MORINGA FROM NORTHERN GHANA
Moringa oleifera is the most widely nurtured species of the genus Moringa, which is the only genus in the clan Moringaceae. English common names include: moringa, drumstick tree from the appearance of the long, slender, triangular seed-pods, horseradish tree from the taste of the roots, which resembles horseradish, ben oil tree, and benzoil tree from the oil which is derived from the seeds.
It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to the southern slopes of the Himalayas in northwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables especially talking about Northern part of Ghana, it is widely used for so many things with its oil and powder. It can also be used for water purification and hand washing, and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.
Moringa is a fast growing tree which can reach a maximum high of 6-14m and a diameter of 2-4m.
MORINGA:
Moringa grows quickly from seeds or cutting and generate itself after severe pruning. The tree is often cultivated as a fence around the house or garden. The tree is known for its many medicinal uses. But by the traditional method of preparing the leaves they lost the nutritional values.
oleifera is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that can reach a height of 10-12 m (32-40 ft) and trunk diameter of 45 cm (1.5 ft). The bark has a whitish-grey color and is surrounded by thick cork. Young shoots have purplish or greenish-white, hairy bark. The tree has an open crown of drooping, fragile branches and the leaves build up a feathery foliage of tripinnate leaves.
The flowers are fragrant and asexual, surrounded by five unequals, thinly veined, yellowish-white petals. The flowers are about 1.0-1.5 cm (1/2") long and 2.0 cm (3/4") broad. They grow on slender, hairy stalks in spreading or drooping flower clusters which have a length of 10-25 cm. Flowering begins within the first six months after planting. In seasonally cool regions, flowering only occurs once a year between April and June. In more constant seasonal temperatures and with constant rainfall, flowering can happen twice or even all year-round. The fruit is a hanging, three-sided brown capsule of 20-45 cm size which holds dark brown, globular seeds with a diameter around 1 cm. The seeds have three whitish papery wings and are dispersed by wind and water. In cultivation, it is often cut back annually to 1–2 m (3–6 ft) and allowed to regrow so the pods and leaves remain within arm's reach
The Moringa tree is considered to be one of the most healthful plants ever discovered. The whole of the tree can be used for food or for healing purposes, but it is the leaves that contain the highest concentration of nutrients. The nutritional content of moringa tree is extraordinary high, it is actually being used in some parts of the world as a way to fight malnutrition, asthma, anemia, heart problems, rheumatism, diarrhea, athlete’s foot, gum disease, headache, and other uses and benefits of moringa leaves that you can benefit from.
MORINGA NOURISHES THE HAIR
Moringa leaves contain an impressive array of hair strengthening ingredients, which can help to stop hair loss. Ingredients such as Vitamins C and E, folic acid and biotin help nourish hair and make it grow stronger. Various hair treatments with the use of moringa leaves can also help prevent or fight dandruff.
CONTROL BLOOD PRESSURE AND FIGHT INSOMNIA.
Great benefit of moringa powder is its ability to lower blood pressure. Great news for people with high blood pressure! And the leaves also have a calming effect, so it can be very useful for people who suffer from insomnia too.
IT REMOVES TOXINS FROM YOUR BODY
Moranga leaves are also great for detoxing. It has the ability to attach itself to toxins and help them get flushed out of the system. Moringa leaves are so good at doing this that it is sometimes used as a water purifier
IT CAN HELP HEAL WOUNDS
Moringa leaves are also anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. When applied to wounds, it can help prevent infection and make the wound heal faster.
MORINGA BOOSTS ENERGY, IMPROVES STAMINA AND CONCENTRATION
Improved energy levels is another one of wonderful health benefits of moringa leaves. The leaves of the moringa tree contain a complete package of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Eating the leaves or drinking it as a tea, can boost stamina and improve your concentration.
MORINGA PARTS AND THEIR USES:
• Seeds (kernels, shells, oil, fuel, cooking, cosmetic, medicinal and industrial uses, animal feed, water purification)
• Roots (medicinal use, human consumption)
• Bark (medicinal use)
• Leaves (human consumption, medicinal use, animal feed)
• Stems (animal feed)
• Twigs (animal feed)
THE SEEDS:
The seed powder produced of the seeds of the Moringa tree can help to purify water of muds, bacteria and viruses. But in North Ghana not many people use this method to obtain drinking water. Moringa seeds contain oil. The oil is very yellow and fined us in the kitchen, in the cosmetic industry, in the soap industry, in the fine machinery and in the perfumes industry. The oil is plenty of oleic acid Other edible oils contain oleic acid. The press-cake as a byproduct of the oil extraction process comprised a very high level of protein. The dry seeds can be ground to a powder and find use in different sauces. Also good is to eat it to salads.
LEAVES:
After cutting the trees they wash and remove/strip all the leaves. Damaged leaves are discarded. After this we can bring it into the drying room. The drying room is a ventilated room. It`s important to dry the leaves in 2-3 days, depending on conditions of humidity. After drying the leaves can be pounded in a mortar in a groundnut mill or in a hammer mill to pack it into a clean cardboard with polythene bag and heat-sealed that the powder in the box is hermetically sealed. This is important for freshness and dryness. The cardboards are stored in a cool and dry place.
The Vitamin C content of Moringa leaves is very high. Fresh and very young leaves can be eaten raw, it has so many benefits and it should be used very well.