MORINGA OLEIFERA [Drum stick, Horse radish tree]
Tamil=
Murungai, Tel:Mulakaya Malayal: Munringa, Kannad: Nugge Hin: Mungana
The
plant is a tall shrub growing to 12feet or more and stem is weak, ready to
break and can never be climbed on. Branches stretch in different angles/
directions with dense foliage and heavy output of long rod like pods.
Leaf
and pods are used as vegetable; hot seasons of climate are the times of
fruit-bearing. In South India, fruits are used in ‘Sambar making’ and leaves
are used as ‘greens’.
Either
has a huge appeal among consumers and ‘moringa
products’ appeal as of medicinal value as aphrodisiac materials. Moringa foliage is a good cattle feed
too. In some parts, moringa is used for water purification. Seeds of ‘moringa’
can yield oil that is used in cooking and in cosmetics.
Contents
[per 100 g ]include water= above 76%, energy- 37 k cal , Carbohydrates =8.53%,
Dietary fibre=3.2%, fat =0.20%
Leaves
of ‘moring’ are the most nutritious, as they provide good quantities of Vitamins-B,
C,K , Beta carotenes, Manganese and Calcium[= 430 -1050mg per 100g ]
GUM: Like several plant species, Moringa trees also exude a resinous
matter –the gum [gondh]. It is consumed by men in faith of enhancing vitality.
The gum is dry and in pellet form. Soaked in warm water [4-5 gms] and left for
3 hours forming a gel; the gel is consumed. Alternatively the gum is consumed in milk or honey.
In
all, ‘Moringa’ is a very common leaf/fruit
vegetable that easily replenishes essential mineral components of value to
human health.
Moringa products are good to improve iron deficiency.The hairy caterpillar is the common pest on Moringa
ReplyDeleteMoringa is a versatile plant. Now I come to know that it produces a useful gum also. One of it's effect was implicitly expressed by director/ actor Bakiaraj in one of his movies.
ReplyDelete