A NEW MIRACLE SUPERFOOD?
For most of us in the Western worlds, the mention of Moringa Oleifera is usually followed by a response of ..What? Which is then likely followed by a seemingly unbelievable list of nutritional benefits, or a google search to the same effect. But why so sceptical unbelievable? Well, in large part because we in the Western worlds like to think that we’ve discovered it all and/or got it all figured out ? and partly because.. well, the list is pretty incredible. Here’s a brief run down from some of the internet’s more credible sources ~
Name: Moringa Oleifera, 1 of 14 species of the Moringaceae family (Iqbal S. and Bhanger M.I. 2006)
Also known as: horseradish tree from the taste of its roots, or the drumstick tree from the shape of its pods (Shih M.C., Chang C.M., Kang S.M., Tsai M.L. 2011)
Where: Native to India, Africa, Arabia, Southeast Asia, South America and the Pacific and Caribbean Islands (Iqbal S. and Bhanger M.I. 2006)
Edible parts: Pods, seeds, oil, leaves, stem, bark, flowers, and root (Hassan F.G. and Ibrahim M.A. 2013)
Usage: Herbal tea (leaves), paste (leaves), nectar syrup (flowers), radish (root), plant growth enhancer.
Pros: Dried leaves contain high levels of vitamins and minerals, as well as high levels of antioxidants, carotenoids and OAC units.
Claimed benefits:
* Increased vitality and energy
* Combats high-cholesterol, atherosclerosis, malnutrition & cancer (!)
* High level of folate, good during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
(Sources: Iqbal S. and Bhanger M.I. 2006; Shih M.C., Chang C.M., Kang S.M., Tsai M.L. 2011; Hassan F.G. and Ibrahim M.A. 2013)
Cons: Lacking conventional (Western) testing and analysis resulting in food and safety precautions (E.g. Food Standards Australia New Zealand have currently prohibited the sale of Moringa Oleifera for human consumption).
Cautions:
* Not all parts of the tree have been confirmed safe for regular consumption, in particular the seeds and pods. Whereby avoidance of pods and seeds are recommended at times of blood loss or for those with blood disorders (Agarwal V. n.d.)
Notes and sources:
* Hassan F.G. and Ibrahim M.A. 2013, ‘Moringa oleifera: Nature is Most Nutritious and Multi-Purpose Tree’, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Vol. 3, issue 4, ISSN 2250-3153.
* Iqbal S. and Bhanger M.I. 2006, ‘Effect of season and production location on antioxidantactivity of Moringaoleifera leaves grown in Pakistan’, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Vol. 19.
* Mathur B. 2005, ‘Trees for Life’, Moringa Book [Brochure], Wichita, Kansas.
* Shih M.C., Chang C.M., Kang S.M., Tsai M.L. 2011, ‘Effect of Different parts (Leaf, Stem and Stalk) and Seasons (Summer and Winter) on the Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Moringa oleifera’, Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 12, issue 9, 6077-6088.
* Agarwal V. n.d., ‘The Magical Moringa’, Ayurveda Research Papers, California College of Ayurveda.
* Feature image sourced from Jatropha World