Moringa oleifera is a tropical tree also known as "Malunggay"
Moringa has 400 other names in different languages!
Zijaina – India, Horseradish – USA, Drumstick Tree – England, Ben Aile – France, Kalor – Indonesia, Murunga – Sri Langka, Nebeday – Senegal, Marango – Costa Rica, Ben – Puerto Rico

Moringa is native to the Sub-Himalayan tracts of India. It is an important crop in India, Ethiopia, Philippines, and the Sudan. It is being grown in Tropical Asia, Latin America, Africa, Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. Over the past 2 decades, many reports have appeared in mainstream scientific journals describing its nutritional and medicinal properties.

Scientific research confirms that these leaves are a powerhouse of nutritional value. Gram for gram, Moringa leaves contain: SEVEN times the vitamin C in oranges, FOUR times the Calcium in milk, FOUR times the vitamin A in carrots, TWO times the protein in milk and THREE times the Potassium in bananas.

There are many benefits of the moringa tree, but the health benefits are the most important. Research has shown that various parts of the moringa tree can be effective in a significant number of health concerns. Here’s a quick look at a few of them:

• Moringa is rich in Vitamin A, hence it is a weapon against blindness.
• It is also a rich source of Vitamin C many times more than oranges.
• The amount of calcium present in moringa leaves is way higher than milk.
• Moringa leaves contain two times the protein present in milk.
• Moringa leaves contain several times more potassium than bananas.
• Potassium, zinc is also found in large quantities in moringa.
• Moringa leaves contains three times more iron than spinach.
• Moringa helps in balancing the cholesterol levels in the body.
• Essential Amino acids are also found in moringa.
• Moringa helps to balance sugar levels, hence it is helpful in the fight against diabetes.
• It is an immunity-stimulant, it is prescribed for AIDS afflicted patients.
• Moringa leaves can be consumed to stimulate metabolism.
• It also aid in digestion.
• It is a nutrition booster and is known to promote a feeling of well-being.
• Moringa leaves help stimulate cell structure
• It increases breast milk for lactating mothers.
• It has anti-bacterial properties.
• The moringa leaves can help beautify the skin.
• It protects the liver and kidneys.
• It can also be used as a water purifier.

Moringa oleifera: A Review of the Medical Evidence for Its Nutritional, Therapeutic, and Prophylactic Properties. Part 1. Jed W. Fahey, Sc.D.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Cancer Chemoprotection Center, 725 N. Wolfe Street, 406 WBSB, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21205-2185