What do we know about Moringa (Nébédai in Wolof, Jamboo in Mandinka and Binêbeddai in Jola)

Infertility has been a global challenge and there is lots of treatment: some good, some failed, some ineffective. Research from various labs has shown that natural herbal medicines can be applied to cure both male and female infertility, one of which is Moringa.

Dealing with infertility problems both for men and women poses psychological trauma and affects the well being of the people concerned. Also, the difficulty experienced while trying to conceive a child is similar to those with fatal diseases such as cancer and HIV and hence becomes an area that needs urgent attention.

Dr Hassan Azadeh, a senior lecturer at the University of The Gambia and a senior consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Mr Matthias Ketteler, Chairman of Project Aid The Gambia, an NGO producing Moringa plantation at Jahali village will this week focus on the huge human health benefits of this ‘Nebedai’ plant growing throughout the country.

Moringa fodder in ruminant nutrition in The Gambia

The plant moringa oleifera is very popular (locally known as ‘Nébédai’) in the Senegambia region where it exists principally in scattered uncultivated forms. It is mainly consumed in various forms as food in the region although a few useful extra-culinary attributes have been suggested.

The moringa oleifera variously known as drumstick tree, etc has been systematically investigated during the last three years at ITC. The moringa plant is well known for its enormous biomass production and it promises to be the plant of the future. Although not completely strange in the West African biosphere, this grossly underexploited plant has a lot to offer as a food and fodder resource in the sub-region.

Considering the agro-ecological characteristics of the sub-region in general and The Gambia in particular, the plant needs to be further investigated and modalities of integration into the farming system carefully conducted on the merits of the respective locations.

Moringa herbal medicine has been discovered to be very rich in: minerals, antioxidants, high protein density and vitamins: Vitamin A (beta carotene), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin E (Tocopherol) and Vitamin K and good cholesterol.

The breakdown of the nutrients was further analysed:

Calcium equivalent: 4 glasses of milk

Vitamin C equivalent: 7 oranges

Potassium equivalent: 3 bananas which is 3 times the iron of spinach

4 times the amount of vitamin A in carrots

2 times the protein in milk

It is therefore discovered that the best herbal treatment for infertility is moringa oleifera.

Moringa, the multi-purpose super food with endless health benefits

What is particularly unique about moringa is the fact that every part of the plant, including its bark, leaves, flowers, and roots serves a unique purpose in promoting human health. Its seeds, for instance, contain up to 40 percent of a non-drying, edible oil known as “Ben Oil” that is rich in antioxidants and similar in its nutritional profile to olive oil. The clear, sweet, odourless oil also has an indefinite shelf life, as it does not turn rancid like many other oils.

“The leaves, flowers, seeds, pods, roots, bark, gum, and seed oil from the moringa (malunggay) plant are continually being subjected to intensive research and development programs because the various constituents of the moringa are known to have, among other properties, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and anti-aging activities.”

Perhaps the most utilized component of Moringa is its leaves, which can be dried and ground up into a nutrient-dense, tart-flavoured powder. According to another report in the Manila Bulletin, Moringa powder contains seven times the amount of vitamin C typically found in oranges, four times the amount of vitamin A in carrots, 36 times the amount of magnesium in eggs, 25 times the amount of iron in spinach, 50 times the amount of vitamin B3 in peanuts, and 50 times the vitamin B.

Like Ben Oil, moringa leaf powder does not spoil, which makes it an excellent long-term survival food. Particularly in the developing countries, moringa powder provides nutritional sustenance at a level unparalleled by most other food plants. And because moringa seeds can grow to full-size, harvestable trees in as few as 65 days, the moringa plant is a highly-sustainable source of food that is virtually unmatched in its viability and usefulness.

Processes involved

1. Making herbal tonic: Get the extracts of five to ten drumstick flowers by boiling it.

2. Mix 1 with a cup of cow milk.

3. To sweeten the mixture, add 1 teaspoon of sugar.

This process should span between a week and a month while tests should be carried out for changes or improvements. The resulting tonic can cure infertility of both males and females.

Also, additional facts for men suffering from erectile dysfunction making a soup out of moringa drumstick seeds mixed with a bit of pepper and ginger. The bark of moringa tree is turned into powder and when taken internally improves semen quality.

The moringa tree with its edible leaves, flowers, and pods are one of most power packed, nutritious trees in the world. It is also one of the most healing trees in the world. The entire tree is either used for food, medicine, or cooking. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years to both prevent and treat almost 300 diseases.

The information in this article is not based on double blind research but on the historical and current usage of moringa leaves, flowers, and pods in India, and many other countries. This is how the people have used it in the past and how they use it now. Much of this information was observed and documented in the different health projects by physicians in their treatment of AIDS, malnutrition, and disease.

How Moringa leaves can have an impact on so many problems?

Many health problems are due to poor nutrition, malnutrition and imbalanced disease states, which result in immune system breakdown and disease. When you correct those imbalances and nutritional deficiencies with super packed nutritious food, it is bound to improve health and disease states. The ability for moringa leaves, flowers, bark, and pods to have such diverse healing effects is due to the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healing elements the tree contains.

A review of Moringa’s power packed nutrition:

Here is a nutritional breakdown of fresh moringa leaves: 7 times the Vitamin C of Oranges; 4 times the Calcium of Milk; 3 times the Potassium of Bananas; 2 times the Protein of Yogurt; 4 times the Vitamin A of Carrots; and ¾ the iron of Spinach.

Moringa leaves when dried become a even greater, powerhouse of nutrition containing: ½ the Vitamin C of Oranges; 17 times the Calcium of Milk; 15 times the Potassium of Bananas; 9 times the Protein of Yogurt; 25 times the Vitamin A of Carrots; and 20 times the Iron in Spinach. All elements except the Vitamin C is increased when you dry the leaves in the shade. Drying the leaves in direct sunlight decreases its nutritional values.

Moringa leaves and its effects on blood pressure, blood sugar, breast milk production and anaemia:

In India, the leaves are used to normalize blood pressure and to treat anxiety. In 1994, a team of researchers identified a new nitride and mustard oil glycoside that demonstrated its ability to lower blood pressure.

Moringa leaves mixed with honey then followed with coconut milk drunk 2 to 3 times a day is used for diarrhoea, dysentery and colitis.

Moringa leaves have been observed and documented by doctors in the health projects to increase breast milk production and the health of nursing mothers. This is due to the nutrition in the leaves especially the protein, calcium and iron content.

Given to failure to thrive infants, it encourages weight gain and improved health due to the super packed nutritional content of the leaves.

Moringa leaves are given to improve anaemia in infants, children and adults because of its high iron content. Iron tablets cause stomach distress, constipation, and are difficult to digest. Iron tablets are not easy to obtain in these poor communities. Given their compromised digestive systems due to malnutrition, the iron tablets would most likely not even be utilized by the body.

Researchers have not identified all the various elements in the plant that affect these health problems. It may be that in the overall improvement of the patient’s nutritional status that these imbalances are corrected. Improved nutrition supports the patient’s own body mechanisms to heal and correct these conditions.

MORINGA BENEFITS

Here are the benefits of continuous intake of Moringa Tea:

1. Increases the natural defences of the body. 2. Provides nourishment to the eyes and the brain. 3. Promotes metabolism with bio-available ingredients. 4. Promotes the cell structure of the body. 5. Promotes natural serum cholesterol. 6. Lowers the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 7. Promotes the normal functioning of the liver and the kidney. 8. Beautifies the skin, Promotes energy. 9. Promotes proper digestion. 10. Acts as an antioxidant takes care of the immune system of the body. 11. promotes healthy circulatory system. 12. It is an anti-inflammatory. 13. Gives a feeling of general wellness. 14. Supports the normal sugar levels of the body.

For further information email azadehhassan@yahoo.co.uk and to Mr Matthias Ketteler projectaid@work.gm or send text to Dr Azadeh on 7774469/3774469.