Concept in Definition ABC

Moringa is a plant whose scientific name is moringa oleifera. It is a tree native to India and its fruits are used for feeding of humans and animals.

From the point of view of botany, this plant belongs to the family moringacea and has a single gender and thirteen different species. Its appearance is not very harmonious, but its growth is rapid and its culture it is highly productive. After planting, in one year the moringa can reach a height of three meters. Its foliage is dense and its fruit is shaped like a longitudinal pod. The moringa seed has oil, specifically an oil with oleic acids that is similar to olive oil.

Moringa adapts to all types of environments; arid, semi-arid, tropical and subtropical zones

It can even be grown in desert areas. Its cultivation allows in turn to combat soil erosion.

With moringa you can make a wide range of dishes: combined with rice, in broths, in salads, in Spanish tortillas. corn or combined with chicken.

Health benefits

Its leaves have been used as an important part of traditional medicine in various countries to cure various diseases. Thus, it is used to prevent malnutrition, childhood blindness associated with vitamin deficiencies, to counteract the effects of diabetes, to normalize blood pressure and is highly valued for its properties anti-inflammatory. Among athletes it is highly appreciated, since it is a multivitamin plant. Its roots are used to heal ailments of the circulatory system or to prevent diarrhea. Moringa leaves have a high content of vitamin C.

All parts of the plant are edible and, in this sense, it has nutritional properties due to the protein and minerals it contains. In some countries in Asia and Africa, this plant is highly valued for treating child malnutrition problems, as it provides iron, phosphorus and calcium.

For all these reasons, FAO campaigns so that this plant serves to alleviate malnutrition in the world.

In animal feed

Moringa is revolutionizing the feeding of animals in some territories. This is due to its high protein content and low cost. For this reason, serves to feed all kinds of animal species, especially cattle, sheep and birds. It should be borne in mind that of the essential amino acids that are known, most are possessed by moringa.

Photos: Fotolia - Luis Echeverri Urrea / Nakornchaiyajina