The Moringa Tree (Moringa oleifera) is a small (about 20’ in height) fast growing tree that is a good food source containing many beneficial
nutrients and is also used in medicine. The leaves fruit and seeds are edible but the roots may be toxic. Because of its many good qualities it is
also called the Miracle Tree and is being planted in third world countries to help overcome hunger. It has also been suggested for planting as a
survival food. Seeds are readily available through the internet from many sources but the price varies widely from $0.05 to $2.00 per seed from what I
have seen in a quick search.
The stems are very brittle so it has no use as a wood source but has been used as a live fence if planted very close together.
“Moringa 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.
Moringa is used for “tired blood” (anemia); arthritis and other joint pain (rheumatism); asthma; cancer; constipation; diabetes; diarrhea;
epilepsy; stomach pain; stomach and intestinal ulcers; intestinal spasms; headache; heart problems; high blood pressure; kidney stones; fluid
retention; thyroid disorders; and bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections.
Moringa is also used to reduce swelling, increase sex drive (as an aphrodisiac), prevent pregnancy, boost the immune system, and increase breast milk
production. Some people use it as a nutritional supplement or tonic.
Moringa is sometimes applied directly to the skin as a germ-killer or drying agent (astringent). It is also used topically for treating pockets of
infection (abscesses), athlete’s foot, dandruff, gum disease (gingivitis), snakebites, warts, and wounds.
Oil from moringa seeds is used in foods, perfume, and hair care products, and as a machine lubricant.
Moringa is an important food source in some parts of the world. Because it can be grown cheaply and easily, and the leaves retain lots of vitamins and
minerals when dried, moringa is used in India and Africa in feeding programs to fight malnutrition. The immature green pods (drumsticks) are prepared
similarly to green beans, while the seeds are removed from more mature pods and cooked like peas or roasted like nuts. The leaves are cooked and used
like spinach, and they are also dried and powdered for use as a condiment.
The seed cake remaining after oil extraction is used as a fertilizer and also to purify well water and to remove salt from seawater.
How does it work?
Moringa contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals. As an antioxidant, it seems to help protect cells from damage.”
Source for above quote:
The seeds can purify water by removing up to 95% of harmful bacteria.
The Moringa Tree is easy to grow and can tolerate different soil types but prefers light well drained sandy or loamy soil with a neutral to slightly
acidic pH of 6.3-7.0. It can tolerate infrequent light frosts but can be grown in pots and overwintered indoors in colder regions.
My big question is that since it is so fast growing and has so many vitamins and minerals is the tree producing them or removing them from the soil
that will over time deplete the soil making it worse? I keep thinking: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
The only bad thing about the Moringa Tree that I could find were that it can be damaged by rabbits and deer.