Other Names:drumstick tree, Arango, Árbol de las Perlas, Behen, Ben Nut Tree, Benzolive, Chinto Borrego, Clarifier Tree, Horseradish Tree, Indian Horseradish, Jacinto, Kelor Tree, Malunggay, Marango, Mlonge, Moringa, Moringa oleifera, Moringa pterygosperma, Mulangay, Murungakai, Narango, Nebeday, Paraíso Blanco, Perla de la India, Sahjna, Saijan, Saijhan, Sajna, San Jacinto, Shagara al Rauwaq, Shigru, Terebinto.<br>Drumstick tree is a plant that is native to the sub-Himalayan areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is also grown in the tropics. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine. The superfood known as moringa (from the moringa tree) contains several thousand times more of the powerful anti-aging nutrient zeatin than any other known plant — and that it also has 2 compounds that prevent cancer and stop tumor growth.The moringa is a genus of trees indigenous to Southern India and Northern Africa. It is a short, slender, deciduous, perennial tree that grows about 30 feet tall.Once grown only in India, Africa and the Himalayas, it is now cultivated in Central and South America, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the Philippines.The leaves, flowers, bark, wood and roots of the moringa tree are used all over the world for a wide variety of medicinal, pharmacological and nutritional purposes. But it’s the leaves of the species called moringa oleifera, in particular, which have become recognized in recent years as being highly beneficial to human health.Compared to other green superfoods like spirulina, wheat grass and chlorella, moringa oleifera has been relatively unknown until recent years when reports appeared in mainstream scientific journals describing its medicinal and nutritional properties.
==Special Precautions of Moringa==
Moringa root bark is not a "female tonic" herb. It should not be taken by women during their childbearing years, because it is an abortifacicant. The plant chemicals in moringa root cause the fertilized egg not to be able to attach to the lining of the uterine wall. Traditional literature indicates that moringa root was used as a permanent form of birth control. Moringa root bark can cause violent and potentially fatal uterine contractions. However, moringa leaf is a wonderful herb to help breastfeeding mothers produce more milk for their babies.
==The benefits of Moringa are==
It’s the leaves of the species called moringa oleifera, in particular, which have become recognized in recent years as being highly beneficial to human health.Compared to other green superfoods like spirulina, wheat grass and chlorella, moringa oleifera has been relatively unknown until recent years when reports appeared in mainstream scientific journals describing its medicinal and nutritional properties.
Moringa, which has been called the “Miracle Tree” in many indigenous cultures, contains more than 90 essential nutrients. Folk medicine practitioners and anecdotal reports suggest moringa’s great value in reducing tumors or retarding their growth.
Studies show that 2 compounds that are present in moringa cause a dramatic reduction of skin tumors, and even inhibit tumors in lab mice that are bred to be susceptible to tumors. This has earned moringa the reputation of being a cancer preventative plant.
*Moringa leaf may improve glucose tolerance in diabetics based on a clinical study involving rats : In a 2006 study performed at Tokyo University of Agriculture, moringa was fed to rats with diabetes in order to determine the effects of moringa leaf powder on glucose tolerance. The researchers noted "major" amounts of polyphenols in moringa, especially quercitin and rutin. After ingesting moringa powder, the rats showed a significant reduction in their blood glucose levels as compared to the control groups during a glucose tolerance test. The scientists concluded that moringa did have a positive effect on lowering glucose levels. They believe this is because of the quercitin content in moringa. While insulin levels were not monitored in this study, the researchers remarked that moringa leaf may have a positive effect on insulin secretion and action.
*Moringa root bark kills ovarian cancer cells due to unique phytochemicals : Medscape General Medicine reported a study involving moringa root's effectiveness against post-menopausal epithelial ovarian cancer. This cancer is caused by a combination of failing ovaries and an over-productive pituitary gland. The only herb which has been clinically demonstrated to have a positive effect on female reproductive system cancer is moringa oleifera Lam, because it has both female hormonal and anti-tumor properties. Scientists chose to test moringa root bark because it contains two more alkaloid chemicals than does the rest of the plant. The researchers in this study believe it is these chemicals in the moringa root bark which affect sex hormones. Traditional herbal medicine bears this belief out.
Uses :
*TAKEN BY MOUTH
**“Tired blood” (anemia).
**Arthritis.
**Asthma.
**Cancer.
**Constipation.
**Birth control.
**Diabetes.
**Diarrhea.
**Epilepsy.
**Stomach pain (gastritis).
**Stomach and intestinal ulcers.
**Headache.
**Heart problems.
**High blood pressure.
**Kidney stones.
**Swelling (inflammation).
**Thyroid disorders.
**Infections.
**Increasing breast milk production.
**As a nutritional supplement.
**Stimulating immunity.
**Increasing sex drive.
*APPLIED TO THE SKIN
**Athlete’s foot.
**Dandruff.
**Warts.
**Skin infections.
**Snakebites.
**Gum disease (gingivitis).
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Ayurveda]]