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Moringa oleifera. It is also called, the miracle vegetable, because of the great health benefits it has. Miracle vegetable as it is, because it's not only used as food but it is used as water treatment and traditional medicine. Others call it, the drumstick tree, because of the long seed pods it has.

Edible Parts of Moringa

Leaves. The moringa leaves are commonly cooked as soup along with other vegetables, with fish or with chicken. It is blanched along with the flowers for salad dish.

Flowers. It can be cooked along with the leaves as a salad dish. It can be added with other green leafy vegetables for soup dishes.

Immature Seed Pods. They are cooked like curry in other asian countries. It's good for soup dish as well.

Mature Seed Pods. They can be roasted like nuts.

Remember that in cooking moringa, just like the other vegetables, will lose some of its nutritional value when it is heated above 60 degrees Celsius.

Moringa Used As Traditional Medicine

The leaves, flowers, roots and seed has been used as traditional medicines. The leaves are used to cleanse wood. It affects blood pressure and glucose levels. It relieves asthma, headache and stomachache.

Health Benefits of Moringa

Leaves. It is the most nutritious part of moringa. It is an excellent source of Vit A, B Vitamins, Vit C, Vit E and Vit K. It is a high source of minerals (calcium, iron), protein, manganese and beta carotene. A very potent antioxidant that reduces the appearance of wrinkles, it fights molecules that causes aging. It contains phytochemicals which can prevent the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Immature Seed Pods. It's an excellent source of Vit C. It contains dietary fiber that helps in bowel movement. It has magnesium, manganese and pottasium as well.

Mature Seed Pods. It has a high level of Vit C. It's also a source of B Vitamins and dietary minerals.

Important Things To Remember for Moringa Cultivation

Temperature. Moringa needs sunlight and loves the heat. It cannot thrive freezing temperatures.

Climate. It can be cultivated in all tropical countries.

Water. Moringa can live without expensive water system, it can thrive with rainwater. It's good to cultivate moringa in dry seasons.

Soil. Moringa cuttings or seedlings can grow best in a well-draining soil.

Planting Moringa By Cuttings. 1-2 meters long limb cuttings can be planted best from june to august.

Planting Moringa By Seedlings. Seeds can be planted an inch depth from the surface of the soil.

Moringa tree can reach about 10 meters in height. To regrow the pods and leaves, regular cut-back is need at least 1-2 meters.

Moringa helps improve nutrition because of the nutrients it contains. And since it is available all year round, it helps in food security. Moringa has already been used as flavour for noodles, bread and ice cream.

Here is a simple recipe of moringa soup. All you need are:

a bunch of moringa leaves
a bunch of squash flowers
salt or fish sause to taste

Put a little bit more than a cup of water in a pot, bring to boil. Add 2 tbsp of fish sause or  1 tbsp of salt. Then add the squash flowers, boil it for a minute. Add the moringa leaves, let it simmer for 2-3 minutes (Optional: You may add fried fish. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.)

Enjoy your soup!