Moringa Oleifera
A large majority of us have heard of the countless benefits of Moringa while some of us are only vaguely aware.
Moringa is called the miracle tree for good reasons; moringa oleifera tree has been called the tree of life in many cultures around the world, including Nigeria. It has many names based on its many uses. In east Africa it is known as “mother’s best friend”. In Nigeria the Yoruba calls it “Ewe igbale”, the Igbos calls it “Idagbole monoye” and the Hausas calls it zogelle.
The moringa leaf has great use medically both has preventive and treatment. Every part of the tree is edible and significant. Scientific analysis has shown and confirmed that moringa leaves are indeed a power house of essential micro and macro nutrients. It is on record that gram of gram, moringa leaves contain seven times the vitamin c in oranges, four times the vitamin A in carrot, four times the calcium of milk, three times the potassium of bananas, three times the vitamin E of spinach and two times the protein of yogurt.
Mrs. Ola Baruwa a retail distributor of moringa seed and powder talked about the way people request for moringa leaves and powder for different ailments. She said people prefer the powder to seeds because they use it like seasoning to their foods and beverages. She also talks about one of her customers who travel in and out of Lagos to moringa seeds from her for to take care of her body and back pains because that’s what works for her.
She also talked about aged men and women who patronize her, and also young married men and women. The young men especially buy it to enhance performance during sex and nursing mothers to increase the amount of breast milk.
She advices her patrons on how to use it because an overdose of moringa could lead to paralysis or death due to the toxic substances in the root.
Moringa is definitely a welcome addition to one’s diet whether it’s fresh, dried or ground to powder and there are doubtless a plethora of ways to add Moringa to one’s diet.
Here are a few ways:
1. Salad: Moringa can be added to our vegetable salads. It is tasteless and has a bit of bite to it. It will blend right into your salad.
2. Soups and Stews: Moringa also works very well in most vegetable soups like Okro, Egusi, Onugbu, to name a few. Just remember that the Moringa leaf loses a better part of its nutritive value in high heat so it should be the last addition to soups when incorporating heat.
3. Custard: Not everyone can consume moringa this way but for those who can. A little sprinkle of powdered moringa in custard goes a long way.
4. Garri: The Moringa seeds have a slightly sweet taste. One way of eating it is by blending into garri and drinking. A little milk in your garri can offset the tatse of Moringa.
5. Pizza: A vegetable pizza with moringa leaves? I say yum!!
6. Eggs: Whether you are making omelettes or scrambled eggs?, Moringa leaves are a welcome addition.
7. Vegetable dishes: This is the best way to incorporate Moringa into your diet because it blends right in with the other leaves. Always remember that moringa leaves should be added last.
8. Sauted: You may just go with plain moringa sauted in a little onion, tomatoes and pepper. You may eat this on the side with suya. It truly is delicious.
9. Fried Rice: Chop Moringa leaves and add to your delicious fried rice.
10. Yam Porridge: You may substitute moringa for the vegetable you add to your porridge or you may mix them up.
Think about it! What do you eat? Can you think of ways to incorporate Moringa into your diet? You certainly can!
‘Moringa good for anaemia, asthma, arthritis, others’
Posted by: Wale Adepoju in Health 5 days ago
Moringa is a plant with many health benefits, but it is scarcely used by people. WALE ADEPOJU writes on its usefulness
Do you lack essential minerals and vitamins? Take moringa seeds, leaves or drumsticks (immature green pods) for relief.
Traditional medicine practitioners have identified moringa plant as a remedy for many health challenges.
But, do people don’t take advantage of it?
The answer is many are still ignorant of its effectiveness; as such, they allow it to lay fallow and unused.
This is despite the plant’s availability across the world. It is found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, and even in Nigeria and other countries in the tropics.
No part of moringa is useless, from its leaves to bark; its flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine.
Other names for the plant are Zogale in Hausa, ewe iyanu in Yoruba,
A naturopath, Dr Lambo Adebisi, said moringa is used to cure anaemia because it boosts blood production. “Arthritis and other joint pain, such as rheumatism, and asthma can be managed using the plant. It is also good for the management of cancer and diabetes.
“It relieves constipation and diarrhea, and makes epileptic patients feel better. People who have stomach pain, stomach and intestinal ulcers and spasms can get better using the plant.
“It is also used by natural healers to treat headache, heart problems, high blood pressure; kidney stones; fluid retention; thyroid disorders; and bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections,” he said.
He also said it is used for treating swelling, increase sex drive as an aphrodisiac, and prevent unwanted pregnancy.
“Moringa is also an immune booster, and can increase breast milk production.
“Today, people use it as a nutritional supplement or tonic. They put in their food, such rice or stew like ewedu.
Some herbalists apply it on the skin to kill germ or as a drying agent.
“They also use it to treat abscesses, athlete’s foot, dandruff, gum disease (gingivitis), snakebites, warts, and wounds,” Adebisi said.
A traditional medicine practitioner, Dr Godwin Ihesie said the plant is taken by the Hausa as vegetables, adding that the Yoruba used at it as cure (gbogbolese).
He said moringa seed oil is used in foods, perfume, and hair care products, and as a machine lubricant.
“Moringa leaves can retain lots of vitamins and minerals even when dried.
“The immature green pods (drumsticks) are prepared similarly to green beans, while the seeds are removed from more mature pods and cooked like peas or roasted like nuts.
“The leaves can be cooked and used like spinach, and they are also dried and ground into powdered as condiment.
“The seed cake remaining after oil extraction is used as a fertiliser and also to purify well water and to remove salt from sea water.
He said moringa contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals, adding: “It works as an antioxidant and help to protect cells from being damage,” Ihesie added.
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