Moringa is a drought-resistant, fast-growing tree with many uses. In fact, practitioners of
Ayurvedic medicine have said that this tree can be used to prevent and treat over 300 diseases.
All parts of the plant can be used for medicinal purposes, including the root, seeds, flowers, bark, and leaves. It has been nicknamed “the miracle plant” because of all of the medical and nutritional benefits that can be gained from its use. Other names include kelor tree, malunggay, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, Ben nut tree, and Indian horseradish.
WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND:
India, Africa, East Indies, Central America, tropical South America, Sri Lanka, India, Mexico, Malabar, Malaysia, Philippines
PROPERTIES AND USE:
Febrifuge, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antifungal. Treats gout, insect bites, wounds, poor circulation, high cholesterol, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, colds, ear infection, bronchitis, spleen conditions, poor lactation.
TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
To improve the flow and quality of breast milk, juice the moringa flower. Consume
1/2 to 1 cup per day. For all other conditions, make an infusion with 3 tablespoons dried moringa flower added to 1 liter boiling water. Strain, and drink in place of water. You may also make an infusion by grinding the dried leaves of 3 stalks and adding it to 1 liter boiling water. Cooled, this can be used as a wash for fungal or bacterial infections. You may wish to add lemon and sweetener. For spleen and liver conditions, eat the raw pods. This is also great for treating parasites. For insect bites, fungal, or bacterial infections, apply the extract directly to the skin. For bleeding wounds, apply a fresh leaf poultice.
