Moringa

PLANTING A COVID-19 THERAPEUTIC GARDEN

DISCLAIMER

THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL FOR AGRICULTURAL, MEDICINAL AND HEALTH ADVICE.

When we hear of the moringa plant, we should be aware that there are many species of moringa. The moringa that most of us know is the Moringa oleifera. This is widely cultivated in tropical climates and grows best between 25 and 35 degrees centigrade. This plant is well known for its nutritional and healing properties. The fact that moringa is extremely nutritious and grows quickly and easily from both seeds and cuttings, makes it ideal for householders to cultivate in times of food scarcity.

Moringa is just one of the five crops suggested by Barbadian health and wellness consultant Everton 'Heru' Holligan to plant in your COVID-19 therapeutic garden. Read this edition of Grown at Home Magazine (December 2022) for some additional crops .

Other Names

Tree of life, miracle tree, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, ben oil tree and benzolive tree.

Not only is the moringa tree useful for fighting the COVID-19 virus but it is also an ideal food source when food security is threatened.

Age of Maturity

4 – 5 months

Uses

The moringa plant is extremely versatile. Your household can utilise the seeds, flowers, leaves, pods, and the bark.

Health

The leaves may be consumed fresh or dried. They are nutrient rich in vitamin C and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll aids in circulation and in the oxygenating of cells. The nutrients in moringa aid the overall health of the body and a quick recovery from COVID-19.

Provides Sustenance in Countries with Malnutrition

What is most intriguing about the moringa tree is that it is used to fight malnutrition in countries such as Zambia, Uganda, Ethiopia and Malawi because of the unusually wide range of nutritional content within the plant. Moringa is rich in micronutrients. Micronutrients are necessary for a balanced diet. In areas around the world where drought causes the shortage of food, especially nutritious food, moringa is still able to grow well.

This plant needs little water and is able to thrive in poor soil conditions in which other crops cannot survive.

Food

The leaves are most useful for consumption and some sources say that the roots contain toxins. The parts of the moringa plant may be used in the following ways:

Leaves

• Dry leaves as tea

• Grind in the blender and sprinkle dry leaves on your meals

• Vegetables – fresh or cooked https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l_ixV51LLhY

Seeds

• Roast and eat as nuts

• Grind and sprinkle over food

Flowers

• Tea

• Vegetables

Pods (or drumsticks)

• Young, soft pods are used as vegetables in some cultures. (However, only the pulp is eaten after cooking. The skin is discarded.)

Farming

The entire plant may be utilised as animal fodder.

Feel free to do more research about the wide range of uses for the different parts of the moringa tree.

How Moringa Grows

Moringa easily grows in the tropics.

It loves our warm climate and yet it does not mind growing in the shade.

Householders will find that it is an easy crop to plant because it does quite well in a poor soil environment. Here is how:

1. Moringa grows from seeds or cuttings but seeds grow faster.

2. Dry the pods and remove the seeds. To plant the seeds, first soak them for 24 hours.

3. Remove them from the water and take the fluff from the seeds.

4. It is best to place them in soil that allows for proper drainage. If not, the root tends to rot.

5. If you want one tree, plant about two seeds in a pot, 3 inches apart. This is because one may not germinate.

6. When the plant is young, water the seedlings every day. Do not allow the soil to thoroughly dry out.

7. When the seedlings are about 1 foot in height, transplant them into the ground about 10 feet apart.

8. Some say the roots of the moringa are invasive, so with most trees, do not plant too near to your house.

9. After a year and a half or less, there will be no need to water it. Instead, let nature water the tree. However, it will lose the leaves if left totally without water for over 6 months.

10. The moringa plant can grow to 30 feet. Do not be afraid to trim the tree to your desired height. It grows back extremely fast and will thicken and become lusher.

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT

According to healthline.com, moringa leaves are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. One cup of fresh, chopped leaves (21 grams) contains:

• Protein: 2 grams

• Vitamin B6: 19% of the RDA

• Vitamin C: 12% of the RDA

• Iron: 11% of the RDA

• Riboflavin (B2): 11% of the RDA

• Vitamin A (from beta-carotene): 9% of the RDA

• Magnesium: 8% of the RDA

Health benefits

• Rich in antioxidants.

• Helps to lower blood sugar levels. According to a small study in six people with diabetes, it was found that adding 50 grams of moringa leaves to a meal reduced the rise in blood sugar by 21%.

• May reduce inflammation.

• Lowers cholesterol.

How much moringa is safe to consume on a daily basis?

Ask a trusted certified health and wellness consultant to guide you especially if you are taking medication. Some recommend you start with ½ to 1 teaspoon of powder a day to avoid reactions like nausea and diarrhea. Observe your body’s reactions, and lower the daily dose, if necessary. Mixing the powder into a smoothie or sprinkling onto a meal is more tolerable than consuming the concentrated powder.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MORINGA

• Extremely rich in nutrients.

• Considered one of nature’s superfoods.

• Retains significant nutritional value when dried.

• Grown to nourish populations battling with malnutrition.

• Grows fast – up to 30 feet in a year.

• Grows cheaply and easily - needs little water and no fertiliser.

• Used in water purification in some countries. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ ojaYvaENmbU?feature

• Healthline talks about moringa, grown in Haiti, and castor oils. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ PHneWIyllT4?feature