Moringa Tree

 

Moringa oleifera is one the most widely cultivated species of the genus Moringa, which is the only genus in the family Moringaceae. 

Other  common English names includes: 

• Moringa

• Drumstick tree (from the appearance of the long, slender, triangular seed-pods).

• Horseradish tree (from the taste of the roots, which resembles horseradish).

• Ben oil tree, or benzoil tree] (from the oil which is derived from the seeds). 

 

In German  moringa called as  Pferderettichbaum.Behenussbaum, Behenbaum,  Flügelsaniger Bennussbaum,

 

In Italian moringa called  as Muringa., Sàndalo ceruleo Portuguese, Cedra (Brazil), Marungo, Moringuiero, Acácia branca,

 

In French moringa called as Ben oléifère, Bèn ailé, Arbre radis du cheval. Benzolive, Moringa, 

In Spanish moringa called as Morango, Ben, Árbol del ben,  Moringa.

 

Scientific classification

Moringa oleifera

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Eudicots

(unranked): Rosids

Order: Brassicales

Family: Moringaceae

Genus: Moringa

Species: M. oleifera

Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables. 

It can also be used for water purification and hand washing, and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.

 

Moringa  species

Moringa arborea Verdc. (Kenya)

Moringa borziana Mattei

Moringa concanensis Nimmo

Moringa drouhardii Jum. – bottle tree (southwestern Madagascar)

Moringa hildebrandtii Engl. – Hildebrandt's moringa (southwestern Madagascar)

Moringa longituba Engl.

Moringa oleifera Lam. (syn. M. pterygosperma) – horseradish tree (northwestern India)

Moringa ovalifolia Dinter & Berger

Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) 

Moringa pygmaea Verdc.

Moringa rivae Chiov.

Moringa ruspoliana Engl.

Moringa stenopetala

 

Health Benefits of Moringa

Moringa oleifera is often called as the drumstick tree, tree of life, the miracle tree, the ben oil tree, or the horseradish tree.

Moringa contains natural vitamin A and B-complex such as  vitamin B1 (thiamine)
    B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B-6(folate)

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid):

Our body also uses vitamin C to make skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.  Ascorbic acid is essential vitamin to  repair and maintain cartilage, bones and teeth, to heal wounds and to form scar tissue in our body. Vitamin C plays important role in synthesis of collagen.

Natural minerals such as

Calcium
Potassium
Iron
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Zinc