Moringa Origin
It is believed that the Moringa tree originated in northern India and was being used in Indian medicine around 5,000 years ago, and there are also accounts of it being utilised by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.
This tree was, and still is, considered a panacea, and is referred to as the ‘The Wonder Tree’, ‘The Divine Tree’, and ‘The Miracle Tree’ amongst many others.
Also advertised as a superfood since it is rich in nutrients, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds; the Moringa Oleifera tree is a small tree that is native to India but grows in many parts of the world as it can grow in a variety of climates, especially subtropical climates.
The entire tree is considered edible and is known for its long-twisted pods, from which it derives its name.
The Moringa tree has several names in different parts of the world including another common name of “horseradish tree,” since its roots taste like that of a horseradish root when raw.
12+ Moringa varieties
There are believed to be at least a dozen different varieties of the Moringa tree, but Moringa Oleifera is by far the most utilized; as this species of the Moringa tree is a fast-growing, tall and leafy plant that produces flowers or pods. A noteworthy characteristic of the Moringa tree is its capability to grow in depleted or dry soils where many other types of beneficial plants or trees cannot survive. This is precisely why certain undernourished populations living in other countries, such as Somalia or India, have benefited from Moringa during times of famine.
Moringa use cases – Why Superfood?
Moringa is called superfood due to its multi-usability.
Applications span from human food, animal food, water purification, natural medicines, fertiliser, living fence, alley cropping, natural pesticide, domestic cleaning agent, fuelwood and other uses.
Moringa nutrient value – seven times more Vitamin C than oranges
Moringa has been used for centuries due to its incredible nutrient-dense superfood.
Reports say, Moringa has seven times the amount of vitamin C in oranges, four times as much calcium and double the amount of protein in milk, four times the Vitamin A in carrots, and three times the potassium in bananas!
In fact, Moringa tree leaves registered a higher ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score (157,000!) – needed for body cell protection – than most antioxidant superfoods that are traditionally talked about, including acai berries, green tea, blueberries, dark chocolate, garlic, goji berries, pomegranates and red wine!
In 2008 the National Institute of Health called Moringa Oleifera the “plant of the year,” acknowledging that “perhaps like no other single species, this plant has the potential to help reverse multiple major environmental problems and provide for many unmet human needs.”
It said that the most common ways to use the superfood to get the best Moringa benefits possible includes using:
Moringa value – dried moringa leaves or powder
It takes roughly seven pounds of Moringa leaves to make one pound of dried powder. The leaves are considered the most potent parts of the plant, containing the most antioxidants and available macronutrients. In regard to the concentration of phenolic compounds, amino acids and volatile oils, the stem and root portions of the plant appear to have the least bioactive nutrients compared to the leaves.
Look for Moringa dried leaves in capsule, powder or tea form, and take them with a meal, rather than on an empty stomach.
Moringa value – Moringa tea
This type of Moringa is made from dried leaves steeped in hot water, just like many other beneficial herbal teas. The most nutrient-dense types are organic and dried slowly under low temperatures, which helps preserve delicate compounds. Avoid boiling the leaves to help retain the nutrients best, and don’t cook with Moringa if possible.
Moringa leaves are a surprisingly great source of protein since they provide nine essential amino acids required for human protein synthesis: histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. This is one reason why organizations like the World Health Organization rely on Moringa to supplement low-calorie diets and prevent deficiencies in different cases inclusive of Malnutrition
Moringa value – Moringa seeds
Moringa pods and flowers appear to have a high phenolic content along with proteins and fatty acids. These are the parts of the plant used to purify water and add protein to low-nutrient diets. Look for them added to creams, capsules and powders. The immature green pods of the plant are often called “drumsticks” and are prepared similarly to green beans. The seeds inside the pods are removed and roasted or dried just like nuts to preserve their freshness.
In addition, combining Moringa seeds with water helps impurities cling to the seeds so they can be removed, leaving behind better quality water that’s lower in toxins. Salt also seems to bind to Moringa, which is beneficial for producing fresh-tasting water. Some studies have shown that 0.2 grams of ground Moringa seed can turn one liter of contaminated water into safe drinking water due to the coagulating actions of certain ingredients in the seeds that absorb bacteria, adding water purification to the list of Moringa benefits.
Moringa value – Moringa oil
The oil from Moringa seeds is sometimes called Ben oil. Look for it in natural creams or lotions. Keep the oil in a cool, dark place away from high temperatures or the sun. Several popular uses of Moringa oil are to help retain skin’s moisture, speed up wound healing, and soothe dry or burnt skin.
When the stated uses are consumed properly, Moringa benefits include providing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, balancing hormones and slowing the effects of aging, improving digestive health, balancing blood sugar levels and helping fight diabetes, protecting and nourishing the skin, and helping stabilize mood and protect brain health.
Moringa value – Helps against High Blood Pressure and Low Sex Drive
In line with the benefits of the superfood, Moringa has throughout the world been used for treating widespread conditions such as; inflammation-related diseases, cancer, diabetes, anemia, arthritis and other joint pain, such as rheumatism, allergies and asthma, constipation, stomach pains and diarrhea, epilepsy, stomach and intestinal ulcers or spasms, chronic headaches, heart problems, including high blood pressure, kidney stones, fluid retention, thyroid disorders, low sex drive, bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections.
Moringa value – Biofuel replacing diesel
In Zambia, Moringa has been a discussed topic for the more than decade or so. It has been discussed as a source for nutrition and non-nutrition properties.
Under the non-nutrition properties, Moringa has been identified as an alternative to petroleum-based diesel.
When considering price of petroleum which is reaching unprecedented levels in the country and might continue to rise as domestic supplies of oil decline, biodiesel has been recognized as one alternative to petroleum-based diesel.
Biodiesel is a renewable resource and could play a role in reducing price costs while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while the plantation of Moringa trees can potentially increase green coverage to sequester more CO2 than other vegetable oil crops thus improving the environment and improve the soil.
Moringa health benefits for Children
This is making a difference in the health sector by contribution to the reduction of child mortality and the number of children suffering from different deficiencies and forms of Malnutrition.
Moringa benefits for rural communities
While some stakeholders in society feel that Moringa with its multiple functions, is a tool for rural development and can create wealth for poor farmers as there is need to tap into the wealth of our natural resources through cultivation of Moringa to industrialize the economy. This way Agriculture can assist the economy divert from its over dependence on mining and copper.
Moringa benefits for our environment
Moringa is also used to help restore fertile soil, in forest restoration efforts, to filter water, produce an oil that benefits the skin, and also in the manufacturing of certain medications or supplements.
The plant can be grown year- round and as it progresses through its life cycle it actually helps replenish diminished minerals and other substances.
Even as it decomposes, the moringa tree helps provide a way for populations to better grow other sources of food in difficult landscapes with barren soil.
Moringa Global Market at US$4 billion
All these are benefits that Zambia can certainly benefit from, however, there is also a keen need for awareness of how this miracle tree can create wealth for Zambians since there is a high potential market across the country, region and the world.
It is estimated that the global market for Moringa products is said to be about US$4 billion with annual projected growth of nine per cent, driven by demand for nutritional supplements, snack food, beverages and personal care.
Zambian farmer: “I am growing money from Moringa and fetching up to K50 per kilogramme from my sales”.
Zambia – Plant A Million
The Plant – A – Million Initiative is a tree planting movement with the expanse and ambition to become Africa’s premier example of a ‘Tree-based economy’.
The vision of the initiative is to create a ‘Tree-based Economy’ which will enable to mitigate climate change with economic benefits for Zambia. Growing your money from Trees!
Stop Talking. Start Acting!
For more information contact Emanuel Chibesakunda at info@PlantAMillion.co.zm: +260 (211)257800.