CROPS

MORINGA OLEIFERA

ORIGIN

Moringa oleifera plant originated from northern india around 2000BC as a medical herb. The oral tradition of ayrurvedic medicine in india declared that moringa prevents 300 diseases. Moringa oil was also found in ancient Egyptian culture as protection for their skin from the ravages of desert weather. Later the Greeks found many healthy uses for moringa and introduced it to the romans. It spread eastward from india to lower parts of china, southeast asia and Philippines. From india it also spread westwards to Egypt, Africa and around the Mediterranean and finally to west indies In America.  

CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom ………………….  Plantae

Class ………………………..  Angiosperm

Sub-class …………………   Eudicots

Superorder ………………  Brassicales

Family ……………………..  Moringaceace

Genus ……………………..   Moringa

Species ……………………    Moringa Oleifera.

DISTRIBUTION

The moringa tree is grown mainly in semi-arid, tropical and sub-tropical areas, corresponding in the United States to USDA hardiness zones9 and 10 while it grows best in dry, sandy soil, it tolerates poor soil including coastal areas. It is a fast growing drought resistant tree that is native to the south foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India.

India is the greatest producer of moringa with an annual production of 1.1- 1.3 million tons of tender fruits from an area of 380km³. 

BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Moringa is a fast-growing, drought deciduous tree or shrub that reaches 12m in height at maturity; it has a wide-open, typically umbrella-shaped crown and usually a single stem. Its wood is soft and its bark is light, it tends to be deeply rooted. Its leaves are imparipinnate rachis 3 to 6cm long with 2-6 pairs of pinnules. Each pinnule has 3-5 obovate leaflets that are 1-2cm long. The terminal leaf is often slightly larger. Its leaf is quite pale when young, but become richer in color with maturity. Cream colored flowers emerge in sweet-smelling panicles during periods of drought or stress, when the tree loses its leaves. The pods are triangular in cross-section, 30 -50cm long and legume like in appearance. The oily seeds are black and winged.

MORINGA LEAVES

Moringa leaves are imparipinnate rachis 3 to 6cm long with 2-6 pairs of pinnules. Each pinnule has 3-5 obovate leavelets that are 1-2cm long. The terminal leaf is aften larger. Moringa leaves are pale when young, but become richer in colour with maturity. Cream  coloured flowers emerge in sweet-smelling panicles during periods of drought or stress when the tree loses its leaves. 

Moringa leaves are rich in protein, vitamins A, B, C and minerals. 100grams of fresh moringa leaves have 8.3grams of protein, 434mg calcuim, 404mg potassuim, 734µg vitamin A and 164µg vitamin C. feeding the high protein leaves has been shown to increase weight gain by up to 32% and milk production by 43-65%.

IMPORTANCE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA.

Moringa contains more than 92 nutrients and 46 different antioxidants. Moringa is said to cure about 300 diseases and have all the vitamins found in fruits and vegetables. Even in larger proportions with all the health benefits of this miracle tree, it can be easily termed as the most nutritious plant on earth. It can be consumed by small children and adults . today, millions all over the world have started using moringa based products in porridges, pastas, bread, etc to reap the health benefits of the extraordinary moringa plant.

Moringa contains …………………………………………………….

92 nutrients, 46 antioxidants, 36 anti-inflammatories, 18 amino acids.

Moringa helps the body in the following ways………………………………..

-          Nourishes the immune system.

-          Promotes healthy circulation.

-          Supports normal glucose level.

-          Natural anti-ageing benefits.

-          Provides anti-inflammatory support.

-          Promotes healthy digestion.

-          Promotes heightened mental clarity.

-          Boosts energy.

-          Encourages balanced metabolism.

-          Promotes softer skin.

-          Provides relief from acne.

-           Supports normal hormone levels.

Moringa dried leaf is a nutritional power house and contains the essential amino acids.

Moringa gives the following

-          2 times the protein of yoghurt.

-          3 times the potassium of Banana

-          4 times the calcium of milk.

-          4 times the vitamin A of carrot.

-          7 times the vitamin C of orange.

MORINGA OIL

Moringa oil is processed from dried seeds. Moringa oil is pressed from moringa seeds and can be used in cooking, hair and skin care. The moringa oil contains vitamins A, B, C, and E. it also contains contains unsaturated fatty acids, palmitoleic, oleic, and linoleic acids. It has a high concentration of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. moringa seed oil contains more anti-oxidants  than any known plant and is considered by experts to be one of the greatest cosmetic oil ever discovered.

IMPORTANCE OF MORINGA OIL.

-          ANTI AGEING. Cytokinins are plant hormones that promote celluar growth and delay the ageing process by postponimg the death of cells and destruction of tissues. The most potent cytokinin is zeatin. Moringa contains thousands of times more zeatin than any other plant. It helps build collagen which improves skin conditions.

-          NATURAL HEALING EMOLIENT. Helps with dry, rough skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.

-          Protects skin from environmental damage.

-          Natural detoxifier and cleanser.

-          Encourages skin natural health and glow.

-          HAIR. It improves scalp circulation which aids in preventing hair loss. moringa can also be used in conditioner or hot oil treatment and does wonders for itchy, irritated scalp or damaged hair.

-          Moringa oil is the most stable oil in nature and does not rancid. It is a healthy cooking oil.