Malunggay

Called "Malunggay" in the Philippines, "Sajina" in the Indian Subcontinent, and "Moringa" in English, it is a popular tree. Many Asians use the leaves of Malunggay (Sajina) like spinach and also the fruit it produces as a vegetable, like asparagus. Both the leaves and the fruits are very nutritious, which contain many vitamins like Vitamin C and other minerals. For centuries, people in India, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand have been eating these leaves as a part of their food

Moringa Medicinal Studies

Detoxification - Studies have shown Moringa's ability to remove hazardous materials from water. Its usefulness in water purification has been demonstrated many times in University studies, in laboratories and in the field. This is now widely studied because it's estimated that 1.3 billion people in the world use contaminated water for drinking and cooking. It is estimated that 6 million children die each year from infections caused by unclean water.
Antibiotic - Moringa is used as a topical treatment for minor infections. Its antibiotic property is identified as Pterygospermin, a bacterial and fungicidal compound. Its chemical description is glucosinolate 4 alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy benzyl isothiocyanate. Studies have shown an agueous extract made from seeds was equally effective against the skin infecting bacteria Staphylococcus aureus as the antibiotic Neomycin.
Skin Treatment - Moringa has great healing benefits for the skin. It has been used to cure cuts, scrapes, sores, and rashes as well as cracking and other signs of aging.
Anti-inflammatory - The oral tradition of India has long praised Moringa as an anti inflammatory for use in healing wounds. Moringa was also found to be effective in trauma initiated chronic swelling.
Diabetes - An extract from the Moringa leaf has been shown to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels within 3 hours of ingestion, though less effectively than the standard hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide. The effects increased with larger doses.

Traditionally, Moringa has been used for years with no reports of negative side effects. The powder made from fresh Moringa leaves seems to provide a long-lasting energy boost when used regularly. People frequently report having much more endurance in their work, at home and at play.

Moringa Leave's Medicinal qualities
· Juice from the leaves is believed to have a stabilizing effect on blood pressure and is used to treat anxiety. It is believed to control glucose levels in cases of diabetes.
· Mixed with honey and followed by a drink of coconut milk 2 or 3 times a day, leaves are used as a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery and colitis.
· Leaf juice, sometimes with carrot juice added, is used as a diuretic. Eating leaves is recommended in cases of gonorrhea because of the diuretic action.
· Leaves and buds are rubbed on the temples for headache.
· A poultice is made from fresh leaves and applied to reduce glandular swelling
· Leaf juice is used as a skin antiseptic
· Leaves are used to treat fevers, bronchitis, eye and ear infections, scurvy, and catarrh (inflammation of the mucus membrane).
· Leaves are considered to be anthelmintic ( able to kill intestinal worms)
· Leaves are used as a purgative.
· Eating leaves is believed to increase a woman's milk production and is sometimes prescribed for anemia.

It is best known as an excellent source of nutrition and natural energy booster. This energy boost is not based on sugar so it is sustained. Moringa is also soothing. It helps lower blood pressure and is a sleep aid. Its detoxifying effect may come from Moringa's ability to purify water. Moringa acts as a coagulant attaching itself to harmful material and bacteria. It is believed that this process is taking place in the body as well.
Source: Moringa Nature's Medicine Chest - Sanford Holst

For pregnant and breast-feeding women, moringa leaves can do much to preserve the mother's health and pass on strength to the fetus or nursing child. It is prescribed for malnutrition.
Source: The Moringa Tree By Dr. Martin L. Price

Moringa Nutritional Values

Moringa Oleifera Nutritional Value of Leaves
Analysis of Moringa dried leaf powder contains
the following per 100 grams of edible portion

Moisture % 7.5
Calories 205
Protein (g) 27.1
Fat (g) 2.3
Carbohydrate (g) 38.2
Fiber (g) 19.2
Ca (mg) 2,003
MG (mg) 368
P (mg) 204
K (mg) 1,324
Cu (mg) 0.57
Fe (mg) 28.2
S (mg) 870
Oxalic acid (mg) 1.6%
Vitamin A-B carotene (mg) 16.3
Vitamin B - choline (mg) -
Vitamin B1 - thiamin (mg) 2.64
Vitamin B2 - riboflavin (mg) 20.5
Vitamin B3 - nicotinic acid (mg) 8.2
Vitamin C 0 ascorbic acid (mg) 17.3
Vitamin E tocopherol acetate mg) 113
Arginine (g/16gN) 1.33%
Histidine (g/16gN) 0.61%
Lysine (g/16gN) 1.32%
Tryptophan (g/16gN) 0.43%
Phenylanaline (g/16gN) 1.39%
Methionine (g/16gN) 0.35%
Threonine (g/16gN) 1.19%
Leucine (g/16gN) 1.95%
Isoleucine (g/16gN) 0.83%
Valine (g/16gN) 1.06%