Vernacular Name
General Description
Botanical Description
Chemical Composition
Potentials of Moringa
Vernacualar Name
The Moringa oleifera plant is known by several names in different languages throughout the world. Some common names are given below:
The Moringa Oleifera is a fast-growing, evergreen, deciduous medium-sized tree.
It is a perennial plant that is propagated by direct seed planting, seedling transplanting and mature stem cuttings.
It is classified as a vegetable that also serves as a medicinal plant.
Moringa is the only genus present in the monotypic family Moringaceae, which includes 13 species. The most common of these species is M. oleifera Lam, a tree that grows across the tropical zone. It is native to a range that spans from Angola to Namibia and Egypt to Kenya, as well as Madagascar, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arabian Peninsula
Moringa. oleifera contains more than 90 nutritional chemical compounds, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and dietary fibers. Additionally, M. oleifera also contains various minerals and vitamins. It is reported that moringa provides 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, 10 times more vitamin A than carrots, 17 times more calcium than milk, 9 times more protein than yogurt, 15 times more potassium than bananas, and 25 times more iron than spinach. The abundance of these vital nutrients in one plant is truly remarkable.
Potentials of Moringa
Moringa oleifera, has various applications in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, and other industries. It is highly valued worldwide for its economic, medicinal, and nutraceutical properties. In fact, it was honored as the “Botanical of the Year – 2007” by the National Institute of Health. Due to its numerous beneficial effects on health, nutrition, water sanitation, and the environment, it is often referred to as the miraculous tree or the Tree of Life. With its multidimensional utilities and rich phytochemical profile, M. oleifera serves as an excellent source for pharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals. The advancements in biotechnological techniques have further contributed to enhancing its overall commercial value.
