Moringa

Moringa ( malunggay)

Moringa, also known as the Miracle Tree, is a multipurpose plant, as the leaves, pods, fruits, flowers, roots and bark of the tree can be utilized. The most widely cultivated variety of the genus Moringa. It is of the family Moringaceae. It is an exceptionally nutritious vegetable tree with a variety of potential uses. Moringa tree leaves are the richest natural sources of Vitamins and Minerals on the face of the Earth. 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

The powdered leaves are high in vitamins, minerals and protein. Just one teaspoon contains all the vitamins and minerals required each day, together with much of the daily requirements of protein, iron and calcium. Dried moringa leaves have been used with great success to combat malnutrition among children and babies. One teaspoon of the powder is added to their porridge or cereal three times a day. They rapidly regain their health and begin to put on weight. The powder has also been found to improve ulcers, eye problems and skin troubles.

One rounded tablespoon (8 g) of leaf powder will satisfy about 14% of the protein, 40% of the calcium, 23% of the iron and nearly all the vitamin A needs for a child aged 1-3. Six rounded spoonfuls of leaf powder will satisfy nearly all of a woman's daily iron and calcium needs during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It also shows the percent of the RDA for a 1-3 year old child with one rounded tablespoon of powder added to its food, three times daily.

Moringa contains more than 90 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants. With all the health benefits of moringa, it can easily be termed as the most nutritious plant on the face of the earth.

Antioxidants:
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B (Choline), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) , Vitamin B2 (Rivoflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6, Alanine, Alpha-Carotene, Arginine, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Sitosterol, Caffeoylquinic Acid, Campesterol, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Chromium, Delta 5- Avenasterol, Delta 7 Avenasterol, Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile, Kaempferal, Leucine, Lutein, Methionine, Myristic-Acid, Palmitic Acid, Prolamine, Proline, Quercitin, Rutin, Selenium, Threonine, Tryptophan, Xanthins, Xanthopyll, Zeatin, Zeaxanthin, Zinc.

Anti- Inflammatory Compounds:
Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Arginine, Beta-Sistosterol, Caffeoylquinic Acid, Calcium, Chlorophyll, Copper, Cystine, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, Fiber, Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile, Isoleucine, Kaempferal, leucine, Magnesium, Oleic-Acid, Phenylalanine, Potassium, Quercitin, Rutin, Selenium, Stigmasterol, Sulfur, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Zeatin,

VITAMINS:
Vitamin A (Alpha and Beta Carotene), B,B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, Folate (Folic Acid), Biotin and much more.

MINERALS:
Calcium, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Fluorine, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Molydenum, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Selenium, Sulfur, Zinc.

AMINO ACIDS:
Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Cystine, Glutamine, Glycine, Histidine, Proline, Serine, Tyrosine.

OTHER NUTRIENTS:
Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Cytokins, Flavonoids, Omega 3,6 9 oils, Plant Sterols, Polyphenols, Lutein, Xanthins, Rutin and many more.

Benefits of Moringa Leaves

1. Gives a feeling of wellness and promotes energy, yet this is not a sugar      based energy
2. Increases natural body defense and stimulates metabolism
3. Stimulates the cell structure of the body
4. Rich in vitamin A, provides nourishment to the eyes and brain
5. Balances level of cholesterol
6. Balances level of sugar
7. Rich in anti-oxidants, beautifies the skin and lowers the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
8. Improves functioning of kidney and liver
9. Promotes healthy digestion
10. Promotes body's immune system
11. Promotes circulatory system and controls blood pressure
12. Promotes anti-inflammatory features, heals arthritis pain
13. Heals tumors and ulcers
14. Balances hormone and gland system
15. Detoxify body from poisons
16. Helps relax and promotes good night sleep
17. Purifies water 

                         
                    Nuritional Value of Moringa leaves

Fresh Moringa Leaves	Dried Moringa Leaves (gram for gram)
4X the beta carotene than carrots –	10X Vitamin A than carrots
7X vitamin C in oranges	50% Vitamin C than oranges
4X calcium in milk	17X calcium than milk
2X protein in milk or yogurt	9X the protein of yogurt
3X potassium in bananas	15X the potassium of bananas
74% of the iron in spinach	25X the iron from spinach

Nutritionists aver that 100 grams of malunggay leaves yield the following: 75 calories of energy (higher than ampalaya, squash, tomatoes, or carrots), 5.9 grams protein (higher than cauliflower, lettuce, or mustard), 12.8 grams carbohydrate (higher than okra, papaya, or watermelon), 353 milligrams calcium (higher than gabi leaves, mung beans, squash, and camote tops), 3.7 milligrams niacin (higher than other vegetables analyzed). And for thiamin, phosphorus, and ascorbic acid, malunggay is at the top of the list.

In addition, nutritionists affirm that 200 grams of malunggay leaves would give a nutritive value roughly equivalent to four eggs and two glasses of milk. Its iron compound prevents deficiency of red blood cells known as anemia. And being a very rich source of calcium, it aids in maintaining healthy bones and teeth.

Malunggay is also rich in vitamin A (higher than red and green mung beans, radish, or eggplant), thus helping prevent xerophthalmia, a disease of the eye. Adults are urged to eat malunggay leaves as its vitamin C content is higher than those of ampalaya leaves. Vitamin C may protect against declining mental ability and stroke. In studies with elderly people, researchers found that low vitamin C levels contributed to shower reasoning skills, which was a strong factor in their dying from stroke.