The history of Moringa dates back to 150 B.C. Historical proofs reveal that ancient kings and queens used Moringa leaves and fruit in their diet to maintain mental alertness and healthy skin. Ancient Maurian warriors of India were fed with Moringa Leaf Extract in the warfront. The Elixir drink was believed to add them extra energy and relieve them of the stress and pain incurred during war. These
brave soldiers were the ones who defeated "Alexander" the Great. Inspired by the news of this Elixir drink, 3 young professionals started analyzing the nutritional benefits of Moringa Tree. As than research deepened they were amazed by the huge amount of nutritional contents these small leaves and fruits bears. They desparately wanted to bring out the benefits which the maurian soldiers had enjoyed to the entire world. This quest has led to the birth of the brand "Yelixir". More than 40 basic nutrients should be present in our daily food intake. The most important thing about the nutrients is that they should be from a natural source. Then only, our body will absorb the nutrients. The vitamin and calcium supplements, which we take, are not fully absorbed by the body. This is mainly because human body can differentiate between the natural nutrients and the synthetic ones. And moreover, the Vitamins or Minerals, when intake separate, they won't help much. In other words, the human body will reap the benefit only when the Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and the other nutrients are feed together. Moringa, with 90+ nutrients, is the best source to nourish the body with the essential nutrients. Moringa is rich in vitamin to the extent that it is one of the richest plant sources of Vitamin. Moringa has Vitamin A (Beta Carotene), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 Pyrodixine), Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin E (Tocopherol) and Vitamin K. Vitamin A is most needed by the body to maintain a perfect vision and to maintain the cardiovascular health. The calcium absorption by the body works well only in the presence of Vitamin D. The list of Minerals present in Moringa is abundant and few of the main minerals include Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese and Zinc. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of the human body. Blood coagulation, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and relaxation, normal heart beat, stimulation of hormone secretion, activation of enzyme reactions, as well as other functions, all require small amounts of calcium. Moringa is the richest source of Calcium from a plant material and Moringa has 17 times more Calcium than that of milk, helps to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis during old age and strengthen the bones of the young and middle age people. Moringa, with 25 times more Iron than that of Spinach, helps in the formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin, which carry the oxygen in the blood and the muscle. Iron also makes up part of many proteins and enzymes in the body and deficiency of which leads to the weakening of the immune system, helps in improving the mental ability as the oxygen supply to the brain increases. Moringa with 15 times the potassium in Banana assists in the regulation of the acid-base and water balance in the blood and the body tissues. As the richest source of Calcium and Potassium it helps in the reducing the blood pressure. It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism. It is necessary for the building of muscle and for normal body growth. Yelixir is the natural alternative for the calcium supplements available in the market. Moringa has approximately 46 antioxidants and is one of the most powerful sources of natural anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants supply the free atoms needed by the human body and mitigate the effect of free radicals. This antioxidant property helps in preventing the formation of malignancy. Moringa leaves are rich in Flavonoids, a class of anti-oxidants. The major anti-oxidants present are Quercetin, Kaempferol, Beta-Sitosterol, Caffeoylquinic acid and Zeatin. Antioxidant plays a major role in controlling the symptoms of aging process and improves the cardiovascular health. Additionally, Vitamin C & Vitamin E, present in Moringa, also function as anti-oxidants. Researches confirm that the anti-oxidants deliver the desired result, if only taken with the combination of other essential vitamin and minerals, which makes health enthusiast to seek after Moringa. Yelixir filled with Moringa leaves and fruits are loaded with Phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are certain organic components of plants, and these components are thought to promote human health. The phytonutrients present in Moringa include, Alpha-carotene, Beta-Carotene, Beta-cryptoxanthin, Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Chlorophyll. Phytonutrients flushes toxins from the body, purifies the liver, helps to strengthen the immune system, helps in rebuilding the red blood cells and the important of all, Moringa Phytonutrients rejuvenate the body at the cellular level. All these nutrients in Moringa make a complete nutrient supplement for the well being of our health. This enormous nutrient supplement helps in curing 300 different diseases, which increases the important of Moringa in our day to day life. Moringa trees are cultivated without the use pesticides, insecticides or any other chemical fertilizers. We are using natural manures for the outcome of healthy leaves and fruits. The leaves and fruits are plunged by hands manually. The odd leaves are separated from the good once and they are shadow dried. Shadow drying helps in retaining the nutrient present in Moringa. These dried leaves are then powdered hygienically to get Moringa leaf powder. This Moringa leaf powder is used for the manufacturing of the capsules. These capsules are easy to take in our daily diet as it is impossible to take fresh Moringa daily and the capsule form of this supplement is more convenient for regular use along with our variety of meal pattern. Two capsules per day will be sufficient to meet the daily nutrient requirement. It is more natural as it contains only Moringa with out the addition of synthetic adulterant. The bioavailability of the nutrients in Moringa is high when compared to the synthetic supplements. Malunggay - The Trees for Life Jun 22, 2009
Malnutrition
Moringa trees have been used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers. Three non-governmental organizations in particular—Trees for Life, Church World Service and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization—have advocated Moringa as “natural nutrition for the tropics.” Leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or stored as dried powder for many months without refrigeration, and reportedly without loss of nutritional value. Moringa is especially promising as a food source in the tropics because the tree is in full leaf at the end of the dry season when other foods are typically scarce. Fahey, 2005)
A large number of reports on the nutritional qualities of Moringa now exist in both the scientific and the popular literature. Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. The oral histories recorded by Lowell Fuglie in Senegal and throughout West Africa, who reports countless instances of lifesaving nutritional rescue that are attributed to Moringa (Fuglie, L.J., 1999, 2000). In fact, the nutritional properties of Moringa are now so well known that there seems to be little doubt of the substantial health benefit to be realized by consumption of Moringa leaf powder in situations where starvation is imminent. Nonetheless, the outcomes of well controlled and well documented clinical studies are still clearly of great value. Fahey, 2005) In many cultures throughout the tropics, differentiation between food and medicinal uses of plants (e.g. bark, fruit, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, flowers), is very difficult since plant uses span both categories and this is deeply ingrained in the traditions and the fabric of the community (Lockett et al., 2000). ”
[edit] Cultivation
In the Philippines, the plant is propagated by planting limb cuttings 1–2 m long, from June to August, preferably. The plant starts bearing pods 6–8 months after planting but regular bearing commences after the second year. It does not tolerate freezes or frost. It can also be propagated by seed. As with all plants, optimum cultivation depends on producing the right environment for the plant to thrive. Moringa is a sun and heat loving plant. Seeds are planted an inch below the surface and can be germinated year round in well draining soil. Rajangam et al. write:
India is the largest producer of moringa with an annual production of 1.1 to 1.3 million tonnes of tender fruits from an area of 380 km². Among the states, Andhra Pradesh leads in both area and production (156.65 km²) followed by Karnataka (102.8 km²) and Tamil Nadu (74.08 km²). In other states, it occupies an area of 46.13 km². Tamil Nadu is the pioneering state insomuch as it has varied genotypes from diversified geographical areas, as well as introductions from Sri Lanka.
– [3]
Moringa is common in India, where its triangular, ribbed pods with winged seeds are used as a vegetable crop. It is particularly suitable for dry regions. The drumstick can be grown using rainwater without expensive irrigation techniques. The yield is good even if the water supply is not. The tree can be even grown on land covered with 10-90 cm of mud. Moringa is grown in home gardens and as living fences in Thailand, where it is commonly sold in local markets. [4] In the Philippines, moringa is commonly grown for its leaves, which are used in soup. [5] The leaves (called dahon ng malunggay in Tagalog or dahon sa kamunggay in Cebuano) are commonly sold in local markets. Moringa is also actively cultivated by the AVRDC in Taiwan. The AVRDC is "the principal international center for vegetable research and development in the world. Its mission is to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables."
[edit] Culinary uses
Seeds and fruit of the M. oleifera, ready for cookingThe fruit of the tree is quite popular as a vegetable in Asia and Africa. The fruit is a long, thin pod, resembling a drum stick. The fruit itself is called drumstick in India and elsewhere. Moringa leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable, particularly in the Philippines and Africa.
[edit] India
This article contains instructions, advice, or how-to content. The purpose of Wikipedia is to present facts, not to train. Please help improve this article either by rewriting the how-to content or by moving it to Wikiversity or Wikibooks. The moringa pod is known as drumstick or saragwa or saragwe in India. In South India, it is used to prepare a variety of sambar and is also fried. It is also preserved by canning and exported worldwide. In other parts of India, especially West Bengal and also in a neighboring country like Bangladesh it is enjoyed very much. It can be made into varieties of curry by mixing with coconut, poppy seeds and mustard. It can just be boiled, until the drumsticks are semi-soft and consumed directly without any extra processing or cooking. It is used in curries, sambars, kormas, and dals, although it is also used to add flavor to cutlets, etc. Tender drumstick leaves, finely chopped, make an excellent garnish for any vegetable dishes, dals, sambars, salads, etc. One can use the same in place of or with coriander, as these leaves have high medicinal value. If the pulp has to be scraped out after cooking the sticks, then keep the pieces as long as 4-5 inches long. Also do not scrape the skin before boiling. This will help to hold and scrape them more easily and with less mess. For drumstick sambar follow recipe for traditional sambar, adding boiled drumstick fingers, along with onions in the oil, while stir frying. Scraped drumstick pulp can be made into drumstick bhurtha, more or less like the baingan bhurtha after the pulp has been obtained. It is a wonderfully unusual and tasty dish. The recipe is identical to that of baingan bhurtha. Drumstick dal, is also a very tasty version of the traditional 'toor dal'. Add some of the pulp to the boiled dal, and hand beat it along with the dal before seasoning. This will give an unusual, novel flavor to this dal. In another variation you may add pieces of boiled drumstick including the water in which it was boiled, to the traditional toor dal while it is simmering. The pieces are delightful to chew on with the dal & rice. In addition to being known as Drumstick Dal, the South Indian version which is a spiced lentil soup is more popular by the name - sambar or sambhar. Sambar is usually cooked with toor dal, drumsticks and other locally grown vegetables. The spices used typically in this stew are turmeric, chili powder and cumin among others. It is eaten with rice just like the Drumstick dal.
[edit] Philippines
In the Philippines, the leaves are widely eaten. Bunches of leaves are available in many markets, priced below many other leaf vegetables. The leaves are most often added to a broth to make a simple, and highly nutritious soup. The leaves are also sometimes used as a characteristic ingredient in tinola—a traditional chicken dish, composed of chicken in a broth, moringa leaves, and either green papaya or another secondary vegetable. The leaves are now used in making "polvoron" candy, as bio-fuel and moringa oil. On September 14, 2007, Senator Loren Legarda campaigned for the popularization of moringa. She asked the government to make moringa among its priority crops for propagation. The Bureau of Plant Industry, in its report, stated that, weight per weight, moringa leaves have the calcium equivalent of 4 glasses of milk, the vitamin C content of 7 oranges, potassium of 3 bananas, 3 times the iron of spinach, 4 times the amount of vitamin A in carrots, and 2 times the protein in milk. Moringa also helps to purify water, a cheaper alternative to mechanical filtration.[6][7]
