requirements
They can thrive in many kinds of soil, but well-drained, sandy, or loamy, with soil pH between 6.3 to 7.0 (neutral to slightly acidic soil) is suitable. Root rot tendencies are high in waterlogged areas. Moringa is a sun and heat-loving plant and does not tolerate freezing or frost.
Dry regions are more suitable for the moringa plant because rainwater can meet their watering needs; hence, it does not require expensive irrigation techniques.
Watering Requirements Of Moringa
They requires an average rainfall of 250 – 3000 mm. In cases of low rain, you should water the tree accordingly.
Spacing Requirements
2 or 3 seeds per planting station at 2 cm depth. Spacing can be 50 cm to 1 m for only leaf production and 3 to 5 m for seed, leaf, and pod production
Harvesting Of Moringa
When the plant is grown from cuttings, the first harvest can occur 6–8 months after planting. Harvest leaves by cutting leaf stems manually with a sharp knife, sickles, or stabs with hooks attached.
The following methods are recommended for branch promotion, increased production, and harvest facilitation: pollarding, coppicing, and lopping or pruning.
Storage Method
The Moringa oleifera seeds are stored under different conditions and durations; open container and closed container at room temperature (28 °C) and refrigerator (3 °C) for durations of 1, 3, and 5 months.
Diseases And Pest
No serious diseases affect the moringa tree in its native or introduced ranges. Several insect pests are seen in India, including various caterpillars such as the bark-eating caterpillar, hairy caterpillar, and green leaf caterpillar.
However, Moringa plants sometimes suffer from fruit rots, stem rots, root rot, twig canker, etc. Pod fly, budworm, hairy caterpillars, and red mites are the major pests of moringa.
Conclusion
Known as the “miracle tree,” Moringa is a powerhouse of health benefits packaged neatly into one plant. Brimming with crucial nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, and potassium, Moringa boosts immune function, improves bone health, and nourishes the skin. The abundance of antioxidants in Moringa helps fight oxidative stress, promoting a healthy heart and reducing inflammation. Additionally, the plant’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties contribute to overall well-being, and its potential in regulating blood sugar levels makes it a valuable resource for those with diabetes.
Moreover, the benefits of moringa extend beyond just its nourishment properties. Its components also aid in promoting digestion and weight management, making it a highly versatile and powerful supplement that supports overall holistic wellness.