The Wonders of Malunggay
Posted on | July 4, 2010 | No Comments
Malunggay, with scientific name Moringa oleifera Lam., is known worldwide for its many diverse benefits. All parts of the plant is used and can be useful depending on the user’s needs. In most places in Asia, Malungaay leaves are not only eaten but are also used in first aid. It is actually a tree that is said to be native to India but has reached other tropical regions. Here in the Philippines, it grows rapidly fast and with ease in nearly every backyard or even on empty lots and sidewalks.
So why is it effective to use Malunggay for first aid? Well, it has a significant amount of ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) that helps a lot in the healing of wounds. It also contains significant Beta-Sitosterol, iodine, Kaempferol, Oleic-Acid, Pterygospermin, Quercetin, Sulphur, and Tocopherol, all of which are known to contributed to assisting in the healing of wounds.
But before I go into the HOW of it, here are some of Malunggay’s general benefits:
- The leaves help strengthen the immune system.
- It is very useful in restoring skin condition, as well as control blood pressure, relieve headaches and migraines.
- It also helps to strengthen eye muscles, and heal inflammation of the joints and tendons.
- Malunggay juice or extracts can prevent intestinal worms. Children can eat the seeds for this same effect.
- Malunggay helps increase semen count as well as normalize blood sugar level. A good food for preventing diabetes.
- It has anti-cancer compounds or known as phytochemicals that help stop cancer cells from growing.
- It relaxes and promotes good night sleep.
- It can also be used to treat fever and asthma, as well as heal ulcers.
In terms of minerals and vitamins, Malunggay is rich in calcium and is said to be four times the calcium found in milk. Lactating mothers are often advised to consume more malunggay leaves to produce more milk for their babies. Even young malunggay leaves are boiled and taken as tea. Malunggay contains three times the potassium in bananas, and four times the vitamin A in carrots, not to mention, the same Vitamin C content as seven oranges. Malunggay leaves also contain two times the protein in milk. So with this information, why won’t you try eating Malunggay? Okay, if you do not want to eat Malunggay, here is a way for it to be useful also..
Can you imagine what will happen if the bleeding will not stop in the wound seen in the image below?
Guess what should be done with just the use of Malunggay to stop the bleeding.. Can you guess?
That’s pounded Malunggay leaves. Pounded so that juice may be extracted from the leaves, which then is placed on the spot of the wound. Most often, the pounded leaves of Malunggay are directly placed unto the wound. It will have cooling effect as well as stop the bleeding, and helps the wound heal faster. Powdered Malunggay seeds can also be used to treat wounds.
Other names of Malunggay:
- Ben Nut
- Benzolive Tree
- Drumstick Tree
- Horseradish Tree
- Jacinto (Sp.)
- Moringa
- West Indian Ben
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