MORINGA LEAVES ( MURINGA ILA )

INTRODUCTION TO LESSER KNOWN

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT SPECIES OF KERALA

VOL. 11

 

COMMON NAME:- DRUMSTICK LEAVES

OTHER NAMES:

Sahjan,

Moringa,

                             Horseradish tree,         
                             Surajana,

Amukira,  
Keramaddinagaddi,
Mulakkaya,
Shevga,

Saragvo,

Sojne danta,

                             Surajana,
                             Sajiwan.

BOTANIC NAME: - Moringa oleifera

MALAYALAM NAME: -  MURINGA ILA

Moringa leaves and flowers.

                The Drumstick tree (Moringa) is a perennial, erect, slender, medium-sized with many arching branches and grows up to an height of 3-5 meters. It has small white flowers, small round leaves and drumstick like pods.       

NUTRITIVE VALUE:-

The main constituents of Drumstick  plant are :
Protein,
 Vitamins: A,
Vitamins: B1,
Vitamins: B2,
Vitamins: B3,
Vitamins: C,
Calcium,
Iron,
Phosphorus,
Magnesium,
Deic acid,
Palmitic acid,
Stearic acid,
 Glycoside.

Moringa leaves and flowers.

MEDICINAL VALUE:-

In the traditional medicine Moringa leaves and flowers are used as a remedy for stomach complaints, hay fever, impotence, hemorrhoids, headaches and sore gums.

The moringa leaves are helpful in increasing breast milk in the breastfeeding months.

It is used to strengthen the eyes, brain, liver, digestive, respiratory and immune system.

It is also used as a blood purifier and blood builder, and for cancer treatment.

Moringa leaves are also stabilizes the Blood pressure.

Flowers infused in honey are used as a cough remedy.

FOOD VALUE:-

The leaves are cooked and used like Spinach. Dried and crushed leaves are used in soups and sauces.  The leaves are also used for making various types of curries. The flowers are edible when cooked and are said to taste like mushrooms.

METHOD OF CULTIVATION:-

Moringa plant can easily establish by cutting or by seed. Seed can be sown either directly or in containers. No seed treatment is required.

FOOT NOTE:-

It is reported that these humble leaves are a powerhouse of nutritional value.  Moringa leaves contain:

More than 25 percent protein, which is as much as in eggs   

and twice the amount of milk,

7 times the vitamin C in oranges,

4 times the Calcium in milk,

4 times the vitamin A in carrots, and

3 times the Potassium in bananas.

Moringa leaves .