Friday

Moringa, Tree of Life

Also known as Moringa oliefera, Moringa pterygosperma, Drumstick tree, (Horse)radish tree, Mother’s best friend, West Indian ben, Árbol del ben, Morango, Suhanjna Moringa, is native to north India but is now found throughout the tropics. It grows fast and reaches up to 12m. The bark is gray and thick and looks like cork, peeling in patches. It looses its leaves from December to January and new growth starts in
February to March. Moringa produces cream colored flowers when it is 8 months old and the flowering season begins in January and continues through to March. The fruit ripens from April to June and the pods are triangular in cross section, 30 to 50cm long and contain oily, black, winged seeds.

Temperature
It will survive in a temperature range of 25ºC to 40ºC but has been known to tolerate temperatures of 48ºC and light frosts.

Soil
Moringa prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils and grows best in well-drained loam to clay-loam. It tolerates clay soils but does not grow well if waterlogged

This is a plant of wide and diverse uses.
· Human food
· Animal fodder
· Water purification
· Natural medicines
· Fertilizer
· Living fence
· Natural pesticide
· Domestic cleaning agent
· Fuel wood and other uses

Its leaves are said to contain 7 times the vitamin C of oranges, 4 times the calcium in milk, 4 times the vitamin A in carrots, 3 times the potassium in bananas, and 2 times the protein in milk.
Human food
All Moringa food products have a very high nutritional value. You can eat the
leaves, especially young shoots, young pods, flowers, roots, and in some
species even the bark. Leaves are low in fats and carbohydrates and rich in
minerals, iron and vitamin B.

Fresh leaves
Of all the products of the tree the leaves are used the most. They become
tougher as they get older so it is best to pick the growing tips and young
leaves. Remove the leaves from the woody stem, as this will not soften
during cooking. The leaves can be used in the same way as spinach. An
easy way of cooking them is to steam 2 cups of freshly picked leaves for a
few minutes in one cup of water, seasoned with an onion, butter and salt or
other seasonings according to taste.


Seeds Found here

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2 comments:

moringa said...

I have also the skin problem and my friend suggested me moringa oil. I want to buy moringa online, please suggest me link that provide the best service.

Garden Medusa said...

You can buy seeds to grow your own plants. I don't know of anyone that sells oil.
Try http://www.centerofthewebb.com