Malunggay
(Moringa Oleifera), is a popular plant known for nutritional value as well as a
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.
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, combat malnutrition, used to
combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers vitamins A, B
and C, calcium, iron and proteinMalunggay - 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.