Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) Herbal

Medicine

Malunggay Health Benefits, Dosage, Side effects and

Warnings.

Scientific Name: Moringa Oleifera

Other names:

"Malunggáy" in Philippines, "Sajina" in India, "Shojne" in Bengal,

"Munagakaya" in Telugu, "Shenano" in Rajasthani, "Shevaga" in
Marathi, "Nuggekai" in Kannada, "Drumstick Tree, Horse Radish Tree,
Ben Oil Tree" in English, "La mu" in Chinese.

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera), is a popular plant known for high

nutritional value as well as an herbal medicine. Malunggay is a plant
that grows in the tropical climates such as the Philippines, India and
Africa. Malunggay is widely used as vegetable ingredient in cooking, as
herbal medicine for a number of illness and other practical uses.
The Malunggay plant can grow to as high as 9 meters with erect white
trunks. The compound leaf has about 3 to 9 leaflets. Malunggay has
white fragrant flowers that produces long pods with 3-angled winged
seeds.

Malunggay may be propagated by planting its seeds about an inch in

the ground or matured malunggay stem cuttings of about 3 feet in
length may also be planted into the ground. Planted malunggay
cuttings grows faster compared to planted seeds.

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) has been used as herbal medicine in

many cultures for hundreds of years, Malunggay is known as a very
nutritious plant where it is used to combat malnutrition in third
world countries especially for infants and nursing mothers.

The malunggay pods are the most valued and widely used part of the
plant. Malunggay pods contains essential amino acids, vitamins and
other nutrients. Malunggay pods may be eaten raw or may be
prepared or cooked. Malunggay pods may be fried and may produce
a clear, odorless and sweet oil mostly called - Ben Oil.
Malunggay leaves may be eaten as greens, in salads and as vegetable
ingredients for soups and other tropical viands.
Malunggay flowers are cooked and eaten either mixed with other
foods or fried in batter.

Malunggay Traditional Medicinal Uses and

Health benefits

Malunggay has a long history of medical usage and has a long list of
folkloric health benefits for the following conditions.

Malunggay is widely believed to contain high value nutrients and

consumption of which promotes general well being. Malunggay is also
called a "miracle tree" primarilly for the various health benefits it can
provide for almost all kinds of diseases and medical conditions. More
over almost all of its parts have use - from its roots, pods, barks,
flowers and leaves. Listed below are some of the traditional herbal
treatment of malunggay.

Scalp problems. Malunggay leaves pounded and combined

with coconut oil is used to treat scalp problems and to promote hair
growth.

Boosts immune system. Boiled malunggay leaves contain immune

boosting nutrients used in sickness recovery.

Milk production in nursing mothers. Boiled malunggay leaves used to

promote milk production in nursing mothers.

Asthma. Malunggay leaves combined with honey and calamsi to treat

cough and asthma

Skin rejuvenation. Malunggay is used as skin restorer to promote skin

rejuvenation.
Hypertension. Malunggay soup is used to lower high blood pressure

Relaxant. Malunggay tea from bark or leaves is used to treat insomnia

and restlessness.

Anthelmintic. Malunggay pod is chewed to treat and prevent

intestinal parasites in children.

Diabetes. Malunggay is also recommended for sufferers of diabetes

Source of calcium. Malunggay is consumed to strengthen the bones

especially for growing children and older people due ot high calcium
content.

Anti-inflammatory. Malunggay oil or poultice is used to treat bone

and ligament related conditions that involve inflammations such as
gout, rheumatism, back pain, sprains and all srts of swelling.

Eye problems. Malunggay is also used to improve eye problems.

Believed to contain high amount of vitamin A, more than that of a
carrot.

Anti-cancer. Malunggay is used along with other herbal medicines to

treat cancer.
Leaves and fruit used for constipation and as diuretic.

Skin diseases. Decoction of boiled roots used to wash sores, cuts, skin
ulcers, wounds and other skin diseases to alleviate pain and promote
healing.

Stomach problems. Malungay is also used for stomach and intestinal

problems such as ulcers and constipation.

Abortificient. Malunggay roots and bark have been used as

abortifacient.
Boosts fertility. Malunggay flower with soy milk is used as aphrodisiac
and promote fertility for men.

Contraceptive. While malunggay roots are believed to suppress fertility,

chewed as a contraceptive by women.

Snake bites. Malunggay roots are also used to treat snake bites,

Ear problems. The juice from malunggay roots is used to treat ear
related problems (otalgia).

Science Research: Cassia alata Health Benefits

Malunggay, combat malnutrition, used to combat malnutrition,

especially among infants and nursing mothers. Contains vitamins A, B
and C, calcium, iron and protein.

Malunggay Anti infectious: Antibacterial; Anti Fungal, . In late 1940's,

The Department of Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science in
Bangalore (PLN Rao) have found that malunggay or Moringa Oleifera
leaves contain a compound "pterygospermin" that is known in
medical science as having antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti fungal
properties.

Malunggay Anti Cancer Malunggay or Moringa has been shown in

studies to have an anti-tumor capacity. Moringa contains benzyl
isothiocyanate. There are many studies that have shown this chemical
and compounds derived thereof to have anti-cancer and
chemoprotective capabilities. This chemoprotective aspect is critical
for those who are battling cancer; this helps strengthen cells so that
they can tolerate chemotherapy. Malunggay is also considered in the
treatment of prostate cancer and skin cancer. (Ref: Fuglie LJ (2000)
New Uses of Moringa Studied in Nicaragua. ECHO Development Notes
#68, June, 2000. ttp://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php?
name=News&file=article&sid=194)

Malunggay anti-inflamatory: Malunggay has been found to inhibit

inflammation in a controlled scientific study conducted by Philippine
DOST Scientists (Amelia P. Guevara, Carolyn Vargas and Milagros Uy).
When an aquous seed extract of malunggay has been administered to
a carrageenan induced inflammation, its was noted that the aquous
seed extract of the Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) inhibited the
development of edema in ratpaw. The Malunggay is traditionally used
to prevent and treat inflammations associated with rheumatism,
arthritis and joint pains.

Malunggay - Reproductive health. Fuglie LJ (1999) The Miracle Tree:

Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics has reported that
Malunggay or Moringa Oleifera is widely believed to have an
aphrodisiac action that enhances the sexual activity. Malunggay or
moringa oleifera young leaves is also widely used to increase the flow
of milk for lactating mothers.