The Miracle Tree

Scientific Name: Moringa Oleifera
Other names:
"Malunggáy" in Philippines, "Sajina" in India, "Shojne" in Bengal, "Munagakaya" in Telugu, "Shenano" in Rajasthani, "Shevaga" in Marathi, "Nuggekai" in Kannada, "Drumstick Tree, Horse Radish Tree, Ben Oil Tree" in English, "La mu" in Chinese.

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera), is a popular plant known for high nutritional value as well as an herbal medicine. Malunggay is a plant that grows in the tropical climates such as the Philippines, India and Africa. Malunggay is widely used as vegetable ingredient in cooking, as herbal medicine for a number of illness and other practical uses.

The Malunggay plant can grow to as high as 9 meters with erect white trunks. The compound leaf has about 3 to 9 leaflets. Malunggay has white fragrant flowers that produces long pods with 3-angled winged seeds.

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Malunggay may be propagated by planting its seeds about an inch in the ground or matured malunggay stem cuttings of about 3 feet in length may also be planted into the ground. Planted malunggay cuttings grows faster compared to planted seeds.

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) has been used as herbal medicine in many cultures for hundreds of years, Malunggay is known as a very nutritious plant where it is used to combat malnutrition in third world countries especially for infants and nursing mothers.

The malunggay pods are the most valued and widely used part of the plant. Malunggay pods contains essential amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients. Malunggay pods may be eaten raw or may be prepared or cooked. Malunggay pods may be fried and may produce a clear, odorless and sweet oil mostly called - Ben Oil.

Malunggay has a long history of medical usage and has a long list of folkloric health benefits for the following conditions.

Malunggay is widely believed to contain high value nutrients and consumption of which promotes general well being. Malunggay is also called a "miracle tree" primarilly for the various health benefits it can provide for almost all kinds of diseases and medical conditions. More over almost all of its parts have use - from its roots, pods, barks, flowers and leaves. Listed below are some of the traditional herbal treatment of malunggay.
Scalp problems. Malunggay leaves pounded and combined with coconut oil is used to treat scalp problems and to promote hair growth.
Boosts immune system. Boiled malunggay leaves contain immune boosting nutrients used in sickness recovery.
Milk production in nursing mothers. Boiled malunggay leaves used to promote milk production in nursing mothers.
Asthma. Malunggay leaves combined with honey and calamsi to treat cough and asthma
Skin rejuvenation. Malunggay is used as skin restorer to promote skin rejuvenation.
Hypertension. Malunggay soup is used to lower high blood pressure
Relaxant. Malunggay tea from bark or leaves is used to treat insomnia and restlessness.
Anthelmintic. Malunggay pod is chewed to treat and prevent intestinal parasites in children.
Diabetes. Malunggay is also recommended for sufferers of diabetes
Source of calcium. Malunggay is consumed to strengthen the bones especially for growing children and older people due ot high calcium content.
Anti-inflammatory. Malunggay oil or poultice is used to treat bone and ligament related conditions that involve inflammations such as gout, rheumatism, back pain, sprains and all srts of swelling.
Eye problems. Malunggay is also used to improve eye problems. Believed to contain high amount of vitamin A, more than that of a carrot.
Anti-cancer. Malunggay is used along with other herbal medicines to treat cancer.
Leaves and fruit used for constipation and as diuretic.
Skin diseases. Decoction of boiled roots used to wash sores, cuts, skin ulcers, wounds and other skin diseases to alleviate pain and promote healing.
Stomach problems. Malungay is also used for stomach and intestinal problems such as ulcers and constipation.
Abortificient. Malunggay roots and bark have been used as abortifacient.
Boosts fertility. Malunggay flower with soy milk is used as aphrodisiac and promote fertility for men.
Contraceptive. While malunggay roots are believed to suppress fertility, chewed as a contraceptive by women.

Snake bites. Malunggay roots are also used to treat snake bites,
Ear problems. The juice from malunggay roots is used to treat ear related problems (otalgia).

Malunggay, combat malnutrition, used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers. Contains vitamins A, B and C, calcium, iron and protein.

Malunggay Anti infectious: Antibacterial; Anti Fungal, . In late 1940's, The Department of Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore (PLN Rao) have found that malunggay or Moringa Oleifera leaves contain a compound "pterygospermin" that is known in medical science as having antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti fungal properties.

Malunggay Anti Cancer Malunggay or Moringa has been shown in studies to have an anti-tumor capacity. Moringa contains benzyl isothiocyanate. There are many studies that have shown this chemical and compounds derived thereof to have anti-cancer and chemoprotective capabilities. This chemoprotective aspect is critical for those who are battling cancer; this helps strengthen cells so that they can tolerate chemotherapy. Malunggay is also considered in the treatment of prostate cancer and skin cancer. (Ref: Fuglie LJ (2000) New Uses of Moringa Studied in Nicaragua. ECHO Development Notes #68, June, 2000. ttp://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php?
name=News&file=article&sid=194)

Malunggay anti-inflamatory: Malunggay has been found to inhibit inflammation in a controlled scientific study conducted by Philippine DOST Scientists (Amelia P. Guevara, Carolyn Vargas and Milagros Uy). When an aquous seed extract of malunggay has been administered to a carrageenan induced inflammation, its was noted that the aquous seed extract of the Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) inhibited the development of edema in ratpaw. The Malunggay is traditionally used to prevent and treat inflammations associated with rheumatism, arthritis and joint pains.

Malunggay - Reproductive health. Fuglie LJ (1999) The Miracle Tree: Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics has reported that Malunggay or Moringa Oleifera is widely believed to have an aphrodisiac action that enhances the sexual activity. Malunggay or moringa oleifera young leaves is also widely used to increase the flow of milk for lactating mothers.

Malunggay leaves may be eaten as greens, in salads and as vegetable ingredients for soups and other tropical viands. Malunggay flowers are cooked and eaten either mixed with other foods or fried in batter.